Tips & Advice

Articles with Tips and advice from Is It Time To Play.

EYFS Autumn Term: Why I’d Ignore the Wednesday Panic (And What I’d Focus on Instead)

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There’s a particular kind of Wednesday that happens every September for EYFS teachers. Phonics has started. Maths has started. SLT have asked about book looks. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, you catch yourself looking at your continuous provision and thinking: this isn’t working, I need to change it. I know that … Read more

Why September in EYFS Feels Like Teaching Everything

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Why September in EYFS Feels Like Teaching Everything– a blog post by @MrsG_EYFS Whenever people ask what we teach in Reception in September, I never quite know where to start. Of course, we’re teaching phonics. We’re teaching maths. We’re teaching communication and language. But honestly, it feels like we’re teaching absolutely everything. In September, nothing … Read more

The Reality of Being a Reception Teacher in the Summer Term

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The Reality of Being a Reception Teacher in the Summer Term. A blog post by MrsG_Eyfs The summer term is busy for everyone in school—sports days, school plays, assessments. But in Reception, there’s an added layer that often goes unseen. Alongside everything else, you’re already preparing for September: visiting nurseries, meeting parents, liaising with SENDCos—while … Read more

PSED in EYFS: How Emotional Regulation Is Built Through Provision, Routines and Relationships

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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

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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

Building positive communication and relationships with parents in EYFS

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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

Supporting Remembrance in the Early Years

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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