**Nursery World Award finalist** From a leading voice in the early years community comes an accessible, dip in, dip out guide to all the hot topics in the sector. Born from questions raised on her early years blog, June O’Sullivan brings a combination of advice, good humour and plain speaking to address themes that come up time and time again. With entries ranging from apprenticeships to inspection, pedagogy to social enterprise, this wise and entertaining book will encourage conversation and change. From nursery managers to newly qualified teachers to experienced practitioners and educators, it has something for everyone. Ideal to read with a cup of tea when you’re snatching a 10 minute break.

Combining a rich theoretical foundation with practical tips, advice and case studies, Messy Play in the Early Years provides an informative and practical exploration of the unique qualities, characteristics and learning possibilities of messy play. Packed with valuable insights from research and theory, along with practitioner’s experiences, this accessible book will bolster readers’ understanding and appreciation of messy play and demonstrate how a range of material engagements can enhance young children’s development and learning. Exploring an array of resources and a broad spectrum of approaches, including adult-and child-led inquiry, chapters consider how the specific sensory qualities of materials encourage problem-solving, scientific thinking, creativity, self-regulation and self-expression as children discover and make sense of new phenomena. With examples of international practice and reflective questions throughout, the book highlights a variety of approaches to meeting differing time, space and budgetary needs, simplifies preparation and planning, and empowers practitioners and children to understand and use messy play effectively. An essential guidebook to supporting an engaging and rewarding journey into messy play, Messy Play in the Early Years will be an invaluable resource for early years students, practitioners and parents looking to understand and enhance children’s learning possibilities.

Previous ed.: London: Paul Chapman, 2006.

A pack of 4 workbooks that provide pre-schoolers with reinforcement and consolidation of skills. Each workbook covers one section of the alphabet.

This new edition of Cathy Nutbrown′s much loved book explains the key ideas and issues in Early Childhood clearly and concisely, keeping students up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. There are brand new entries on: - Attachment - Babies′ learning and development - Children′s Centres - Citizenship - Digital Technologies - Early Years Foundation Stage - Early Years Professional Status - Neuroscience - Sexualities The rest of the book has also been thoroughly updated and revised, and includes coverage of heuristic play, Early Literacy Development and Parental Involvement. The book offers starting points which provide a clear focus, further reading and discussion of research on thirty-five key topics. It is a must for students following courses in early childhood education and care. Professor Cathy Nutbrown directs and teaches on Masters and Doctoral programmes in Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield.

...a major contribution to the limited literature and research on leadership in childhood education.′ - Professor Tony Bush, Editor of Educational Management, Administration and Leadership. ′This important book focuses clearly on evidence, describing the realities of leading and managing settings in times of rapid policy changes. Carol Aubrey manages to combine theory, research and practice in a book that will be invaluable to a new generation of early years professionals.′ - Angela Anning, Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Leeds, UK ′..skilfully draws on sound empirical research to present a grounded theory model for leadership in early years education. ....of interest to researchers, students and practitioners internationally.′ - Professor Nithi Muthukrishna, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa This Second Edition of Leading and Managing in the Early Years explores and integrates leadership and management practice with a real understanding of early years settings. Revised and updated, this new edition includes: - Two new chapters on private day care and reflective practice and action research - Further coverage of reflective practice and reflective leadership skills - More on EYPS as well as integrated centre leadership - Practical suggestions for working with resistant groups and individuals. Carol Aubrey investigates different concepts and characteristics of Early Childhood (EC) leadership as well as the roles and responsibilities of EC leaders. She also explores the types of leadership programmes or development which are needed to maximise the effectiveness of EC leaders. This book is essential reading for students in Early Childhood courses, Early Years Practitioners and local authority employees involved with the integrated centres initiative. Carol Aubrey is Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Warwick.

Giving early years practitioners and students the confidence to effectively support scientific exploration and investigation with young children, this book explains the science behind young children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Linking theory to good early years practice, the emphasis throughout the book is on recognizing young children as competent, creative thinkers and building on their ideas. The reader is encouraged to think carefully about the role of the adult in supporting child-initiated learning and discovery by providing open ended resources, asking productive questions and observing carefully. The authors provide essential background information for all the key areas of scientific knowledge supported by practical ideas suitable for babies, toddlers and children aged 3 to 5 years. For each of these ideas, practice and theory are linked by highlighting the skills, attitudes and dispositions to observe and the questions to ask to challenge young children's thinking and plan for the next stages in their learning. Chapters cover: - the place of science in early years curricula in the UK - the processes of science and the role of the adult in supporting young children's scientific learning - using open ended resources to create a science-rich environment - essential background knowledge, covering all areas of early years science - ideas to use as starting points for exploration and investigation, indoors and outdoors - pointers for observational assessment and planning - suppliers of resources and equipment By making clear links to practice, and providing ideas to use with babies and toddlers as well as with 3-5 year old children, this book enables the reader to fully exploit the potential for exploration and investigation in any early years setting. Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton are both Education Consultants based in Cheltenham. They run their own training and consultancy company alc associates, and edit Early Years Update.

