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Children with ‘challenging behaviour’ can create heartache in the pre-school as they cause themselves to be isolated from their playmates at an early age. Caroline Jones puts forward some strategies for getting rid of bad behaviour before it becomes normal

After the oral feedback from an inspection the immediate reaction of providers is one of relief that it's ‘all over’ and the next inspection seems a dim and distant dream. However, once the initial euphoria of surviving the inspection has settled and the report is received, it is important to remember the purpose of the inspection. The inspection process is not merely an instrument for validating providers to receive funding. Inspection is also the process of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the setting, in order to improve the quality of educational provision for four-year-olds.

Children need regular chances, planned and spontaneous, to recognise their own names. Caroline Jones explains how these chances can become a natural part of nursery routine

In January's edition of Practical Pre-School, Dr Caroline Jones looked at the revised inspection framework. This month, she looks at self-evaluation

This is the first of two articles on the revised inspection framework introduced from September 1, 2008 by Caroline Jones

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a planning document for a child at Stage 2 or above of the Code of Practice. It is a working document to meet the needs of the child. It identifies and targets areas for action relating to the child's immediate learning needs and any arrangements which may need to be made to help the child make satisfactory progress. It also describes arrangements made to monitor and review progress and identifies any resources required.

Caroline Jones puts forward some strategies for getting rid of bad behaviour before it becomes normal

Every student can offer something to a nursery or pre-school group but you have to provide something in return and manage the student's experience with a professional approach. It is important to approach the role of placement provider with commitment.

The continuous cycle of assessing children's learning and development and planning the next steps to promote learning and development is at the heart of the practitioner's role. Planning should not just be for the nursery manager or supervisor but a team effort. Staff should meet regularly and plan together. If all staff have a say in what is happening, plans are likely to be more effective.

To understand the concepts of length, width and capacity children need to hear you use words such as ‘longer than,’ ‘shorter than’, ‘empty’ and ‘full’ in meaningful situations.

Forming relationships is about communication, about children feeling they belong and recognising their lives are connected with other people. A child who is able to establish effective relationships will grow up to be a secure, sensitive and caring adult.

Forming relationships is about communication, about children feeling they belong and recognising their lives are connected with other people. A child who is able to establish effective relationships will grow up to be a secure, sensitive and caring adult

Comparison of measures is often overlooked in the pre-school. However, it is an important element of early mathematical experiences which will lay the foundations for a whole range of concepts in science as well as in mathematics. More importantly children will learn that mathematics can be fun!