Family Child Care

New from Department for Education

The Department for Education has released a raft of new research reports; among them are three which readers may find particularly interesting:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://publications.education.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR017.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Month of Birth and Education</span></a> looks at the issue of how summer-born children can be disadvantaged, thanks to the nature of the school year. Among its conclusions are the suggestions that such children are <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jul/29/august-children-worst-gcse-results" target="_blank">more likely to have special educational needs and be unhappy at school</a>. Similar research in this area was referred to in this <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2009/02/summer-born-babies.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>The <a href="http://publications.education.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR012.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey 2009</span></a> is the latest in a series of annual publications which examine children's services in the UK. As a snapshot of the current state of the early years sector, it's well worth a look.</li></ul><ul><li>A <a href="http://www.education.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DFE-RR016_WEB.pdf" target="_blank">new study on extended schools</a> has found that many schools are finding it <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/1019498/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin" target="_blank">difficult to fund a programme of extended services</a>, although such activities are popular with both parents and pupils.<br /></li></ul>

New from Department for Education

The Department for Education has released a raft of new research reports; among them are three which readers may find particularly interesti...

5:23 AM

Academies Act 2010

Academies Act 2010

This week saw the passing of the Academies Act 2010 , the piece of legislation which will enable the setting up of 'free schools' (s...

3:31 AM

Detecting Autism

Detecting Autism

A new study from the US has found that autism can be detected by the unique noises that babies make . The research, which was carried out at...

4:52 AM

Playwork Survey

Playwork Survey

A new survey from SkillsActive has found that many playwork employers say that they cannot find staff with the skills they require; 44% of ...

2:36 AM

New Child Protection Reports

Two new publications if you have an interest in child protection issues:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/Health%20and%20Lifestyles/sdd2009/SDD_2009_Report.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Smoking, Drinking and Drug use Among Young People in England in 2009</span></a> is a new report from the NHS with detailed information and statistics about children's use of harmful substances.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/resources/documents/Research/21485_full.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Safeguarding Young People: Responding to Young People Aged 11 to 17 Who are Maltreated</span></a> is a joint publication from the Children's Society, the NSPCC and the University of York. The report found that the needs of 11-17 year olds were not always met by child protection  processes which are more geared to protecting younger children.<br /><br />To get regular updates on child protection issues, you can sign up to the <a href="http://www.nspcc.org.uk/ExternalNewsServices/Default.aspx?NewsServiceID=2" target="_blank">NSPCC Caspar service</a>; once you have set up an email alert, you will receive a weekly email with details of news, research and events in this area.

New Child Protection Reports

Two new publications if you have an interest in child protection issues: Smoking, Drinking and Drug use Among Young People in England in 200...

4:07 AM

Vulnerable Children in Birmingham

Birmingham's children's services are unfortunately once again in the national headlines for the wrong reasons. Yesterday saw the publication of <span style="font-style: italic;">Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked After Children Services: Birmingham</span>, an Ofsted report which summarised the findings of an inspection that was carried out last month. Among the conclusions is a statement that <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-10702423" target="_blank">Birmingham City Council is failing to protect children</a>; the news comes just a week after Tony Howell, the Council's current strategic director for children, young people and families announced that he will retire in January.<br /><br />Further information about children's services in the city is <a href="http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite/childrenservices?packedargs=website%3D4&rendermode=live" target="_blank">available here</a>, while the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board has a <a href="http://www.lscbbirmingham.org.uk/" target="_blank">separate website</a>. Readers may also want to look at this <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2009/10/protecting-children-in-birmingham.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, which deals with a 2009 report into social care in the city.

Vulnerable Children in Birmingham

Birmingham's children's services are unfortunately once again in the national headlines for the wrong reasons. Yesterday saw the pub...

1:52 AM

No More Runaway Crayons!

