No need to worry about batteries running out with this set of 6 brightly coloured Easi-Torches, which comes with a rechargeable docking station and battery life indicator. The LED bulbs also mean that the torch light doesn’t dim – you get a constant brightness. Easy to use with a chunky on/off switch, these robust torches are great for studying light, creating shadows or using in dens. Read more

Give these Stripy Berry Desserts a try and make learning tasty. Cooking in the classroom is made easy with these specially designed, appealing free recipes. They are supported by activities that link the ingredients and practical experience to the curriculum, especially Maths, English and Science. Read more

Development Matters 2012 (guidance material supporting practitioners in implementing the statutory requirements of the EYFS) recommends the use of resources that stimulate babies to handle and manipulate things. We all know that manipulative toys create a world of opportunities for children to explore. Well-placed wall panels in accessible areas will quickly encourage even the youngest explorer how to push, pull, press, twist and turn. Make the most of available space by utilising lower wall areas, ensuring resources are at a suitable height for children to reach. You can observe how children learn by looking at their levels of involvement, their focus and their curiosity. Do children persist until they have achieved what they set out to do? Do they like a challenge? Do they show satisfaction when they have achieved what they set out to do? Read more

Make Rudolph and his friends fly through your classroom with this wonderful 3D Art display idea, perfect activity for the whole class and all ages! Read more

Giving a child social and communication skills is the most important aspect of early childhood development. Open-ended, quality resources will give children the opportunity to improve their confidence, state their own opinions and share ideas. They encourage children to initiate their own conversation. Read more

Pokémon Go...the new, extremely popular craze is an augmented reality mobile game, that has captured the attention of children and even adults! Find, catch and collect Pokémon and train them to fight battles. The app uses your phone’s camera and mobile GPS to locate Pokémon around you in the real world. (Beware as this drains your battery life quite quickly and uses your data). But, did you know there are educational links to playing the game? Read more

Guided reading is an activity where children gather together with you to read a section of a book. Afterwards, the group discusses the book and the development of the story. The main focus of the club is for them to engage in dialogue about the text they are reading and to do this at regular intervals as the book progresses. It also provides you, with a good opportunity to discuss features of the text and to engage the children at a deeper level. Read more

'Free Range' chicken rules mean that my dinner must have spent at least half of its time outdoors, had a minimum outdoor space per chicken, and had free and open access to the outdoors during the daytime. These requirements are widely agreed to be what chickens need for their physical and mental wellbeing, and they are far more demanding than any regulations or guidance we have for children! Read more

Did you know that if Queen Elizabeth II had been born in the summer months, she wouldn’t have had a second birthday? The Queen’s actual birthday is on the 21st April but she celebrates it on a Saturday in June, when the weather is likely to be nicer. Her Majesty is celebrating her 90th birthday today, and on the 2nd of June she will also celebrate 63 years since she became Queen. Read more

Your school sports day is one of those events that everyone remembers, whether it’s good or bad. Being the one in charge can be daunting, but the event can and should be enjoyable for everyone – even if the responsibility lies with you! Read more

To celebrate their award-winning ‘Learn About Nature’ Collection, our friends at Eden Learning Spaces have given us a ‘Seasons Pack’ worth £300 to giveaway to you! One lucky winner will receive a Summer Meadow Floor Cushion Bean Bag, an Autumn Leaves Bean Bag, 3 small Tree Stump Bean Bags and 3 Grass Grab-and-Go Cushions. Read more

The benefits to taking a class trip to a forest school and learning outside are endless, but by creating your own forest school on site you can design activities that offer deeper learning opportunities whilst meeting the learning requirements of the national curriculum. Read more

In the early years this core British Value is all about helping children to develop respect for their own and others’ cultures, whilst exploring similarities and differences. It links to the EYFS areas of People and Communities (Understanding the World) and Making Relationships (Personal, Social and Emotional Development). These 5 resources have been tried, tested and recommended by our practitioners as the perfect way to develop understanding of these concepts through every day play. Read more

In the early years this core British Value is all about helping children to develop respect for their own and others’ cultures, whilst exploring similarities and differences. It links to the EYFS areas of People and Communities (Understanding the World) and Making Relationships (Personal, Social and Emotional Development). These 5 resources have been tried, tested and recommended by our practitioners as the perfect way to develop understanding of these concepts through every day play. Read more

One of the 4 core British Values is Rule of Law, but how on earth do we help young children to understand this concept? It’s much simpler than it first appears! Here are the top 5 resources as recommended by practitioners which essentially will help children to understand the concept of ‘rules’, and to learn to distinguish between right and wrong. Rule of Law links to the EYFS area of Managing Feelings and Behaviour (part of Personal, Social and Emotional Development). Read more

It’s easier than you think to help young children gain an understanding of the 4 core British Values. Here are the top 5 resources as recommended by our early years practitioners to help children understand the concept of Democracy – essentially encompassing decision-making, turn-taking and collaboration. Read more