Blog

I created my first nursery website in 2018. At the time, it wasn’t about marketing or growth. It was about practicality. Parents were asking the same questions repeatedly. Ofsted wanted to see evidence of communication. Staff needed clarity. I needed a way to show, not just tell, what our setting was really like. What I didn’t realise then was how powerful that decision would become. Today, a website and social media presence are no longer “nice extras” for early years setti

Gardening is something many early years settings want to do with children — but it can also feel surprisingly hard to get right. Practitioners often say they’re unsure: what to grow when to grow it how to make it meaningful rather than a one-off activity how to fit it into busy days and limited outdoor spaces The good news is that early years gardening doesn’t need to be complicated, expensive or led by “expert” gardeners. When approached in a simple, thoughtful way, it can b

In early childhood, our actions carry weight—not just for the here and now, but for the seeds we plant for generations to come. Bringing eco-friendly thinking into an early years setting is more than a “nice to have.” It’s an investment in children’s understanding, identity, and lifelong habits. At my setting we discovered that if we put into practice, even small changes, done thoughtfully over time, they can ripple out in ways we never anticipated. My College Below, I share

At Early Insights, I believe that the best learning happens when curiosity meets community.  Inviting visitors into our early years...

When it comes to early years education, there’s often pressure to invest in the latest toys, equipment, and learning resources. Shiny...

My Journey to a Child Centred Approach When I was at the University of Worcester studying my Foundation Degree I was blown away by the...

In the world of early years education, it’s easy to get swept up in the language of progress—milestones, assessments, school readiness....

Downloadable Reflective Checklist here... In his 1943 paper "A theory of Human Motivation" Abraham Maslow set out his Hierarchy of Needs...

In Early Years education, the environment is often described as the third teacher . Alongside practitioners and families, it plays a...

What is Mark Making and how does it develop? Mark making is a term used for the creation of different patterns, lines, textures and...

First Published by James Boddey in 2019 The feeling I want to share with you through this post is my joy and the importance of really...

First Published by James Boddey in 2019 Serendipity is defined as a “fortunate happenstance” or “pleasant surprise”. It was coined by...