On Sunday morning, I had a welcome change from the daily COVID-19 conversation; I met up with Alice Sharp to discuss pedagogy. I have been using the word, ‘pedagogy’ for many years and am delighted that it is finally making its way into the common parlance of Early Years colleagues. I know many are still … Continue reading Come and Have a Pedagogy Chat

In December, when I wrote my notes in preparation for my New Year blog, they were optimistic, with a focus on next steps for a national conversation to shape our shared understanding about modern childhood and a general recognition that children are not just our future to invest in but much more importantly they are … Continue reading The Early Years Locked out of Lock Down and No Promise of a Vaccine

2020, the year of living dangerously and the year of lockdown. L - Living at work O - Obesity: The Covid diet C - Cook, clean and carry on K - Kindness and keeping to the rules D - Dentist, opticians and hairdressers, DOH! Says Homer O - On mute... W - What's App. What's … Continue reading 2020: The Year of Living Dangerously

Last Friday (27 November 2020), the Duchess of Cambridge announced the results from her landmark public survey on the Early Years, ‘5 Big Questions on the Under Fives’, which launched in January this year. This marked the first time that the UK public was asked for its views on the topic of early childhood in … Continue reading The Duchess of Cambridge thanks the Early Years Sector for committing not to the quick win but for the BIG win

Growing up in a working-class family, the outlay on school shoes was always a concern.  The annual purchase of a pair of plain brown Start-Rite shoes was a worry (I wouldn’t have cared as I never appreciated my mother’s efforts thinking they were the worse shoes possible!). No one wanted to send their children to … Continue reading Please Sir, Can I Have Some Shoes?