This indispensible guide uses a unique glossary format to explore some of the key themes in play in early childhood, many of which regularly arise for students, tutors, parents and practitioners. As well as covering key concepts, theories and influential figures in the field, the book considers important aspects of each construct and highlights the complexity of play in early childhood. Each section of the book: Outlines key aspects of a construct in relation to play Includes a wide range of references Summarizes research from an international perspective Offers insights from other well known figures with expertise in play This book takes the stance that play is vital to children’s holistic development, self-efficacy and well-being and that play, and playful learning and teaching, is the essential ingredient in order for children to develop enthusiastic dispositions to learning. This positive view of play draws on the author’s extensive experience and observations of children playing in preschool settings, early years classrooms, out in the park and in different home situations. This essential reference book is vital reading for all those working and playing with young children and students on early childhood courses. “Janet Moyles consistently provides informed and valuable insights in her writing about the contested world of play. Her work is guaranteed to be informed by watching and listening to children, by her understanding of what they say and think, as well as by her wide-ranging knowledge of significant research in the field. In this, A-Z of Play in Early Childhood, Janet demonstrates her encyclopaedic knowledge of the field which will be of enormous value to those studying play who are looking for explanations, references and cross references. Indeed, the introduction should be used as a base text for those beginning their studies of play. Janet writes in a brilliantly authoritative style as she draws in research and researchers who surround quite contentious and complex issues. This is a scholarly text and is to be trusted.” Dr Kathy Goouch, Reader in Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK “In this fascinating and engaging text, Janet Moyles does not attempt to define play. Rather, through a deceptively simple glossary, she illustrates and explores the complexity of play in early childhood. Each entry draws on theory and research from the UK and beyond in order to outline and summarise current thinking and to support further exploration of key ideas. This text will be invaluable to early childhood students and practitioners and to all those interested in extending their thinking about play.” Professor Trisha Maynard, Director, Research Centre for Children, Families and Communities, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK “Those of us who have prepared indexes know about the serendipity of insights gained and new connections made. Here Janet Moyles shares with us her understanding and reflection on play gleaned from many years of writing about (and indexing) play. This book certainly works a useful dictionary to remind us of what (for example) ‘epistemic play’ means, but I would advise readers to approach it more playfully. The innovative index-as-chapter-heading tempts you to flick across to other sections and Moyles’s explanations and discursive comments lead your thinking out from the particular entry into wider consideration of the importance of play. The imaginative use of photographs to illustrate entries, combined with illustrative examples, helps to make distinctions between the different types/aspects of play, and unobtrusive referencing is available for those who have been inspired to pursue particular interests further.” Dr Jan Georgeson, Research Fellow in Early Education Development, Plymouth University, UK “Janet’s brilliant idea - coupled with her characteristic meticulous application - has provided early childhood education and care with a rich treasure trove: a book to use for reference, as a starting point for reflection, a spark for debate and, importantly, a reiteration of the central role of play in the lives of children.” Tricia David, Emeritus Professor, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

Managing the behaviour of young children can be a real challenge, this book provides you with 100 tried and tested ideas for the long, medium and short term. It shows how to select and adopt the right approach, how to analyze, reflect on and modify practice to ensure consistency and fairness and that positive behaviour develops. Each of the 100 ideas focuses on a single strategy, and looks at: - structures and systems; - using fun, child-orientated resources; - rewarding good behaviour, and managing sanctions; - the advanftages of various approaches; - case studies from practice; - adaptations of strategies for different settings and ages. The book suggests lively strategies that keep behaviour management fresh and effective. Advice is given to support children with Special Educational Needs and examples of behaviour management in different settings are shared. An easily accessible guide for all practitioners working with children aged 3 to 8.

′This book is a very useful resource for setting leaders undertaking advanced study, such as Early Years Professional Status and the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership...[I]t is also an interesting and up-to-date reference tool for qualified managers and leaders of early years settings, large and small, in all sectors′ - Early Years Update ′Through discussion points and case studies, the authors explore the key skills and techniques necessary to effectively lead and manage an early years setting - Nursery Education Plus, as part of their ′Ten of the Best early years professional books′ feature. `This book will make a relevant and helpful contribution in enabling practitioners to explore and understand the different ways in which they can lead and manage across a diverse range of settings and at different levels. Through helpful discussion points and case studies, the book will encourage practitioners to consider both theory and practice, including value based practice and the skills required for working within a new multi-disciplinary environment. A welcome and accessible text for early years practitioners facing the challenges and demands of this new agenda′ - Professor Linda Miller, Professor of Early Years, The Open University Firmly grounded in practice, this book puts children and families at the centre of good early years leadership. There is now considerable emphasis on leadership skills in this sector, as the workforce becomes increasingly professionalized. The following are considered: - changes and developments within the early years sector - the impact of good leadership on children and their families - effective practice in a variety of settings, including Children′s Centres - value-based leadership, and inspirational leadership - meeting the challenges - managing change - inter-agency and multi-disciplinary working - working with families and parent groups. Useful features such as Activities for Continuing Professional Development, Questions for Reflection and Pictures of Practice appear throughout the book. Those studying for Foundation Degrees, leaders undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL), those undertaking the management modules for Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and anyone studying Childhood and Early Childhood will find this book an invaluable aid.