Practical Guides to Working in the Early Years

Welcome to our collection of practical guides for Early Years practitioners. Whether you’re just starting your journey in early childhood education or you’re an experienced professional looking to deepen your understanding, these resources provide the essential knowledge and hands-on strategies you need.
Each guide combines current research with real-world applications, helping you create enriching experiences for the children in your care. From understanding the fundamentals of the Early Years Foundation Stage to exploring specialist approaches like Forest Schools, these guides translate theory into practice.
The articles are designed to be both accessible and thorough. You’ll find:
- Clear explanations of key concepts
- Practical examples you can implement straight away
- Real case studies from settings across the UK
- Links to current research and best practice
- Reflection points to deepen your understanding
Whether you’re planning next week’s activities or developing your setting’s long-term strategy, these guides give you the tools and confidence to support children’s learning and development effectively.
Browse through our comprehensive collection below. Each guide builds on the foundations of child development while keeping the unique needs of your setting in mind. Remember – great practice comes from understanding not just what we do, but why we do it.
Download our Articles as PDFs
Download any of our in-depth articles as a PDF so you can revisit them whenever you want. We’ll email you a download link.
You’ll also get notification of our FREE Early Years TV videos each week and exclusive special offers.

Our Practical Guides to Working in the Early Years
New to the EYFS
Your essential starting point – understanding the framework that underpins all Early Years practice in England.
The 7 Areas of Learning in the EYFS
Exploring the core and specific areas that shape children’s development.
Early Learning Goals
Understanding what children are expected to achieve by the end of their Reception year.
Early Years Outcomes
How to track and support children’s progress through the early years.
Enabling Environments
Creating rich, stimulating spaces that support learning and development.
Developmental Milestones
Key stages of child development and how to support them.
Types & Stages of Play in the Early Years
Understanding how children learn and develop through different forms of play.
Self-Regulation in the Early Years
Supporting children to manage their emotions, behaviour and learning.
Reflective Practice
Developing your professional skills through thoughtful observation and analysis.
The Forest Schools Approach
Exploring outdoor learning and nature-based education.
Let’s Visit Numberland
A brilliant approach to developing early mathematical understanding.
Download our Articles as PDFs
Download any of our in-depth articles as a PDF so you can revisit them whenever you want. We’ll email you a download link.
You’ll also get notification of our FREE Early Years TV videos each week and exclusive special offers.
