In the original book – Continuous Provision, Alistair Bryce-Clegg covered what effective continuous provision should look like and how practitioners could achieve it by linking their provision directly to assessment. This new title: The Skills, demonstrates that in every area of continuous provision (like sand, water, role play, small world etc) there are 'pure' skills that children can only learn in that area and there are 'facilitative' skills that children can learn through that area. Each of these 'pure' and 'facilitative' skills needs to be acknowledged, assessed and taught and this is the premise of this new title. In The Skill of Continuous Provision Alistair: Revisits (briefly) the principles of effective continuous provision Looks at each area of continuous provision in turn and identifies a range of 'pure' and 'facilitative' skills Shows how the provision itself (resources) should be leveled 'top', 'middle' and 'emergent' to meet the development needs of all children irrespective of how old they are. Gives some comprehensive examples of how to break those skills down into top, middle, emergent e.g. in 'Paint' he identifies skills that children need to learn when using paint like texturising, application, printing etc. He then takes each of those skills individually and show how a skill like printing could be broken down into three broad stages. Asks and answers questions like: What would really basic, lower level printing look like? What sort of resources would facilitate effective learning in this area of development? By the end of the book the practitioner should have a really practical guide to differentiated skill development in continuous provision.

Getting continuous provision right is about ensuring that everything in your environment has been created to help children to learn in the absence of an adult. Continuous Provision in the Early Years will help you understand the purpose of continuous provision, how to ensure it is effective, and how to plan and tailor your activities to meet the interests and needs of the children in your setting. The book contains a mixture of theory and practical suggestions for both indoor and outdoor continuous provision. It also includes interesting case studies based on Alistair's extensive experience in early years settings. Highly readable and based on tried and tested techniques, this is an indispensable guide for all early years practitioners looking to get continuous provision right and make a positive impact.

The world of education is an amazing and rewarding world to be in, but there is a sense among many that work within it that there is something not quite right, that all is not well. In this book, Greg Bottrill explores how he ensures that, in his Early Years setting, continuous provision enables children. He shares his Early Years pedagogy through the ′3Ms′ and explains how to apply these in the classroom. Greg also explores the definition of play – what it is and what it isn’t – and the challenging role of the Early Years teacher. This book shares good practice in: early reading and the joy of reading early writing development boys writing the nature of outdoor play and how to make this truly ‘outdoor’ the role of parents in child development mathematics in play when and how to do intervention work with children how to get Headteachers and centre managers on board.

Essential reading for all Reception and Year One teachers, presenting a clear and practical map for effective transition to support children's emotional, social and academic development. Bestselling author Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg presents a clear map to support children as they move from the Early Years into Key Stage 1. Helping children make the transition into Year One is a challenge. When done well it can have a significant impact on children's social, emotional and academic development, but when done badly it can set some children's development back by up to a year. Dr Bryce-Clegg is determined to help practitioners conquer this challenge. Having been involved in a number of transition projects that specifically focus on children's development throughout this period, Alistair draws upon his experience in this book. Packed full of practical ideas to help practitioners to plan for and create an effective learning environment that promotes high levels of attainment in Year One based on the effective principles of EYFS practice, this book should be in every Reception and Year One teacher's library.

Evaluating Early Years Practice in Your School focuses on raising Early Years practitioners' confidence so that they worry less and achieve more. Linked to the teaching standards and the Ofsted framework, this invaluable guide looks at ways that teachers can evaluate their own EYFS practice to reduce unnecessary workload and allow for more 'hands-on' teaching and learning. Should children in Reception classes attend school assemblies? Should young children be taught to write in nursery? Should practitioners' plans be based on young children's specific interests or should they look to meet the needs of individuals entering Early Years settings with speech and language delay or autism? Early Years specialist Ann Langston considers all of these questions and more to present simple solutions for teachers and leaders on what to plan, what assessments are needed and how to approach teaching and learning. With chapters on observation and assessment, continuous provision, outdoor learning, transition, and internal and external evaluation, this book is ideal for all Early Years practitioners and leaders looking at ways to reflect on their approach to teaching and feel confident about their own judgements and the effectiveness of their practice.

Children are born naturally mathematical, so why is it sometimes so difficult to observe children being mathematical? Why do so many of us think we are ‘bad’ at maths and how does this subconsciously affect the provision, experiences and opportunities we provide for young children who are starting their mathematical learning journey? This easily accessible book will help you to realise the wonderful mathematical learning happening in your setting all day and every day through the familiar resources and experiences routinely offered to young children. It will help you to think more reflectively about what you are providing for children and suggest ways of making provision richer and more exciting for you and the children in your care. With chapters linked to areas of continuous provision including sand, water, dough, role play, music, outdoors and ICT among many others, this book features: A wide range of activities including key questions, vocabulary and advice on observations Lists of key resources Ideas to support children’s mathematical mark making Useful links to stories and rhymes to engage children and promote mathematical learning Links to other areas of learning and development Suggestions for involving parents Providing a wealth of exciting, meaningful, play-based ways to promote mathematical learning and create a maths rich environment, this highly practical book will help you to develop young children’s confidence and enjoyment of maths through your everyday provision. It is a perfect resource for Early Years Practitioners working in all settings, as well as those studying on childcare, Early Childhood and Early Years Professional Status courses.

Children learn best when they follow their own interests. They have a natural desire to explore, communicate, create and learn. Anna Ephgrave has developed her practice to ensure this is possible. Children thrive when a setting is organised and managed by the adults, but led by the children. They learn and develop if they are in a stimulating environment which is carefully organised and when observations are used to support their "next steps". They take risks and surpass expectations when they have clear routines and boundaries, combined with a supportive staff and an enabling environment. The Reception Year in Action offers a unique insight into the workings of a highly successful reception class as it progresses through a complete academic year. Covering all aspects of working with young children, the book clearly explains how the classroom and garden are organised and the boundaries that are in place to keep children safe, happy and free to explore and learn. It then sets out the examples of learning and development that occurred during each month, as well as any surprises, activities and examples of "next steps" that came about as a result of events. At each stage Anna Ephgrave gives the reason behind the decisions and shows what the outcomes have been for the children. Key features include: explanation of a system of spontaneous planning detailed advice on how to use different environments to support play and learning guidance on the role of the adult and working with parents ways to support children’s individual interests, cirumstances and talents including those with special needs and English as an additional language photocopiable pages of planning sheets, record keeping sheets, sample letters to parents and role play resources over 150 full-colour photographs to illustrate practice list of resources and materials examples of recorded observations and planning for next steps foreword by Helen Bilton. This book aims to inspire teachers by giving them the practical ideas, and evidence of success, to work in a way that is rewarding, manageable and, above all, best for the children in their care.