<a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=28356&es=10490500000" target="'_New"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496394318473495170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb5IiFTDIR4agPzakitiRbNhCk2WhvNvM2cs43D1YVsOCiyKhTHe-ztCPnUpAoIdSXaaIsyWc3i4IX9x4g0xGz5BaYaVR7Q0vHpN_ad_lV9Z7hS1lOrolefg5ZVW8CEgiIGzJ2VI9ScQ/s320/trianglular+crayons.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 313px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Once in a while, a product comes along that makes life so much easier. Sometimes it is the simplest of creations, but it changes the way things are done. Think of Post-It notes. A simple thing that changed the world.<br /><div><div><br />My latest thrilling product is <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=28356&es=10490500000" target="'_New">triangular-shaped crayons! </a>I know, I know, crayons, markers and pencils that shape have been around for a while, but not very accessible. I'm so excited that Colorations came up with a classroom pack of these beauties. Just think, no more crayons rolling on the floor. These wonders stay where they are placed. I am packaging little bags of the crayons to take with me to restaurants when I take my grandkids. I have already had servers ask me where to get them. They really are the answer for child-friendly food establishments. It will be so nice not to be crawling under the booth to retrieve a crayon which rolled away from your child. That will make the eating experience much more positive. </div><div><br />I also love these for the classroom. I'm sure the number of crayons I picked up from the floor number in the millions. I like the idea of having crayons take up residency on the table and stay there. :-) I guess it doesn't take much to make me happy.</div></div>

No More Runaway Crayons!

Once in a while, a product comes along that makes life so much easier. Sometimes it is the simplest of creations, but it changes the way thi...

4:23 PM

Interview with Children's Minister

Two months in for the coalition government, and some of their policy proposals are becoming a little clearer. This <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2010/06/free-schools.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> dealt with the issue of free schools, while other recent posts have covered <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-schools-secretary.html" target="_blank">speeches by Michael Gove</a> and <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2010/05/coalition-plans-for-children-families.html" target="_blank">early announcements</a>.<br /><br />Now the new children's minister Sarah Teather has given an interview to <a href="http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nursery World</span></a> to discuss such issues as the EYFS review, qualifications for those who work with children, and more. To read the interview, just <a href="http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/rss/1015750/Interview-Childrens-Minister-Sarah-Teather---Early-days-DFE/" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Interview with Children's Minister

Two months in for the coalition government, and some of their policy proposals are becoming a little clearer. This previous post dealt with...

6:11 AM

Family Friendly Report Card 2010

Family Friendly Report Card 2010

Exam season is almost upon us, so the Family and Parenting Institute has entered into the spirit of things by awarding the UK a report card...

3:50 AM

Childhoods Today

Childhoods Today

Childhoods Today is a free-to-access, online peer-reviewed journal, which publishes two issues a year and is produced by the Centre for the...

2:33 AM

To the Left or to the Right?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyOh3qikvgHxKWee5VjJ7zvQHvBh7GD4yJjiWpRJ5083_ieVMC83s2qtBb0mxaKwux-eX1ki17zBv4nDQo6bf5d062vX3WvQA2y88uKC5aJmfCFwEhK9pOq7LfgdR6BBqV5MUFATxDTQ/s1600/_Media_Card_BlackBerry_pictures_IMG00011.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491385276234057554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyOh3qikvgHxKWee5VjJ7zvQHvBh7GD4yJjiWpRJ5083_ieVMC83s2qtBb0mxaKwux-eX1ki17zBv4nDQo6bf5d062vX3WvQA2y88uKC5aJmfCFwEhK9pOq7LfgdR6BBqV5MUFATxDTQ/s320/_Media_Card_BlackBerry_pictures_IMG00011.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>A couple of years ago I ran into these two signs in Hawaii. One arrow says, "Parking Lot this Way" and the second arrow pointing in the opposite direction says, "One Way." Sometimes life gives us mixed messages so that we are not sure which road to take.</div><br /><div>As I have the opportunity to be in many classrooms each year, I often see and hear mixed messages given to the children in our classes. However, I think the mixed message that disturbs me the most is something that I observe on a regular basis. I hear teachers say, "Now, follow my directions and do exactly as I say so that you can get the right answer." Then I hear the same teacher say during a different activity, "Use your imagination, be creative. This is your project." Hmmmm.... It is no surprise to me that we are unable to get children to be creative and to develop thinking skills. The school system is so busy trying to get the children to conform to school requirements that there is little time and effort given to teach independent thinking skills.</div><br /><div>To me, this part of education is a conflict and a mixed message. Being creative and developing thinking skills is like following the parking lot sign which is heading in the opposite direction from the world of education which continually says, "one way."</div>

To the Left or to the Right?

A couple of years ago I ran into these two signs in Hawaii. One arrow says, "Parking Lot this Way" and the second arrow pointing i...

