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The start of Early Years Wellbeing Week came from an idea I had about how I was going to support, promote and link Early Years to mental health for World Mental Health Day on 8/10. The focus for 2018 is: youth in a changing world and so very relevant to Early Years, yet many are…

I know you’re feeling weary right now, I know it’s only a couple of weeks into the new term and you are already feeling worn out and depleted. This is a note to anyone working with children in any role, whatever age, whatever stage, a reminder that you matter too and you must remember to…

“A person’s a person, no matter how small”. Dr. Seuss In an online group, a parent posed the question about how unhappy their child is at school and the battle she has to get him there. She reflected upon the respect, love, care and nurture we provide in abundance in the EY but how and…

Like so many, I love a good photo of an inspiring Early Years environment. I like to ooh and ah at an imaginatively designed construction area, gasp in delight at a play dough station and will share inspirational practice on Facebook along with outdoor mudpie kitchens that look better than my own kitchen. I will…

I had a conversation with someone the other day and we talked about the word stress, we kind of agreed that we use the word stress on a daily basis and in fact we often use it to replace the word busy. How often do you say you are busy or stressed? Perhaps more than…

What does that mean? Is the response I have had from most people when I explain I have completed the Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training with MHFA England. Well firstly, it means I am an improved instructor and I can deliver the two day MHFA adult course, but perhaps most importantly it means First…

Tucked away in a cul-de-sac, not far from the hustle and bustle of busy roads, noisy cars and large tree lined streets, is a place named Happy House. Perhaps I passed many happy homes as I made my way here, but perhaps it’s rare, if not impossible to find a happy house quite like this…

I began to write my final newsletter for this academic year and I’m so very glad I did. Its enabled me to discover and revisit a little glimpse of magic. Magic that as adults, as tried, weary and stressed out oftentimes grumpy – we know best – grown ups, we need reminding and yet children…