Contents:
Introduction 1. Leadership and management 2. Working with others 3. Teams and team building 4. Maintaining staff motivation 4. Managing the challenge of change 6. Communicating the vision 7. Selecting suitable staff 8. Effective interviewing for selection Appendix 9. Adding to the value of the workforce 10. Caring for customers 11. Managing conflict and stress

This book draws on a wide range of management theory and shows its relevance and relationship to early years settings. Case studies are used to provide the starting point for reflection, and throughout the chapters you are asked to consider the examples, stand back, interpret and audit your own actions in order to develop your management skills. This book will assist managers and prospective managers by providing them with the tools to facilitate staff training sessions or to conduct personal enquiry into the working of their own organization. Chapters cover: leadership and management teams and team building staff motivation managing change selecting suitable staff and effective interviewing staff assessment projecting and maintaining a positive image for your school or nursery managing conflict and stress.

Evaluating Early Years Practice in Your School focuses on raising Early Years practitioners' confidence so that they worry less and achieve more. Linked to the teaching standards and the Ofsted framework, this invaluable guide looks at ways that teachers can evaluate their own EYFS practice to reduce unnecessary workload and allow for more 'hands-on' teaching and learning. Should children in Reception classes attend school assemblies? Should young children be taught to write in nursery? Should practitioners' plans be based on young children's specific interests or should they look to meet the needs of individuals entering Early Years settings with speech and language delay or autism? Early Years specialist Ann Langston considers all of these questions and more to present simple solutions for teachers and leaders on what to plan, what assessments are needed and how to approach teaching and learning. With chapters on observation and assessment, continuous provision, outdoor learning, transition, and internal and external evaluation, this book is ideal for all Early Years practitioners and leaders looking at ways to reflect on their approach to teaching and feel confident about their own judgements and the effectiveness of their practice.

This book offers in-depth insights into the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. It provides a broad exploration of the changes in the EYFS and considers how the revised EYFS framework creates both a context for learning and the basis of a curriculum for children from birth to five in early years settings. Focusing on practice, it considers a range of issues arising from the revised EYFS, including the rationale behind the new prime and specific areas of learning, and the new key themes of school readiness and engaging parents. Although the EYFS is a helpful framework for thinking about the relationship between the child, the environment, and learning and teaching at the most significant time in a young child's life, there is limited guidance on how the principles of the EYFS and the areas of learning and development can be put into practice. So if you're looking for further support and guidance on EYFS then this book is the book for you! Key features include: Up-to-date coverage and insight into the revised EYFSDelightful and detailed case studies that help link theory and practiceTips for effective practice Ways to develop teaching and learning appropriately and sensitively in tune with the needs of babies and young children This is essential reading for students who are entering the early years profession as well as for more experienced practitioners."Ann Langston is one of the most insightful and refreshing writers on early years in the country. In this wonderful book her experience and passion for the EYFS, and for learning and teaching that maximises the life chances of all children, shines powerfully through. This is a tour de force: offering scope and depth in an engaging and informing writing style peppered with fascinating real life vignettes. She begins with principles and ends with a vision for the future. A 'must have' for all those who are privileged to work with young children." Dr Jonathan Doherty, Head of Early Years & Childhood Studies, Faculty of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK"The book provides insightful discussions and examples of practice for working with children birth-five. Topical issues such as liaison with parents or school readiness give pertinent pointers for reflections." Dr Pat Beckley, Bishop Grosseteste University, UK

"The quality of children's experiences, and the engagement of their parents, particularly in these early years, is critical to better outcomes that will impact on the child right into adolescence and adulthood. While we have done much to expand quantity, we also must keep working on quality. This book is a key tool for both practitioners delivering services and managers designing and commissioning them." Naomi Eisenstadt, Director, Sure Start Unit, Department for Education and SkillsBirth to Three Matters is essential reading for anyone involved in providing care and education or developing policy for children between birth and three. The book: Explores the structure and content of the DfES Birth to Three Matters Framework Supports the use of the pack by providing more detail, background information, and discussion of current research and case studies in Early Years Examines a range of issues that impact on the development of quality in early years settings Features contributions from influential early years experts, many of whom were involved in the development of the Birth to Three Matters Framework Topics include national and international policy and research, practitioners, quality, anti-discriminatory practice, inclusion, safety, and training. A sound theoretical approach is supported and enhanced by a highly practical section, which links to the framework and shows how how observation, play, interaction and creativity affects work with very young children. This book supports a variety of professionals involved in the development of policy, practice and quality in early years settings, as well as students seeking to understand more about the Birth to Three Matters Framework and the issues that influence work with this age group.