8:56 PM

Social Trends 2010

The latest <span style="font-style: italic;">Social Trends</span> (No 40) has just been published. For those who don't know, <span style="font-style: italic;">Social Trends</span> is an annual publication which takes a very detailed look at society in the UK  - frankly, it's quite scary how much they know about us! If you're  interested in topics such as education, health, welfare or any other  social issues, then this is a wonderful resource for information on the  state of the nation.<br /><br />As it's the fortieth edition of the report, this year's version also contains some fascinating details on how British society has changed and evolved during this period, which are summarised in <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10490663.stm" target="_blank">this BBC article</a>. To access the full text of <span style="font-style: italic;">Social Trends 2010</span>, just <a href="http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_social/Social-Trends40/ST40_2010_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Social Trends 2010

The latest Social Trends (No 40) has just been published. For those who don't know, Social Trends is an annual publication which takes...

12:51 AM

Something for Everyone

Bear with me, today's update is going to be a monster. I've been away for a week, during which it seems that the childcare sector has gone into overdrive, so here's a simple update of significant news stories and new research with summaries where available:<br /><ul><li>Today the government have announced a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/10508835.stm" target="_blank">review of the Early Years Foundation Stage</a>, which could have wide-ranging implications for all professionals who work with young children. Yet the results of research published today by the Daycare Trust show that the EYFS has <a href="http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/rss/1014327/EYFS-overwhelming-support-among-childcare-providers-survey-finds/" target="_blank">strong support among childcare providers</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>A brief research report looking at free schools in Sweden (the model for the proposed changes to many schools in the UK) argues that they have <a href="http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/rss/1012946/Swedish-free-schools-no-impact-achievement-research-finds/" target="_blank">no impact on the achievement of poor or immigrant children</a>. The summary of research evidence by Rebecca Allen of the Institute of Education can be <a href="http://www.bristol.ac.uk/cmpo/publications/bulletin/researchissue10.pdf" target="_blank">read here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>This week (Monday 5th July - Sunday 11th July) is <a href="http://www.mendcentral.org/ncow" target="_blank">National Childhood Obesity Week</a>. To find links to previous research on this topic, take a look at the 'Hot Topics' section in the right-hand column and click on 'Child Obesity.'</li></ul><ul><li>Eurydice has published a new, extensive report entitled <a href="http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/thematic_reports/120EN.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gender Differences in Educational Outcomes: Study on the Measures Taken and the Current Situation in Europe</span></a>.</li></ul><ul><li>ICT bods may be interested in new research from the NFER entitled <a href="http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/publications/LWT01/LWT01.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Children and Young People's Views on Web 2.0 Technologies</span></a>.</li></ul><ul><li>The National Centre for Social Research has published <a href="https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR098.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Characteristics of Bullying Victims in Schools</span></a>, which assesses the relative importance of a range of factors that can lead to the bullying of young people.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.rcslt.org/about/campaigns/ccc_report_2010" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Engaging for their Futures and our Society</span></a> is the title of a new report from the Children's Communication Coalition, and examines how to improve the life chances of children with speech, language and communication needs.</li></ul><ul><li>The Centre for Policy Studies has published <a href="http://www.cps.org.uk/cps_catalog/Cutting%20the%20Children.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cutting the Children's Plan</span></a>, a report which suggests areas where savings in children's services can be made in the forthcoming public sector cuts.</li></ul><ul><li>The latest official set of statistical <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000939/SFR19-2010.pdf" target="_blank">data on children with special educational needs</a> has just been released; very useful if you have an interest in this area!</li></ul><ul><li>Teaching enthusiasts may find <a href="http://www.gtce.org.uk/documents/publicationpdfs/bfl_anth_pbfl2_0310.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Behaviour for Learning</span></a> useful; this is a research anthology which examines the different learning styles of pupils and teachers' attitudes towards them.</li></ul><ul><li>The National Childminding Association (NCMA) has launched a free <a href="http://www.ncma.org.uk/partnerships/childrens_centres/engaging_childminders.aspx" target="_blank">childminder engagement tool</a>, to <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/1013182/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin" target="_blank">enable childminders and children's centres to collaborate more closely</a>.</li></ul>

Something for Everyone

Bear with me, today's update is going to be a monster. I've been away for a week, during which it seems that the childcare sector ha...

6:38 AM