Share and Inspire

Childcare Expo

childcareexpo — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:59:27 +0000

Childcare Expo is The UK’s National Exhibition and Networking Event for the Early Years, Childcare and Nursery Sector.

The UK children’s day care nurseries market was worth £3.9 billion * in 2008. Despite the current economic crisis, it still rose by 4% in 2008,* which adds to the exceptional growth that the industry has seen over the last 10 years. (sources by Laing and Buisson) Due to the growth of the industry, it is vitally important that practitioners within the market keep up to date with current news, products and information.

Childcare Expo, sponsored by Morton Michel Insurance, is an event catered to all decision makers within the early years, childcare and nursery sector. It will bring together key industry experts with suppliers to create a stimulating and inspiring environment for all professionals within the sector.

Visitors are welcome to ‘try and buy’ from the suppliers as well as the opportunity to attend an eclectic range of seminars and practical workshops which will be lead by specialists within the early years market. The exhibitors and speakers will offer first hand, informative advice to cater to your business needs.

It’s an ideal occasion to meet with your business partners, staff or other child carers and take a trip to Childcare Expo. We guarantee that you will leave feeling inspired, enthused and full of new ideas to maximise your business to its full potential.

Childcare Expo is being held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on the 28th – 29th September 2010.

Childcare Expo is recommended to all in these professions:
Nursery Owner/Operators/Managers
Nursery Chain Executives/Directors/Managers
Private Nursery Operators
Professional Childcarers
Crèche and Playgroup Providers
Children’s Homes/School Groups Providers
Children’s Centre Managers
Everyone in the childcare industry.

Childcare Expo is free for all to attend. Register for your free tickets online at www.childcareexpo.co.uk.

EYFS and Childminding

Jill — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:59:26 +0000

As a Registered Childminder following the EYFS for all my pre-school children currently, I understood that when these children start reception class, that I would not need to continue will all the extensive observations, and assessments that I am doing at the moment for them. As they will effectively become before and after school children and only be with me for aprox 3 hours per day I feel this not necessary. A child does not count in our under 5′s ratio once they start reception so does anyone know the answer to my question that should we be continuing with the paperwork until the 31st Aug following their 5 birthday irrespective of whether they are in reception class or not.

Are stickle bricks safe for very young children?

Pamela — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:59:16 +0000

I have a toddler of 1 year old and I would love to introduce him to some Stickle Bricks but I’m unsure if they’re suitable- can anyone provide me with any advice. Thank you very much in advance!

Balance Bikes: Your Thoughts, Opinions and Stories

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:05:12 +0000

We’re now selling balance bikes on early years at home and we’ve had a great response from customers. Balance bikes are a great way to learn how to ride and balance at a young age. They help kids develop motor skills and muscle groups needed later in life.

We think many children could skip the stabalisers and go straight for the balance bike. Kids can use their feet to stabalise themselves so they learn how to push themselves carefully from side to side naturally and therefore learn how to adjust their body weight in order gain balance. Kids learn how to ride much more quickly like this.

What are your thoughts on balance bikes?

Language development

Miranda — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:34:10 +0000

There has been some research reported in the news that childrens language develops better with conversation than with having a book read to them. I am sure it does, but you can encourage interaction and conversation whilst reading a book, and engender a love of books and reading at the same time. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

the Gruffalo

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:59:30 +0000

Hi. The kids in my nursery love the Gruffalo story. Does anyone have any good ideas for related activities?

EYFS questionnaire

Donna — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:18:31 +0000

I stumbled across this -

http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_22487.aspx

the QCA are conducting some research into how the EYFS has been recieved by practitioners so that they can understand the challenges in its implementation as well as its identified strengths.Follow the link to give your feedback.

Adult led activities

shelley — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:18:22 +0000

I find that the children I care for all get on so well together that they play much better on their own than when I try to do “activities” with them. When I read childminding magazines I feel bad that I don’t do more challenging activities with them (and I worry there is less to write in their diaries/bring home) but they have a lot of fun just playing in an unstructured way. What % of time do people spend on “adult-led” crafts and story time etc based activities?

Grant funding?

Sally — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:17:34 +0000

Anyone any positive experiences to share regarding successful grants/funding applications?

Swine Flu precautions

Sally — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:17:31 +0000

Has anyone put any preventative measures/contingency plans in place? If so, what are they?