My favourite things (November 2012)

Being a bit old school I still enjoy those books that I have used not just with my own children but with the children I have worked with during my career as a child care practitioner. One of my favourites is Peace at Last by Jill Murphy (MacMillan Children's Books, £6.99, ISBN 9780230015487).

Sue Pumffrey, director of accredited learning at Bright Horizons

My favourite product of the moment is from the Childcare Company's Laser Learning. Nurture is an online induction package, tailored to your nursery. Not only does it mean that new staff can do the induction before they even begin with you but the manager also has the ability to monitor what staff have and haven't looked at. This means you can document who has accessed information on safeguarding, the EYFS and planning. It's a great tool.

Sian Nisbett, owner, Dizzy Ducks

We have been inspired by a book written by Anna Ephgrave, The Reception Year in Action: A month-by-month guide to success in the classroom (Routledge, £23.99, ISBN 9780415618502). Anna Ephgrave has been doing some interesting work with Ruth Moore on spontaneous planning and the book follows the reception class as it progresses through the year, with the focus on children, not on activities.

Joanne O'Raw, head teacher at Lark Hill Nursery School, Stockport

My favourite is the mud kitchens area on www.muddyfaces.co.uk. You can download a free copy of the 'Making a Mud Kitchen' booklet by Jan White, which provides inspiration on creating an area that is guaranteed to become a favourite.

Zoe Raven, managing director of Acorn Childcare