Play Policy and Power - A report reviewing literature: Early Childhood Education in the UK.
This literature report critically explores the evolving role of play within early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy and practice in England from 2010 to 2025. Successive policy changes, including revisions to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and national directives like Bold Beginnings, have prioritized standardized teaching and "school readiness." This shift has led to a narrowed curriculum and the increasing use of data to measure learning. The report argues that play, once central to early years pedagogy, is now subordinated to accountability measures.
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Click on the image to the right to download the review.​​
Child in the NOW: Reclaiming Early Childhood
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Developed by Dr Aaron Bradbury and Tamsin Grimmer, the Child in the NOW model is a powerful call to action, an invitation to reimagine early years education by centring love, presence, and relationship.
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In a policy climate that too often prioritises performance over child centred approaches and child development, this model brings us back to what matters most: the child as they are today, not as a project to prepare for tomorrow. It offers a principled, research-informed framework for early years practice that honours the whole child, emotionally, relationally, and developmentally.
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Download the FREE pdf by clicking on the image on the left.
Bradbury, A. (2025) Starting Strong: Nurturing School Readiness the child centred way.
Purchase your copy here:
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Bradbury, A., Swailes, R. and Thompson, P. (2025) A Manifesto for Early Childhood.
Available from Amazon
Bradbury, A. and Swailes, R. (2025) Early Childhood Theories Today (Second Edition.
Available from Amazon
Bradbury, A., and Swailes, R. (2024) A Child Centred EYFS. London. Corwin
Available from Amazon
Bradbury, A., and Grimmer, T. (2024) Early Years Love and Nurture Rating Scales. [Ebook]. London. Lulu.
Available from Lulu
Bradbury, A., and Grimmer, T. (2024) Love and Nurture in the Early Years. London. Learning Matters
Available from Amazon
Bradbury, A., Musgrave, J., Perkins, H. (2023) A Practical Guide To Early Childhood Studies Graduate Practitioner Competencies. London. Learning Matters.
Available from Amazon
Bradbury, A. & Swailes, R. (2022) Early Childhood Theorists Today. London. Learning Matters
Available from Amazon
Bradbury, A. & Wynne, V. (2020) The Apprentice's Guide to End Point Assessment. London. Learning Matters
Available from Amazon
