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When a young child is reluctant to eat, it is important not to let mealtimes become a battleground. Mary Evans suggests strategies.

Apps are becoming the latest must-have in helping practitioners with observation, assessment and planning, says Mary Evans.

Mary Evans finds out what level of support nurseries are receiving to help them to meet the target for twos in September.

What will the proposed reforms mean for you? Mary Evans takes a look at the impact that ‘new thinking’ could have across key areas of the sector.

How can practitioners ensure children in their care get safe amounts of Vitamin D from both the sun and their diet?

A Bedford-based nursery's strategy for developing children's communication skills has won it a major award.

Being able to access training at home, at work or while on the move is making online learning an increasingly popular option, says Mary Evans.

A series of large-scale acquisitions suggests the big players are thriving, but what will this mean for the coming year? Mary Evans takes a look.

Early years specialists are upbeat about this Level 3 qualification which has been designed in consultation with the big nursery chains to provide skills employers say they need.

Early Years Professional Status is gearing up for a much welcomed revamp. Mary Evans finds out why it remains the gold standard.

Reviews are rife in the early years sector. Here Mary Evans provides an indispensable guide to what's under scrutiny and when change on the ground is expected to kick in.

With the aim to extend the free entitlement to 40 per cent of all two-year-olds by 2015, nurseries are having to think long and hard about how they can equip themselves to deliver this, as it will require many changes, says Mary Evans.

The NDNA's online quality assurance scheme aims to maximise the potential of every individual to energise practice and keep it moving forward, as Mary Evans hears at the start of a new series.

As nurseries are having to tighten their belts like everyone else, Mary Evans outlines some ways that managers can take firmer control of their business finances while keeping the staff happy

Understanding child development acts as a springboard for students to examine their practice in greater depth. Mary Evans explains how this unit supports underpinning knowledge

In tough times nurseries are having to be creative and resourceful in their drive to build their business. Mary Evans hears how they are succeeding.

Providers fear they may not be able to support all the aims of the Government's reforms for early years education. Mary Evans hears about the balancing act they struggle with.

Financial experts tell Mary Evans about what makes a nursery's business plan worth more than the paper it's written on.

The challenges and benefits of reflective practice for early years practitioners are explored in depth in this unit, says Mary Evans.

Sure Start has achieved a lot in the deprived area of Great Yarmouth - and despite drastic funding cuts, it is hoped that this good work will continue. Mary Evans reports.

The recession has arrested the decline in childminder numbers as more families choose them over more expensive nurseries, but the support they receive has reduced, writes Mary Evans.

Two comparatively small units aim to provide vital skills when it comes to working with colleagues, parents and professionals, says Mary Evans.

Integrated working and family support are Birmingham's priority amid Sure Start cuts and re-organisation. Mary Evans reports.

This is a challenging unit, but one that is fundamental to providing high-quality care for young children, says Mary Evans.

Creative play and learning come more naturally when the resources are ‘open-ended’, lending themselves to a variety of uses and constantly holding attention, says Mary Evans.

Nurseries should echo society's diversity and combat biased attitudes. Mary Evans explains how.

A unit that can help prepare new practitioners for dealing with parents and multi-agency working is examined by Mary Evans.

The rules on exposing children to risk outside the classroom may soon be relaxed. Mary Evans looks at how nurseries will respond

The largest study unit in the Level 3 Diploma sounds daunting, but is highly valuable in theory and practice, says Mary Evans.

Nurseries are learning to deliver the free entitlement while remaining financially viable, says Mary Evans.

Understanding and promoting children's communication skills is a compulsory part of the new Level 3 diploma, says Mary Evans

There's a skill in sharing something you've learned with your colleagues, and it's more in demand than ever, says Mary Evans.

Children need time to think and lead. This important concept requires training, says Mary Evans.

Young children are learning empathy by caring for even younger babies. Mary Evans finds out how.

Looking after young children's welfare embraces not just secure entry systems to nursery buildings, but everyday products for hygiene, reports Mary Evans.

Is there a long-term future for the new Level 2 - and can Level 3 become a bridge to a degree? These questions on early years qualifications urgently need answers, says Mary Evans.

Although Early Years Capital Grant funding is winding down, nurseries can take a tip from settings that have used it on how best to make improvements, says Mary Evans.

Staff training, if chosen carefully, can provide value for money in keeping and promoting the best people, says Mary Evans.

Cuts will fall harder on some areas, but even in the toughest cases there are innovative ideas that nurseries can use to win through, says Mary Evans.

Working co-operatively takes complex skills. Mary Evans outlines the key areas of joined up working and how to overcome barriers to communication

The influences on today's childcare practice by the work of a pioneering European educator are explained by Mary Evans.

Grandpont Nursery, an outstanding nursery school with a children's centre, wowed the inspector with its strong teamwork ethos, says Mary Evans.

A successful nursery for children with autism makes the most of their visual skills to motivate development. Mary Evans hears how.

With so many toys and resources available for children under three, Mary Evans suggests what to look out for when buying equipment.

Early years practitioners will benefit from training in using the outdoors, whether it's a familiar place to them or not, says Mary Evans