In early years, compliance can sometimes feel like a heavy weight. Policies to update. Paperwork to evidence. Inspections to prepare for. Teams to support. And often, it all lands on the shoulders of owners and managers who are already stretched thin. At Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy, we meet [...]

The Early Years Inspection Toolkit gives structure to what inspectors look for. But beyond the headings and evaluation areas, it also gives us a powerful way to reflect on why some children struggle to engage, settle, or make progress. In early years, barriers to learning are rarely about ability. [...]

In today's society, it's not uncommon to see children dressed in designer clothes, equipped with the latest gadgets, and enrolled in prestigious nurseries. This phenomenon, often referred to as "affluent neglect," underscores a significant issue in early childhood development: prioritising niceties over necessities. Claudia Bernard's research, "Recognizing and addressing [...]

In recent years, a worrying trend has emerged across many early years settings. Observations and reports suggest a growing number of nurseries and preschools are receiving ratings of 'inadequate' at their Ofsted inspections. It’s essential to unravel the threads of why this might be happening. Often the matter lies [...]

In the bustling world of early years education, where every moment is a learning opportunity for our youngest learners, the significance of quality training for our workforce cannot be overstated. However, there's a growing trend that's raising eyebrows and stirring teacups across early years settings in the UK: the so-called [...]

In the world of early years, there's a growing understanding of the importance of open-ended activities for children. Open-ended activities provide children with the opportunity to explore, create, and engage with their environment in a way that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and a love for learning. This blog will delve [...]

Unveiling the Invisible Children Invisible children are those children who are often forgotten about within the setting, they may seem like they are happy playing by themselves in a corner but actually, it is up to us as practitioners to go over to the child and touch base with [...]

In early years settings, the emphasis has shifted from traditional practices to creating engaging and inclusive learning environments. One significant aspect of this is the recognition of the importance of listening to children's voices. By valuing their perspectives, ideas, and opinions, we empower young learners, promote their agency, and cultivate [...]

Creating a positive and inspiring environment for both children and staff in early years settings is essential for fostering a thriving learning community. As an early years consultant, you understand the importance of supporting and motivating your staff to ensure they deliver their best every day. In this blog, we'll [...]

As an early year’s practitioner, your role is pivotal in creating a warm and welcoming environment for young children as they embark on their journey into Early Years Education. Supporting children and parents during the settling-in period is crucial for building trust, fostering a sense of security, and facilitating [...]

While the benefits of male role models in early years are evident, it is important to acknowledge that not every child will get to experience a male role model in their life. This could be due to a variety of reasons and it is important that we are proactive [...]

Today I want to chat about something that's super important in Early Years: staff supervision and setting SMART targets. Now, you might be wondering, "What on earth does that mean?" Don't worry; I've got you covered! Your staff team are what makes the wheels go round in your setting. [...]