The amazing benefits of carpentry on a developing child far outweigh the potential for the challenges involved in introducing woodworking to your centre. For children aged 4 and older, carpentry can be taught and safely experimented with, just as in any other area of the classroom.

Walk into any Early Childhood Centre, or family play room and you're almost guaranteed to see building blocks. They may come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours (and it's best they do!) but the important role they play in a child's development is universal.

Setting up a new early childhood centre can be a daunting task.  We've collated a few of our top resources and tips to help you get started. abc

It goes without saying that sleep is important.  What is surprising is just how important sleep is to a young, developing mind.  In her 2009 dissertation for her Masters degree at the University of Canterbury entitled ‘The Quality of Naps in Young Children with Sleeping Difficulties: The Role of Parents and Preschools’ Lucia Torok highlights the conflicting best practices to nap times in early childhood centres in New Zealand but one thing that remains undisputed is the important role it plays.

Lucia cites quotes from Mindell & Owens (2003), Blissitt (2001) and Gomez, Bootzin & Nadel (2006), which all highlight how sleep is a major activity of the brain during development and that sleeping once learning has occurred can help cement the lessons in the child’s mind.