An invaluable handbook to help childminders to reach an outstanding level, all day, everyday, and not just during inspection.

Nursery leaders play a crucial role in the overall smooth running of their nursery, as they are ultimately in charge of the recruitment of staff, child protection and development, and health and safety. They are responsible for writing and implementing policies and procedures that require current, up-to-date knowledge and for ensuring that legislation is being followed at all times. Most importantly, nursery leaders are key to achieving an 'outstanding' grade from Ofsted in all areas of nursery life. How to be an Outstanding Nursery Leader covers common everyday situations, such as staffing and potential problems, and is a useful tool for anyone enrolled on the CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner. Allison Lee uses her wealth of experience to explore important aspects of management, including effective staff meetings, appraisals and supervisions, to help a nursery leader get the best from their team and earn that all-important 'outstanding' grade from Ofsted.

Let's All Play is packed with enjoyable, easy to do literacy activities for young children. It provides fun, stimulating and inclusive ideas suitable for a range of children including those with special educational needs (SEN) and those learning English as an additional language (EAL). Topics covered include: • Food Glorious Food• Opposites• Houses and Homes• All About Me• Animals This excellent resource is for anyone working with Nursery, Reception or Pre-school children in any early years setting.

For all those working in Early Years, improving quality experiences for all young children is a priority. By examining issues surrounding quality improvement, the importance of reflective practice and the attributes required in the workplace to effect change and leadership, this book provides a contemporary view of practice. Chapters focus on how settings can improve quality experiences for young children and how to implement strategies that lead to quality improvement. Issues covered include: - multi-disciplinary working - evaluating impact through reflective practice - creativity, digital technologies and play - safeguarding young children - leading practice and leading change - working with parents - improving the quality of student experience This text allows students and practitioners to examine and reflect on practises that lead to creative Quality Improvement Strategies (QIS) in Early Years settings. Michael Reed is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Worcester, Institute of Education: Centre for Early Childhood Natalie Canning is a Lecturer in Early Years at The Open University.

While the seemingly perfect celebrities in glossy magazines may make juggling family life with a career look effortless, the reality is that reaching equilibrium without going insane requires support and some excellent advice! Mothers Work! dissects and discusses the burning issues playing on these mothers' minds, with a warm, encouraging voice that nudges women to be proactive and gently draws mums away from the pressure of perfection. Jessica shows us that 'it's good to be good enough' and explains how to do it! This book will help you to: know your ideal work scenario; keep in touch and ask for what you want; see your family as a team; find childcare that fits your family; get a grip on guilt; go for 'good enough' at home; get organised for a smooth return; do what it takes to thrive.

This is part two in an uplifting four-part serial from bestseller Cathy Bramley. Gina's array of cheeky companions at Welcome Cottage are the perfect, cheerful reminder that life must go on, however tough it gets. A picnic at The Evergreens gives Gina an exciting idea: what if the house could be a place where the young and old could fit together? But it also brings her closer to Dexter: one of the people behind the sale of the house. As the sparks fly between them, Gina carries on fighting for her friends, her home and her business. The wheels are in motion for an ambitious ploy that is sure to keep The Evergreens from selling - but it might well leave her and Dexter's budding friendship in tatters... Return to the village of Barnaby and the world of the bestselling novel, The Lemon Tree Cafe. A Patchwork Family is a heartwarming novel told in four parts, following the challenges and triumphs faced by Gina Moss as she swaps an easy life for a happy one. This is the second part. ***** Praise for Cathy Bramley from some of your other favourite authors: 'Delightful!' Katie Fforde 'A page-turner of a story' Milly Johnson 'Delightfully warm with plenty of twists and turns' Trisha Ashley 'The perfect romantic tale, to warm your heart and make you smile' Ali McNamara

This is part three in an uplifting four-part serial from bestseller Cathy Bramley. After Gina and her friends' attempts at sabotage, the future of The Evergreens still hangs in the balance. To make matters even more complicated, she can now add one sweet kiss to the mix... and another prospective buyer. As the weight of her promise to save the house hangs heavily over her, seeing the children bubbling with joy in a crafting session with the elders lights a fresh fire in her belly. Deep down Gina believes that some risks are worth taking. The question is, does she believe in herself? Return to the village of Barnaby and the world of the bestselling novel, The Lemon Tree Cafe. A Patchwork Family is a heartwarming novel told in four parts, following the challenges and triumphs faced by Gina Moss as she swaps an easy life for a happy one. This is the third part. ***** Praise for Cathy Bramley from some of your other favourite authors: 'Delightful!' Katie Fforde 'A page-turner of a story' Milly Johnson 'Delightfully warm with plenty of twists and turns' Trisha Ashley 'The perfect romantic tale, to warm your heart and make you smile' Ali McNamara

First published in 1979, this book looks at the subject of childminding in Britain at the time it was written. It is based on a national survey that was commissioned by the Social Science Research Council and on action to help childminders funded by the Wates Foundation at Manchester University, UK. Previous to this study it was calculated that more than one million children under the age of five had a working mother, but little research had been done into childminders themselves. This book evaluates the number and nature of the childminders in Britain that were looking after the nation’s children in the 70s. It argues that parents have a right to choose to work if society can guarantee loving and skilled care for their children. However, the authors suggest that this was not the case at the time and state that childminders were in need of better governmental support.

Designed for the CACHE Certificate in Childminding Practice Level 3, this text covers the topics of: routines for children; play activities in the home; managing behaviour; and keeping children safe. It draws on the candidates' own practical knowledge and the relevance of their studies.

With more and more women with young children returning to work, hundreds of thousands of children in England and Wales are being cared for by childminders. The demand for good quality, flexible childcare is huge. If you are a childminder in the early stages of setting up your business, or you are considering caring for children in your own home, this book will help you to: decide whether a career working with children is for you; decide whether working from your own home will suit you, your family and your lifestyle; understand the Regulations and Standards imposed by Ofsted; guide you through the registration process; prepare you for Ofsted inspections; help you to target the right market and advertise your services; and manage the financial side of your business.