The book recognises the main principles that underpin effective safeguarding practices and explores the application of a range of key tools that will facilitate a sense of empowerment for practitioners dealing with safeguarding issues. The authors emphasize the importance of preventative interventions as a positive means of impacting on the lives of children and their families. They do this through such processes as the Common Assessment Framework, as well as maintaining the need within the system for responses to be made to urgent concerns that are closely related to safeguarding and child protection processes. With practical case studies throughout, the book helps you: Understand what your responsibilities are Decide what appropriate action should be taken Develop a means of coping with this sensitive area Make sense of current policies and procedures This book is essential reading for all early years students and professionals who wish to explore and rehearse various safeguarding situations in preparation for practice.

This book considers babies' development with a view to disseminating good practice in out-of-home daycare for babies and young children. It is informed by a research and development project - the Baby Room Project - which examined the practices, attitudes and qualifications of those working with the youngest children in formal daycare settings. Drawing on unique snapshots of practice and original research evidence the book considers development issues related to the care of babies and creates a ‘Baby Room Charter’. It explores key aspects of practice that nourish and support babies and very young children in day care settings as well as in other less formal arrangements. In particular, the book focuses on: Baby care professionals: how policy and practice interact is examined as well as thorny issues of professional identity, supporting frequently inexperienced practitioners, and training Relationships: the range and complexity of relationships within and around baby rooms and involving babies are considered, including practitioners’ own wellbeing Talk: this theme, which is highlighted as absolutely central to baby room practice, is fully explored with challenging evidence from practice Environments: the spaces and places within which adults and babies play, relate and relax are examined with clear recommendations for practice Essential reading for all early years students and professionals, The Baby Room celebrates the commitment, energy and care that baby room practitioners dedicate to their work. "This carefully conceived and unique book, based on an extensive research project, examines the practices and daily experiences of a range of ‘baby room’ workers and their influences upon babies and their families. The authors sensitively question the functional versus educative role of practitioners, their status as perceived by our society and their needs in relation to professional and practice development, particularly as these individuals are often those with the least experience and qualifications and lowest salaries. The authors, with their practitioner research participants, explore the many issues which underpin beliefs and practices when working and playing with babies and show clearly the need for all day nursery practitioners to be more politically aware and able to critique current policy directives for their own sakes and those of the babies in their care and their families. For those in baby rooms who feel their role is purely functional and that they are there to provide just ‘care’ for the babies, this book will make them think again." Janet Moyles, Professor Emerita, Anglia Ruskin University, UK “In their brilliant book, Drs Goouch and Powell elevate baby care and education by presenting it in all its complexities, challenging common societal perceptions that dismiss it as ‘easy,’ and thus requiring of no special skill, education, or support of its workforce. Showing tremendous respect for practitioners, the authors articulate the emotional and physical difficulties of working day-to-day in birth to three settings, and the intellectual demands inherent in implementing ‘relational pedagogies’ with babies, families, colleagues, and the community at large. The authors foreground the lived experiences of practitioners with relevant research and theory, making fully transparent the nature of their critical interpretations – a tremendous contribution to the field. The Baby Room is a must read for students, scholars, teacher educators, and policy-makers, and all who care about the rights of our youngest global citizens; an essential handbook for those interested in joining forces with the authors to help reframe the prevailing baby/teacher discourses swirling around and about, and all of us who want to get serious about addressing the attendant need to fully support the professional development and well-being of those who care for and educate our babies.” Professor Mary McMullen, School of Education, Indiana University, USA “This scholarly book will never gather dust on a shelf. It is highly readable and helpful for lead practitioners in taking forward their work in very practical ways. It will also inform policy makers and future planning about how to give babies the best start in life – a doubly good book, which it has been a treat to read.” Professor Tina Bruce CBE, University of Roehampton, UK “Babies need quality care. Knowledge about the very early stage of life from conception through early developmental milestones can be seen as a factual base for work with babies and families: there are plenty of manuals about early development and maternal or parental role. There is a rich seam of scientific papers from, for example, psychology, biology and medicine, aimed principally at others in those fields. In the field of early childhood education and care manuals also exist, however high level academic publications have been few – it is as if thinking about children’s education and care and the impact of the people around them begins at three: and indeed here there is a proliferation of work. The messages from science cannot be ignored: young human beings need the highest quality of human companionship if they are to flourish in the ways of which they are capable. The Baby Room is a stunning book. Drawing from their experience of a research and development project with Baby Room practitioners and advisory staff, Kathy Goouch and Sacha Powell have created a powerful, scholarly, challenging, highly readable and well-evidenced book focused on the out-of-home care of babies. From it we can learn so much more about the importance of having well informed, motivated and articulate people working with babies. How to be with babies and how to care, the importance of talk, the importance of being both valued and challenged are some of the key messages their writing offers to adults who work professionally and on a daily basis with babies and toddlers: but also for those who employ, support and advise them. This book provides the reader with important and essential knowledge about why experiences in babyhood matter for the rest of life, and more than that, it provokes thinking about how babies, their families and the practitioners who work with them are placed by society, by our politic and by the babycare industry. What the authors describe as the ‘constant binding thread’ of the participants’ narratives show us what needs to be done, who can take responsibility and how collectively we need to shift not only babyroom practices, but policy, training opportunities, working conditions and not least, attitudes. This book speaks to all with a passion for providing well for our youngest children: let the reader in turn use it to open the conversation locally and nationally about what matters for babies.” Aline-Wendy Dunlop, Emeritus Professor, University of Strathclyde, UK “This fascinating book does not argue for or against baby rooms, but opens up issues and shares the voices of baby room practitioners – traditionally the least qualified and most poorly paid staff in the early years sector. Goouch and Powell have listened respectfully to these voices as well as challenging and questioning what they mean for babies, settings and society. Their research is important, democratic and unsettling and should be required reading for everyone who has ever wondered about what is best for our babies.” Helen Moylett, Early Years Consultant and writer

