Early years explained

A series for primary headteachers and early years leaders exploring the four overarching principles of the early years foundation stage: the unique child, positive relationships, enabling environments, and learning and development. Get clear, practical guidance and expert insight on the areas that matter most.

Shaping the future from the very start: why the early years matter

Trust CEO Jo Heaton explains why high-quality early years provision is at the heart of her mission to give every child the best possible start in life, and introduces a new blog series to help schools and nurseries make a lasting difference for children who need it most.
Understanding the unique child: The foundational principle of early years education

Early years expert Corrie Leach explores the principle of the unique child, which is part of the early years foundation stage statutory framework. She discusses why it matters, what it means in practice and how you and your staff can embed it across your early years provision.
Starting strong: how to value the unique child in early years

How can early years settings put individual children at the heart of their practice? Early years expert practitioners Dixie-Louise Dexter and Nicola Middleton describe how getting to know the unique child and responding to insight on whole-class needs means they can meet children’s needs from the very beginning.
Four ways early years settings can be more inclusive

How can early years settings create a truly inclusive education environment for every child? Early years expert practitioners Dixie-Louise Dexter and Nicola Middleton explain four approaches their early years team takes to provide tailored support from the very start.
Understanding the unique child: The characteristics of effective teaching and learning in the early years

Early years expert Corrie Leach explains the characteristics of effective teaching and learning and why they matter for the quality of your early years provision. She explores where these characteristics come from, what they look like in practice, and how understanding them can help you lead confident, curious learners across your school.
How teaching the characteristics of effective teaching and learning in your early years setting improves learning outcomes for all

Expert early years practitioners Dixie-Louise Dexter and Nicola Middleton explain how they have taught the early years foundation stage statutory framework's characteristics of effective teaching and learning explicitly to support children to become motivated and independent learners.
Positive relationships: Professional collaboration in the early years

Early years expert Corrie Leach discusses how professional collaboration can help your early years team thrive and why positive relationships matter for children’s development. She offers practical advice for headteachers and early years leaders, so you can support your staff and strengthen your team.
How we collaborate with families, pre-schools and professionals to support early years transition

Starting school marks a big step for children and their families. Expert early years practitioners Dixie-Louise Dexter and Nicola Middleton explain how they have supported smooth school transitions in the early years at Ashby Hilltop Primary School. Find out how you can build strong relationships with families, pre-schools and professionals to help children feel secure and ready to learn.
Why building strong relationships with families matters in the early years, and how to do it

Early years expert Corrie Leach discusses four ways to strengthen family engagement in your early years setting with practical advice for headteachers and early years leaders. She explores the importance of building positive relationships with families, as set out in the early years foundation stage framework, and what it looks like in practice.
Three ways to include parents in your early years setting

Expert early years practitioners, Dixie-Louise Dexter and Nicola Middleton share how they include parents in children’s learning at Ashby Hilltop Primary School. Read their tips for encouraging parents to take part in classroom activities and creating a welcoming environment, so you can support your team to help every child thrive.
Enabling environments: Creating early years spaces where every child can thrive

Early years expert Corrie Leach explores how enabling environments support children’s learning and development. She offers practical guidance for headteachers and early years leaders on creating intentional spaces in the early years, drawing on research and the early years foundation stage framework. Learn what an enabling environment is, why it matters and how to evaluate yours to help your pupils thrive.
How to create an enabling environment in the early years

How can the right environment support children in the early years? Expert early years practitioners Dixie-Louise Dexter and Nicola Middleton share their approach at Ashby Hill Top Primary School. Get ideas for how to support your team to adapt your early years classrooms to improve children’s wellbeing and learning.
Seven conditions your early years environment should enable for children

Early years expert Corrie Leach explores the seven conditions every early years environment should enable. Drawing on research and practical examples, she offers reflective questions you can use when evaluating your early years setting, to support children's development and help every child thrive.
How to create an intentional early years classroom to improve physical development

Find out how early years practitioners Dixie-Louise Dexter and Nicola Middleton transformed their classroom at Ashby Hilltop Primary School to improve physical development outcomes. They offer practical strategies for headteachers and early years leaders, so you can help every child develop the skills and knowledge they need.