Posts by Mark Shotton
Christmas Book Recommendations for Early Years Settings
‘Tis the season! The run-up to Christmas in Early Years is always hectic yet joyous: nativity performances, crafts, decorations, glitter everywhere, alongside the everyday observations and caregiving. All of this makes being an Early Years Practitioner not only challenging but profoundly rewarding. The smiles, the wonder, and the small moments of connection remind us why…
Read MoreHow to Consider a Sustainability Leadership and Climate Action Plan in your Setting.
Context A study conducted by Nature found that a child born in 2020 will experience an ‘unprecedented increase’ in extreme weather events over their lifetime, and their world will be ‘fundamentally shaped by the climate crisis.’ The Department for Education (DfE) recognises that education settings have a vital role to play in responding to climate…
Read MoreForest School: Learning Outdoors
As we are amid Spring and the weather improves, we naturally gravitate towards the outdoors. Learning outdoors is a fantastic tool, and Forest School is a significant part of this approach. Its popularity continues to grow, but what does it mean to have a Forest School ethos, and is it for everyone? A Very…
Read MoreHow my Early Years experience prepared me for fatherhood
Having worked in early years for over 12 years, I wanted to share the experience I have as being a man in childcare and how it prepared me for fatherhood. Men make up just 3% of the entire early years workforce in the UK. It can be isolating, lonely, and the profession seen as a…
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