"This book offers a unique and critical approach to the theme of adults working in early years settings through a focus on seven key dimensions encompassed in the term 'the plural practitioner'. The discussion is strongly underpinned by a consideration of the two important principles of child centredness and social justice. The authors also draw on multiple perspectives, including the role of neuroscience and socio cultural perspectives, to consider who these early years professional are and the complexity of what they bring to their work." Linda Miller, Professor Emeritus, Early Years, The Open University, UK This essential book focuses on the adult role within early years education and care. The book introduces the concept of the 'plural practitioner', which acknowledges that the role of the adult in early years settings is complex and entails many different responsibilities. The book argues that the 'plural practitioner' can create quality early years provision by implementing child-centred and socially just practices. The idea of the 'plural practitioner' is embedded in theory and research, providing a robust rationale and framework to help early years practitioners understand of a range of theories and relate them to their work with young children. The book includes: Discussion of the seven different dimensions of the adult role - to help practitioners reflect on the multiple and complex ways in which they work with young children including: The Critical Reflector, The Carer, The Communicator, The Facilitator, The Observer, The Assessor and The Creator Key questions at the end of each chapter to stimulate further reflection and reading Case study examples of real practitioner experiences The Role of the Adult in Early Years Settings will appeal to all students and practitioners either planning to or currently working in early years settings and aiming to develop their practice.

This book is an accessible knowledge base for the whole area of child abuse and child protection, now fully updated in terms of policy, cases and research.

Drawing on research, The Baby Room considers development issues and research areas concerned with and in relation to the care and development of babies and very young children, with a focus on talk, relationships and environments.

"This book is written in an accessibly but authoritative style and will be a very valuable addition to any setting's professional development and staff training resources" Early Years Update, June 2012

This book provides a handy compendium to support you as you train to become an Early Years Teacher. The eight Teachers' Standards (Early Years) underpin the core structure of the book, and there is strong linking throughout to the statutory and non-statutory framework and guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Offering comprehensive coverage of theories of early learning and child development, this book: Brings together relevant knowledge and skills in a way that challenges you to think critically about key theories of early learning and development in your role as an Early Years Teacher Reflects on the nature of professionalism and offers activities to help you identify your own learning journey and develop your own professional identity Underpins practice with a focus and recognition of the need to identify and develop key communication skills that build positive professional relationships in the best interests of babies and children Includes practical examples and case studies to support reflection and inspire you to creative positive learning opportunities for babies and young children Importantly, the book concludes with valuable guidance on gathering assessment evidence of your personal practice, as well as demonstrating the ability to lead and support early years provision from birth to five years. This is an essential book to support all trainees in developing their role and skills as an Early Years Teacher. Contributors: Kelly Cooper, Fiona Dearman, Jo Elsey, Jessica Johnson, Daryl Maisey, Angela Maxey, Joanne McKibbin, Yasmin Mukadam, Vicky Mummery, Gemma Pawson, Denise Salter, Laltiha Sivalingam, Helen Sutherland. "Authoritative, scholarly and grounded in practice, this is surely destined to become the must-have practical handbook for all those seeking Early Years Teacher status." Geoff Taggart, Lecturer in Early Years, University of Reading, UK "Becoming an Early Years Teacher will prove valuable to all those working in the early years sector, and is an accessible and user friendly resource that promotes increased professional responsibility. Theoretical underpinning and the use of case studies, activities and links to observed practice, provide thought provoking material which recognises the importance of partnership working with families and wider community organisations. Emphasis is placed on the importance of reflection to question values and beliefs and to continually evaluate and challenge practice. This book aims to support inspirational practice that will enhance positive learning opportunities for all early years' children." Soraya Goni, HE Award Leader Childhood Studies, Kirklees College, UK "I am delighted to recommend this comprehensive, challenging and accessible power-pack of a book, which deserves to become essential reading for all Early Years Teachers in training and equally for those engaged in studying on Early Childhood Studies degrees. The team of contributors bring a wealth of both professional and academic knowledge and experience to their chapters and overall the book promotes critical thinking and reflexive practice. Whilst explicitly addressing the standards for Early Years Teacher Status the book avoids taking an instrumentalist approach and explores a range of perspectives and tensions related to professionalism within the early childhood world." Penny Holland, Early Childhood Consultant "This book provides essential, well-articulated, thought-provoking guidance for students working towards Early Years Teacher Status. Throughout the chapters, for each of the eight standards there are strong themes encouraging reflection, reflective practice, leadership and a commitment that in-depth knowledge of theory is closely linked to practice. Scenarios are presented to encourage extension of thought and knowledge whilst ensuring adherence to the statutory and non-statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This approach helps to ensure that the students work towards leading continuous improvement in practice so that the babies and young children experience their learning and development through play and individual care needs. This is a very good book that I would recommend to all Early Years Teacher Status students." Tricia Johnson, Retired Lecturer in Early Years, UK

