Feature Articles

With more than a fifth of children either overweight or obese when they join Reception class, it is vital that healthy eating habits are instilled in children from a young age. A nutritious, balanced diet and sufficient physical activity are essential to a child’s long-term health and development, and good nutrition is also associated with improved learning and behaviour. Elizabeth Walker looks at the latest guidance for early years provisions on providing healthy meals and snacks for the young children in their care.

With almost 1 in 12 young children now suffering from a food allergy, it is essential that early years practitioners can recognise the symptoms and know how to manage allergic conditions in their nursery.

With a General Election set for 12 December 2019, Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, outlines previous confirmed developments to the law going forward, alongside the implications for future changes from a Conservative or Labour victory.

Cold, wintery weather usually brings with it an increase in ill health, especially in communal environments such as schools and early years services where infections are most easily spread. What health problems are commonly associated with winter and what can early years managers do best to ensure the welfare of their children through the winter months? Martin Hodgson investigates.

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences that an individual can endure, with bereavement leave regarded as an integral part of the grieving process. Permitting leave in this situation can be well received by a workforce, but employers should always consider the implications of doing so. In this article, Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, considers how employers may implement bereavement leave.

Since 2014, one of the mandatory processes for an individual (the “claimant”) lodging a claim at the Employment Tribunal is that they must go through Acas Early Conciliation (EC). Stuart Chamberlain, author and senior employment law consultant at Croner-I, summarises the stages of the EC process and draws out the important points for employers.

Starting at an early years provision can be a daunting and emotional experience for both the parents and child. Some children can feel very distressed when they are left by their parents in a new environment and it is important that practitioners recognise the significance of separation anxiety and support families during this period of transition. Elizabeth Walker looks at the issues involved.

Understanding why the parents in your setting do or do not read with their children is crucial to enhance shared reading opportunities within your local context. In some cases, parents may not see the value in reading, especially if community literacy levels and aspirations are low. Where children live in poverty access to books is unlikely to be a priority for families.

With Halloween almost upon us, some employers may want to use this as an opportunity to allow employees to wear fancy dress to work. Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, outlines what companies should bear in mind in these situations.

The answer to this, says Rebecca Fisk, is in the question…plan! It is good practice to think about how staff communicate difficult messages to parents on several levels.