Family Child Care

Information Workshop

"Where do you get all the information for the blog?" "It must take you hours to find all this stuff!" "Haven't you got anything better to do with your time?" Above are some of the typical comments that users make when chatting to me about this site (OK, I made the last one up...). In actual fact, getting hold of information to post on here is really quite simple, as most of it is sent to me automatically without the need to search for it, as I have a number of alerts and other services in place which deliver important news stories directly to my inbox. In addition, there are other online tools I use which are handy for organising and sharing information with people who have similar research interests. Anyway, a survey which we carried out with students from the School of Childhood and Education a few months back (see <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-do-you-use-web.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for details; an article outlining the results will shortly appear in the College's <a href="http://www.ucb.ac.uk/asp/BUS-newsletter.asp" target="_blank">Praxis</a> newsletter) suggested that many students were largely unfamiliar with such services, and the benefits that they can offer in helping you to stay on top of your subject, and organise useful material that you have found.In response to this, I'd like to invite users to a 'Masterclass' session, where some of these tools can be demonstrated, and you can have a go at using some of them for yourself. Perhaps you'd like to set up a blog with pupils at your school? Or learn what childcare / education webpages other internet users are using right now? Or just ensure a steady stream of useful emails on your favourite topics? Come along and all will be revealed...If you would like to attend, simply <a href="mailto:D.Renfree@ucb.ac.uk">email me</a> or speak to me in the library. If enough of you show an interest, I will arrange a time that suits you all and the session can go ahead. Who knows, by the end you may not feel the need to visit this site any more...?

Information Workshop

"Where do you get all the information for the blog?""It must take you hours to find all this stuff!""Haven't you got anything better to do with your time?"Above are some of the typical comments that users make when chatting to me about this site (OK, I made the last one up...). In actual fact, getti…

31Oct2009

Social Trends

Social Trends

Following a request from a student for information about the UK, I was reminded that I haven't yet put up a link to this year's edition of Social Trends. If you're not familiar with this publication, it's an annual report which takes a very detailed look at society in the UK - frankly it's scary how…

30Oct2009

Playday 2009

Playday 2009

I've been a little slow off the mark with this one, but the 5th August was this year's Playday, an annual event which celebrates children's right to play. This year's theme was 'Make Time', with a focus on ensuring that children are given enough opportunity to indulge in this important part of their…

29Oct2009

Social Care TV

Social Care TV

This blog often mentions Teachers TV and some of the many useful programmes that you can find on their website; now the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has launched a similar service aimed at social workers.Social Care TV promises to offer short films on all aspects of work within the se…

27Oct2009

Children's Workforce Development Council

The <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/" target="_blank">Children's Workforce Development Council</a> (CWDC) is largely funded by the DCSF and helps to co-ordinate the way that the various agencies with a stake in childcare work together, as well as providing a voice for employers in shaping the future direction of policy in this area. Their website is well worth visiting if you are taking any kind of early years course within the College. Like many other organisations in the sector, the CWDC also publishes research / reports relating to it's work. Two of its recent publications will be of interest to some of our readers: <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/assets/0000/7085/Nanny_workforce_SIRC_Oct_09.pdf" target="_blank">The Composition, Needs and Aspirations of the Nanny Workforce in England</a> claims to be "the first comprehensive profile" of this area; the report is made up of the results of a survey involving 888 nannies and 55 nanny agencies. <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/assets/0000/5565/EYP_Evaluation_Summary_Report_June09.pdf" target="_blank">Evaluation of the Career Developments of Early Years Professionals (EYPs)</a> summarises the findings of a survey carried out between October 2007 and May 2008. Graduates who had achieved EYPS were contacted a few months later to talk about the impact on their practice, career prospects and salary.

Children's Workforce Development Council

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is largely funded by the DCSF and helps to co-ordinate the way that the various agencies with a stake in childcare work together, as well as providing a voice for employers in shaping the future direction of policy in this area. Their website is we…

23Oct2009

The Human Family

<a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=26828&es=10490500000" target="'_New"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395240904974638466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v8NywmuOBUMYkZM28bsv-H4RthaEn9kG4sDMR4FiZC3zK3I0rdoTkieq-FXMfG5MCcajOOAsnkpJyv4br7-E86sEbnUjfL8lkjytafAOLxiPcx_5MKjJpG5NVdzXEKpFUqlpAE5qNJc/s200/26828.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I was having a conversation with a coworker recently about supporting children who come from different family configurations. I told him that I really enjoyed using <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=26828&es=10490500000" target="'_New">multicultural play sets</a>, or block people, to allow the child the opportunity to build a model of his own family in dramatic play. Even though many of the play people produced commercially come in racial family compositions, I like to get them all and allow the child to mix and match and create her family as close as she can. The make-up of the American family in 2009 has no one model. Families may have a father and mother, bi-racial members, single-parent households, gay parents, grandparents, foster parents, and the list could go on. Our job as early childhood educators is to validate and support every child in our care. Regardless of our own background or value system, we must realize that the child is the most important part of our classroom. Our support and validation is critical to help the child become well-adjusted and resilient.

