 With May half term just around the corner, now is a great time to remind families about 50 things to do before you're five - a fantastic, free resource packed with fun ideas for children aged 0 - 5.
The website and downloadable app offer 50 low or no-cost activities to help keep children entertained, active and learning, whether at home or out exploring the city.
New activity update
A new activity has now been introduced, replacing “Whee, Bang, Whizz”.
#16 Just Outside Your Door
This activity encourages children to explore the world immediately around them - noticing what they can see, hear and find just outside their home or setting. It supports curiosity and observation, helping children learn about their environment, spot natural and man-made objects, and talk about what they discover.
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Why promote it to parents?
- Completely free to use - website and app available
- Full of simple, low-cost activities for families
- Supports communication, language and early learning
- Encourages quality family time and play-based learning
- Great inspiration for keeping children busy during school holidays
Encourage parents to:
- Download the app or visit the website
- Choose an activity to try together
- Talk, play and explore with their children
Benefits for childcare providers
- Supports early learning in your setting - activities promote language, communication and curiosity through play
- Easy to embed into everyday practice - simple, low-cost ideas that can be used indoors or outdoors
- Strengthens home learning links - helps you share consistent messages and activities with families
It’s a simple way to support children’s development while having fun together - and a great tool for families and settings looking for free, local ideas.
 The SEND Workforce Development Group would really value your feedback on the Portsmouth Local Offer SEND Workforce Training page to help ensure it is useful, accessible and meets the training needs of those working with children and young people.
The survey should take no more than 5 - 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The group are keen to hear from both those who are familiar with, and have used the page, as well as those who may not yet have engaged with it, so they can better understand awareness and potential areas for development.
While they would very much welcome any additional comments you may wish to share within the survey, providing this detail is entirely optional.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your views.
 The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have published a page on gov.uk containing guidance for consumers and businesses on consumer products containing asbestos.
The page provides disposal guidance for both businesses and consumers, including early years settings, along with health information. Settings should review the linked list of contaminated products that are subject to recalls and where products are identified in the setting follow the guidance to ensure their safe disposal.
If you have concerns about a product that you think might contain asbestos but has not been recalled contact the Citizens Advice consumer service.
 Are you an experienced Early Years Leader, Manager or Practitioner ready for your next challenge?
The Thames Valley & South Central Early Years Stronger Practice Hub is looking for passionate professionals to join their team as:
Communication & Language Lead - 4 days per week
Early Maths Lead - 3 days per week
PSED Lead - 2 days per week
- Term-time only (38 weeks)
- Flexible delivery model - self-employed consultancy or release from your current setting
In these exciting roles, you will:
- Deliver DfE-approved CPD training
- Support Early Years settings to improve outcomes
- Champion evidence-based practice
- Work alongside regional and national Early Years networks
- Make a lasting difference to children’s lives
They’re looking for Level 6 qualified professionals with experience working with children aged 0 - 4 who are confident delivering training, mentoring others, and passionate about improving Early Years practice.
To request an expression of interest form, please email manager@tveysph.org.
Deadline: Friday 5 June, 9am
 Big Steps for Little People is a new stay and play group from Home-Start. The free weekly sessions offer fun activities, singing and stories for parents and children to enjoy together, helping to support child's development through play in a friendly group setting. Suitable for 1 - 5 year olds. Please share with parents.
 The Department for Education’s Early years child development training is a free, online programme designed by early years experts to support practitioners working with children from birth to reception.
This flexible online training will help you to:
- Build and strengthen your child development knowledge
- Get practical advice and ideas to support children in your setting, including reception classes
- Reflect on your practice and test your knowledge
- Learn from practical training videos filmed in early years and reception settings
- Access modules in any order, at any time
- Download a certificate on completion of each module
The programme includes 8 modules, covering key areas such as:
- Brain development and how children learn
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Mathematics
- Effective curriculum and assessment
- Supporting individual differences and needs
The training has recently been updated to include:
- Additional videos and practical advice for supporting children in reception
- Guidance on supporting the EYFS profile assessment
Access the training: Visit the Early years child development training to register or sign-in if you already have an account.
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