http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:27:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Like many of you, I woke up today and could hardly believe it was the last day of January already. It seems unfeasible that Christmas is now a distant memory and we are at the end of the first month of 2012. There may be a lot of talk of the ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2012/01/where-has-january-gone/ I have just returned from a really interesting visit to Bangalore, in the south of India, during which time I had the opportunity to visit a number of pre-schools and nurseries. It was fascinating to see some very real similarities as well as some enormous differences and also to reflect ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/11/a-chance-to-look-at-the-indian-childcare-market/ It was encouraging last week to see that Children and Young People Now magazine ran an article which warned the Government that many working families are struggling to keep up with childcare bills. However, there was also some positive news as this followed an announcement that was welcomed by childcare ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/10/call-to-ease-childcare-burden-for-full-time-working-families/ Last Saturday morning saw 29 members of The Old Station Nursery team rolling around in hysterics, despite early starts and the fact that it was actually Saturday morning and they were technically working. So, what was the cause? A certain gentleman by the name of Neil Griffiths, whom I heard ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/10/the-joy-of-reading-to-childrena-dying-art/ Over the last week there has been yet more discussion in the media about the possible detrimental effect of babies under 2 being placed in nurseries. I was incensed to hear one interviewee explaining that 'being cared for by strangers' could lead to a rise in the stress hormone, cortisol, ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/09/academics-debate-stress-in-babies-in-daycare/ Yesterday there was a frenzy of discussion on the radio and television around the high cost of childcare, following publication of a report by Save the Children and the Day Care Truststating that the costs of childcare were leaving many families in debt.  I spoke to Phil Watts on Radio ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/09/making-work-pay/ I am really delighted to have a guest blog from Julie Meighan, all about the importance (and fun) of drama in the early years sector: Storytelling with Early Years The following are some pointers you should use when story telling to young children the first thing that a teacher/educator should do is ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/06/drama-in-the-early-years/ Last week's NDNA conference included a fantastic line up of speakers, who provided some thought provoking sessions on a variety of issues. I particularly enjoyed hearing from Catherine Prisk of Play England, who's session entitled 'The benefits of risk in play opportunities in the Early Years' might have struck a ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/06/wrapped-in-cotton-wool/ I'm realy delighted to be attending the National Day Nurseries Association awards dinner on Thursday next week, when Linda Bon, a practitioner from our Filkins Nursery in Oxfordshire, is one of 3 people short-listed for the 'Childcarer of the Year' Award. As a company we have always recognised the importance ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/06/its-always-good-to-say-well-done/ Last week saw the publication of the Tickell review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the framework which outlines how we must deliver care to our under 5s in the UK. The EYFS has been in place for 2.5 years and despite the media's love of referring to it as ... http://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/blog/2011/04/review-of-eyfs-published/