Parents planning to give out sweets to trick or treating children this Hallowe’en might want to reconsider in the light of an Australian child obesity campaign.
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I really felt for Yellow Dot Nursery after reading the story this week (‘Noisy’ setting facing 10ft wall threat) about the setting facing complaints from neighbours about noise levels. It’s clear the nursery wants to please everyone and maintain a good relationship with the community while allowing children to benefit from outdoor play but are up against a brick wall. Read More »

By closing a college nursery, at a time when many people face job losses,  it seems rather ironic that East Durham College – a community college that on its website advertises courses to help people back into work – will be responsible for making 18 nursery staff redundant and leaving working parents with no childcare little option but to quit their jobs – just in time for Christmas. Read More »

I felt strangely guilty before conducting a phone interview today.  Last night I happily cooked some more meals for my baby daughter and this morning I spoon-fed her Weetabix for breakfast before speaking to Gill Rapley, the queen of baby led weaning (BLW).

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Talking to parents about talking to their babies can be problematic, it seems. In order to encourage parents to spend time looking, touching, holding, talking and essentially being with their babies, professional advice needs to be given in the right way otherwise it risks alienating parents. Read More »

Many parents will be wondering what’s next on the hit list, as the row over the Chancellor’s decision to axe child benefit for higher-rate taxpayers rumbles on. Read More »

I felt a vague wave of hysteria wash over me when I heard that Education Secretary Michael Gove had announced at the Conservative Party conference that the Government will open academies in scores of empty DfE buildings.

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The rain was pounding down when I followed in the footsteps of many politicians and visited the Bromley-by-Bow Centre (BBBC). The grey, cold East End of London is not where I’d choose to spend a Friday afternoon.

But the BBBC is the antithesis of the weather and the area. It’s an attractive building surrounded by a grassy park dotted with sculptures. The staff are equally warm and welcoming, even the GPs are known by their first names.  Read More »