Warwickshire County Council Early Years

Starting school is a big step - and books can help 💙

Take a look at our recommended books for teachers helping children begin Reception with confidence and enthusiasm.

🐞✨ Ladybird Sensory Maths Fun! ✨🐞

Looking for a hands-on way to explore maths in the early years? Why not try a Ladybird Sensory Set-Up! 🧮🌿

This playful activity combines sensory exploration with key mathematical concepts such as counting, matching, subitising, and number recognition. Using ladybird-themed resources like red and black pom-poms, number stones, dot cards, and natural materials, children can:
🔴 Count and match spots on ladybirds
🔢 Explore number bonds using ladybird wings
👀 Practise subitising with dot patterns
🌿 Sort by size, colour, or number of spots
It’s a brilliant way to spark curiosity and build early maths skills through play. Plus, it’s easy to adapt for indoor or outdoor learning!

Thankyou Little Critters Childminding for sharing your wonderful set up.

Supporting Children as They Start School

As children prepare to make the exciting transition from their early years setting to school, the effective transfer of information plays a vital role in supporting their wellbeing, learning and development.

High-quality information sharing is much more than an administrative task. It helps schools build a clear picture of each child, ensuring they receive the right support from the very beginning.

Why is it so important?

Continuity of Learning and Development
Sharing accurate and up-to-date information, including transition summaries, EYFS assessments and details of children's interests and achievements, helps teachers build on what children already know and can do.

Safeguarding and Welfare
Relevant information about a child's wellbeing, family circumstances or safeguarding needs should be shared securely and appropriately. This helps schools provide timely support and ensures children remain safe during periods of change.

Supporting Children with Additional Needs
Clear communication about SEND, health conditions, interventions and successful strategies enables schools to plan effectively and put appropriate support in place from day one.

Promoting Positive Transitions
When schools understand a child's strengths, interests, routines and individual preferences, children are more likely to settle quickly, feel secure and develop positive relationships with their new teachers and peers.

Sharing Information Securely
All records should be transferred in line with GDPR requirements and local policies, ensuring information is accurate, relevant and shared only with those who need to know.

Working in Partnership with Families
Parents and carers should be kept informed throughout the transition process. Strong partnerships help ensure everyone is working together to support the child's best interests.

By prioritising timely, accurate and meaningful information sharing, we can help every child experience a positive transition and the best possible start to their school journey.

💭 How does your setting ensure important information is shared effectively to support children as they move on to school?

https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/sites/default/files/retention_periods_for_records_aug_13.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawTZaphleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBxbUthTjdYM245M21pU2pZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgfS9KOuOBNBiqTl61ZLLwi2wT1AgRkhSGPqd97gP7uhyHZyl4BobDZeIHGf_aem_-TJQ0h4H39yog-zD6R8-5w

How Children Make Friends

https://abcdoes.substack.com/p/how-children-make-friends-by-dr-alistair?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0e0mm6kx&fbclid=IwY2xjawTiaGpwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR44tUSI90MYbFUonLX8O69_Xp1VOjScE4it0ajllJ6WqIdYpw6v6vb6jo8XSQ_aem_wmVZZrhxf-acnYbpgBsN-g

Special Edition Warwickshire Family Information Service Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/warwickshire/family-information-service-newsletter-8833941?e=9fee6585cc

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-all-vulnerable-babies-better

Protecting all vulnerable babies better National safeguarding practice review into the death of baby Victoria Marten.

https://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/learning-library/articles/let-the-outdoors-be-your-classroom?mtm_campaign=pebble&mtm_source=cij-email&mtm_medium=email&mtm_placement=nurseries&fbclid=IwY2xjawThHl5wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMHFtS2FON1gzbjkzbWlTallzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeIBOMRavXgTTIw-WQ56Q0aX1H1YrxBMkcwLdhxA_K2Rn273eozcFjfBRtcU8_aem_YFX8ud9rHFVd9L3VHLOBnA

🌊🐠 Dive into Ocean-Themed Learning! 🐠🌊

Bring the wonders of the sea into your early years setting with ocean-themed activities that spark curiosity and creativity – all while supporting the EYFS areas of learning.

🧠 Understanding the World: Explore marine life, habitats, and the importance of keeping our oceans clean. Use books, videos, and real-world objects like shells and sand to inspire discovery.

🎨 Expressive Arts and Design: Create jellyfish from paper plates, paint underwater scenes, or build a coral reef from recycled materials. Let imaginations swim wild!

📚 Communication and Language: Dive into ocean stories, sing sea-themed songs, and encourage children to describe what they see, hear, and feel.

🔢 Mathematics: Count fish, sort sea creatures by size or colour, and explore patterns in shells and waves.

🌍 Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Talk about caring for the environment and how we can protect sea life together.

Let’s make a splash with learning that’s meaningful, memorable, and full of wonder! 💙

Thankyou From the Nest - Childminding Services for sharing your wonderful activities.

Why Children Pretend to be Cats! (and other animals)

https://abcdoes.substack.com/p/why-children-pretend-to-be-cats-and?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0e0mm6kx&fbclid=IwY2xjawThHMhwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4QZJdPYCzofstfMa5YDuvn8zXCuQQNhy_gz8k9qEPfWPMB_UcclV9lVuOmog_aem_mubHTtzmRNuBxcfvVF9MTw

Safeguarding: Everyone's Responsibility

Safeguarding is at the heart of high-quality early years practice. The Department for Education's safeguarding guidance supports practitioners to understand their vital role in protecting children from harm, recognising the signs of abuse and neglect, and responding appropriately when concerns arise.

Creating a safe, nurturing environment where children feel secure, listened to and valued is fundamental to children's wellbeing and development.

Early years practitioners should:
✅ Understand the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect.
✅ Know how and when to report safeguarding concerns.
✅ Be confident in following their setting's safeguarding procedures.
✅ Work effectively with other professionals and agencies to support children and families.
✅ Keep their safeguarding knowledge and training up to date.
✅ Ensure policies, procedures and safer working practices meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Regular reflection and discussion can help ensure safeguarding remains a priority across the whole team.

💭 Would all staff in your setting feel confident recognising a concern and knowing exactly what action to take?

https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safeguarding?fbclid=IwY2xjawTZaixleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBxbUthTjdYM245M21pU2pZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsbY3SH_H4bNrb8ZcC_BGLbPH9YMt_igt8eL-3tIdFGfIk19E7GEqMMCOzTR_aem_mOW_jMTn2KlbmnXE1eJe1w