The Human Family

I was having a conversation with a coworker recently about supporting children who come from different family configurations. I told him that I really enjoyed using multicultural play sets, or block people, to allow the child the opportunity to build a model of his own family in dramatic play. Even …

21Oct2009

Fathers, Family & Work

Fathers, Family & Work

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has just published a short report which examines how working fathers attempt to juggle their work-life balance; the study concluded that many fathers would appreciate more flexible working to allow them to spend more time with their children.The full title of…

20Oct2009

Primary Review - Final Report

Today sees the publication of the final report of the <a href="http://www.primaryreview.org.uk/" target="_blank">Cambridge Primary Review</a>, which has been widely described as "the largest review of primary education for more than 40 years." For the last 3 years, a team of researchers based at Cambridge University with funding from the <a href="http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/" target="_blank">Esmee Fairbairn Foundation</a> has conducted a thorough investigation into all aspects of teaching, school management and the curriculum. Not surprisingly, the report has received wide media attention, with most outlets choosing to focus on the recommendation that <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8309153.stm" target="_blank">children should not start formal learning until they are six</a>. Other key points are listed in this <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/oct/16/scrap-sats-school-home-work" target="_blank">Guardian article</a>. The Primary Review itself has provided a more detailed list of press reaction, which can be <a href="http://www.primaryreview.org.uk/Press_and_media/Finalreportcoverage-Octob.html" target="_blank">accessed from here</a>, while it's also worth having a look at these <a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6025097" target="_blank">editorial</a> and <a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6025135" target="_blank">analysis</a> pieces in today's TES. The title of the final report is Children, Their World, Their Education - it is not freely available online, although you can read a <a href="http://www.primaryreview.org.uk/Downloads/Finalreport/CWE-briefing.pdf" target="_blank">briefing</a> which summarises the report's main findings, and a more detailed booklet is currently being sent out to all schools, councils, and teacher training providers. Copies of the final report will shortly be available in the library stock.

Primary Review - Final Report

Today sees the publication of the final report of the Cambridge Primary Review, which has been widely described as "the largest review of primary education for more than 40 years." For the last 3 years, a team of researchers based at Cambridge University with funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundat…

16Oct2009

SEN / Childcare Providers

SEN / Childcare Providers

Here are details of two new reports from the DCSF, both of them of interest to those of you looking for figures / statistics:Children with Special Educational Needs 2009: An Analysis is a hugely detailed study of SEN pupils in the UK, with information on attainment levels, prevalence among different…

13Oct2009

Early Learning Partnerships

Early Learning Partnerships

A new study by the Family and Parenting Institute examines the impact of the Early Learning Partnership Project (ELPP), a government-funded project which sought to improve early education for children from vulnerable families. One of the surprising conclusions which the researchers had not anticipat…

08Oct2009

Protecting Children in Birmingham

Protecting Children in Birmingham

A new report on Birmingham's children's social care department makes for uncomfortable reading. Following criticism from Ofsted, a team of government inspectors examined practice within the city, concluding that the department was "not fit for purpose."Although the city council has accepted the repo…

07Oct2009

Building Brain Connections

I was traveling on an airplane this week and I had the privilege of sitting next to a mechanical engineer. He was traveling for work on his latest project, a new medical device for heart patients. I was fascinated by the new procedures he was explaining, but he seemed just as fascinated with my early childhood knowledge. He has two small children and admitted that he and his wife don't always know the best approach for teaching their little ones. Our conversation evolved to a discussion about building capacities in the brain. I told him how critical it was to give young children as many experiences and support as possible so they can build as many brain connections as possible (<a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=24922&category=452&es=10490500000"target="'_New">check out Dr. Jean's information</a>). We know that the connections formed during early childhood will have life long effects. We discussed how his new device might help patients avoid a heart bypass operation, but there was no shortcut to providing young children with positive, supportive experiences during these critical years. Early childhood is the time to build strong brain connections. I continue to admire all of the wonderful people in the world that devote their lives to young children.

Building Brain Connections

02Oct2009

Children and Domestic Violence

A new study from the NSPCC examines the difficult issue of domestic violence and the support received by children who are witnesses to such incidents. The research, which was carried out by a team at the University of Central Lancashire, assessed the response of children's services in the aftermath of such incidents, and lists a series of recommendations for improvement to existing practice. A 12 page summary version of <a href="http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/Findings/children_experiencing_domestic_violence_summary_wdf68552.pdf" target="_blank">Children and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence: Police and Children's Social Services' Responses</a>, containing a bullet point list of the findings and recommendations is available now. The full report is due to follow later this year. Incidentally, for anyone planning a dissertation on some aspect of safeguarding children, the NSPCC also provides suggested <a href="http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/factsandfigures/readinglists/reading_lists_wda48913.html" target="_blank">reading lists</a> on topics such as child law, child protection, separation and divorce and many others, which will give you a good idea of the important books and reports in that area.

Children and Domestic Violence