smalltalk - spring 2021

smalltalk…supporting the early years sector in Wales for over 30-years.

Published quarterly since spring 1986, and mailed free of charge to all Early Years Wales members. smalltalk is the must-read title for early years education and early years childcare providers in Wales.

Whether you are looking for ideas to implement within the setting or to help you with your training and development, wanting to keep up to date with the latest curriculum changes or changes in legislation, our 28-page, full colour magazine is packed full of articles to inspire you to embed and inform high-quality practice, whilst continuing to run a successful business.

Welcome to the spring issue of smalltalk

Our cover story this issue shines a light on three very different aspects of our work, but illustrates the essence of our organisation. We also update you on some of the work that has been going on behind the scenes; Maggie Kelly, Early Years Wales National Development Manager brings us up to date with the work she has doing as a member of the Strategic Implementation Group that will oversee the implementation of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 (pg 6). We have also been part of the Early Years Action Group along with 8 other leading Welsh children’s charities calling upon all political parties to put the needs of babies and the youngest children at the centre of their policies for the next Senedd – read the Manifesto here

Discover what else is inside here:

4. Early Years Wales Awards 2020

It was quite different to the first and very different to how we imagined the second, but we are delighted to announce the winners of the Early Years Wales Awards 2020.

6. Focus on: Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020.

Maggie Kelly explains the role Welsh childcare organisations have in supporting parents ahead of the smacking ban.

8. Carter’s story

2-year-old Carter has cerebral palsy. We hear how since attending a mainstream nursery his development has come on leaps and bounds.

10. Cover story: The importance of play

David Lloyd George said about a child’s right to play, that play is nature’s training for life. Our cover story features three articles focussing on very different aspects of play but all with the same objective.

11. How children develop and learn through allweather-outdoor-play in the Foundation Phase.

Seasonal changes bring new discoveries for everyone who spends time outside. Sarah Wiggin looks at how two settings tackled the transition from winter to spring.

14. Welsh Active Early Years: shaping the way children think for life.

Currently play is sadly lacking in many children’s lives. Julie Powell hopes through collaborative working practitioners can support and encourage families to play outside of the setting.

18. Sharing Quality Practice Part 3: Play and Development

Part 3 of our Sharing Quality Practice series examines play and development within the setting. Claire Thomas shares examples of how different approaches to planning can result in high-quality practice.

21. Supporting families to play outdoors.

Why not set up a sharing board of outdoor ideas? We’ve given you some suggestions to get you started.

22. Thinking sensibly about health and safety

The benefits of outdoor play far outweigh the risks. Play Wales advice is to take the common-sense approach.

23. Welcome to our cabin

Marford Little Explorers are proud to show off their new addition, enabling them to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic.

24. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

Extended to April 2021, Nicola Hooper talks employers through the CJRS and whether they are eligible to claim.

26. GDPR refresh

As it is nearly 3-years since the General Data Protection Regulation was implemented, we thought we’d give you some things to think about.
 

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