There’s a particular moment in Spring 2 that feels familiar to so many Reception teachers. It’s not that the children suddenly change. It’s that the pressure does. Conversations get sharper.Meetings feel weightier.And we start asking ourselves:Have I covered every gap?Have I planned enough? It’s easy to wind up with a long list of timetabled interventions, … Read more
Winter Magic in EYFS: Turning Frosty Days into Learning Adventures. A blog post by MrsG_EYFS. It struck me this year just how much winter topics truly belong to the Spring term. Strange, isn’t it? But it’s true! Two out of three of our winter months are in the first half of the Spring term. So, … Read more
Feeling pressure to create Pinterest-perfect provision? This blog explores why purposeful provision in EYFS is about learning, interaction and sustainability, not elaborate set-ups This isn’t a criticism of individual teachers, their creativity, or the care they put into their classrooms. Every EYFS practitioner is thinking about learning, because that’s the job. The conversation around purposeful … Read more
PSED in EYFS Isn’t a Bolt-On and in this blog post Emma (Is it Time to Play?’s Founder explores why provision, routines, interactions and every adult matters. What PSED Really Means in EYFS By this point in January, the classroom often looks more settled. Routines are back in place.Children know where they’re going.The day feels … Read more
Learning in the Little Things: Unlocking Everyday Magic in EYFS. A blog post by MrsG_EYFS. Have you ever noticed how the simplest moments— a child stacking blocks, sharing a snack, or asking “why?”— can hold the seeds of powerful learning? In early years education, it’s not just the big, planned activities that shape development. It’s … Read more
Festive Fun Without Losing Focus: Keeping Routines in Early Years. A blog post by MrsG_EYFS. Nativity plays, Christmas concerts, fairs, jumper days, festive dinners— the holiday season brings endless excitement to schools. But with all the sparkle comes a whirlwind of change, and in early years settings, that can feel even more intense. Special Christmas … Read more
When big national reviews are released, it can feel like a tidal wave of new information.But underneath the reports, the frameworks and the press releases… what really matters is how it lands in our classrooms. So let’s break down what this year’s Curriculum and Assessment Review means for us in EYFS and KS1, without the … Read more
Building positive communication and relationships with parents in EYFS: from newsletters to face to face chats. A blog post by MrsG_EYFS. Behind every successful early years classroom is a strong partnership between parents and teachers. This relationship is built on trust, consistency, shared goals and good communication. Starting Strong So where to start in building … Read more
Developing early writing comes through building confidence and nurturing joy in mark making. Discover how writing develops in the Early Years- from mark making to meaningful communication. Explore the importance of fine motor skills, talk, and continuous provision in nurturing confident, joyful writers. Those First Magical Marks It usually starts with a proud grin and … Read more
Supporting Remembrance in the Early Years is about finding gentle, meaningful ways to help young children understand themes of belonging, peace and family. In this post, I share why marking Remembrance matters in EYFS and KS1 settings, how children can explore big ideas through play and story, and introduce the new Royal British Legion resource … Read more
If you’ve ever spent a day in an EYFS classroom, you’ll know that children never really stop communicating, even when they’re not speaking.A raised eyebrow, a shared giggle, a quiet moment of concentration… it all tells a story. Communication and Language is one of the three prime areas of the EYFS, and for good reason. … Read more
Walk into any EYFS classroom and you’ll see it straight away: adults at the heart of it all.They’re not just “extra pairs of hands.” They’re co-players, guides, scaffolds, observers, and comfort-givers. The right adult interaction can transform play into powerful learning. But here’s the truth nobody really prepares you for: sometimes, there simply aren’t enough … Read more