Review: SNIP (Special Needs Information Press), October 2009

Dr Hannah Mortimer is an experienced educational psychologist and trainer who writes with great insight on early years matters. This book is the most recent of her publications and is a manual that offers practical advice and sample activities to facilitate the integration of the EYFS into practice for children aged between 30 months to 5 years and above. The EYFS is a comprehensive framework which sets the standards for learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years and is separated into six areas of learning.

These areas are addressed in the six main sections of the manual which deal with each of them in turn. Each chapters follows the same format and consists of activities to support the enhancement of each strand. Suggested activities are highlighted along with identification of the necessary materials, the preparation required, instructions for the session including what to say and observations to make during the lesson. Each section is provided with a set of blank proforma for record keeping purposes. The manual begins with a well planned tutorial which makes the following sections easy to navigate.

This pick-up-and-use book could save hours of planning and preparation and would be a great time-saver for those working in early years settings. It would be of particular value for those who are new to the role. For those professionals working with younger children, there is also a manual for children from birth to 36 months that has a similar format.

Price (POST FREE)
£12.50 each

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Review: Michelle Nixon (reviewed for the National Childminding Association)

What an excellent resource and I would recommend it to anyone who is involved with the EYFS! I picked it up and couldn’t put it down! It is full of excellent ideas that we could use in our roles, whether we are childminders, parents or a nursery setting.

The activities are relevant to us although I do think it would be better to work with someone else, ideally in a group setting as it would be better sharing ideas and thoughts, but overall I managed alright.

Everything is clearly laid out and it’s split into the 6 areas of the EYFS which is very helpful. It also lists the development matters and goals for that area. There is an introduction and a 'how to use the book' guide before you begin which is good.

I enjoyed doing all the activities, but personally it would have been better having someone to ‘bounce’ ideas off.

The photocopiable pages are very good and things that you would use in your setting again and again. The author has clearly thought about the design of this book and how much it will be used – again and again, because it's spiral bound and it has thick pages. The pages are clearly laid out with the same layout throughout which makes it easier to find your way around the book.

Overall I would give this book 10 out of 10.

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Price (POST FREE)
£12.50 each