"This book should be available in every ward, clinic and department. ... This book is comprehensive and, that rare thing in nursing literature, scholarly and authoritative. ...reading this book should arm nurses with the understanding to effectively do their duty and safeguard children." Paediatric Nursing "This text will be particularly useful... as a source of reference for all practitioners. It is logical, organised, comprehensive and accessible. If students wish to purchase one book - this would be a sound choice." Jan Nelmes, University of Brighton, UK "I consider this a valuable book for all practitioners. While the author makes clear her intended audience, I think that a book of this quality would benefit a broader readership. Community Practitioner Magazine "Safeguarding Children and Young People, a Guide for Nurses and Midwives' is an excellent book which I would have no hesitation in recommending to nursing and midwifery colleagues. It is both thought provoking and informative, providing what I consider to be a useful reference which can be utilised to help staff understand more clearly (and thus respond more confidently to) some of the challenging issues which can arise as a result of safeguarding work. Johann Knox, IC Electronic Bulletin While many nurses and midwives are in an ideal position to prevent, identify and respond to child maltreatment, they may not currently have a clear understanding of the theory, policy and practice of safeguarding children. This book, which has been written specifically for a nursing and midwifery audience, provides an accessible text that outlines and explores professional roles and responsibilities in the context of inter-agency working. Importantly, it has chapters on: Child neglect Fabricated or induced illness Child death and child maltreatment Safeguarding vulnerable children This groundbreaking book provides a much needed education, research, practice and evidence-based evaluation. The book also: Includes case examples and points for reflection Provides an analysis of children’s rights and child protection Enables readers to understand and apply theory and policy to practice Outlines the roles and responsibilities of other agencies Helps readers develop skills to deal with sensitive and traumatic issues Addresses the importance of confidentiality and information sharing Safeguarding Children and Young People is core reading for all nursing and midwifery students and practitioners. "This book provides a sound foundation, both for novices needing to understand the challenges of working to safeguard children and as a reference book for those with experience of working in this field.”Dr Cheryll Adams, Acting Lead Professional Officer, Amicus-CPHVA

Are you studying early years in the work place, to gain further qualifications? Do you want help in developing the study skills you need to become a reflective student and practitioner? Do you want to get ideas and strategies for using your work experiences effectively for your assignments?If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then this is the book for you Studying early years in the work place in order to gain further qualifications and awards provides many exciting yet challenging opportunities for practitioners. In to become a reflective student and practitioner researcher it is imperative to think critically, analyse, explore and evaluate ideas or concepts in more depth. This book provides a framework for developing these important skills as well as providing support for the challenges and changes that early years practitioners face on a day-to-day basis. It provides ideas and strategies for identifying a personal learning style in order to use your work experiences effectively for a variety of work-based assignments. The author provides a Key Components Framework (KCF) for work-based learning. It supports you in coming out of your ‘comfort zone’ and taking risks in your learning. The three strands of the KCF provide opportunities to: Reflect upon how external factors - such as government initiatives - can influence and impact on practice Consider how personal factors - such as cultural background - can impact on learning and practice Acknowledge the ‘hidden skills’ - such as ability to problem solve - that early years practitioners need in order to achieve in today’s rapidly changing early years sector Studying Early Years is an essential guide for all early years students and particularly those pursuing work-based qualifications such as the Early Years Foundation degree.