Reviews: For your shelf

By National Day Nurseries Association (Hope Education, NDNA members £17, non-members £22)

Reviewed by Julie Vaggers, part-time head of Rowland Hill Children's Centre and Nursery School, London and tutor, mentor and assessor on the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership programme

This spiral bound booklet is a very handy and practical guide to inclusion. It introduces the practitioner to a range of topics, including the relevant legislation covering England, Wales and Scotland, regulation and inspection, funding, good practice, support and information and useful contacts. This is all covered in 54 pages, and then there are a variety of templates and sample policies for inclusion, equalities, settling in, admissions and medication. A healthcare plan proforma and an individualised SEN plan are also included. The accompanying CD Rom is an excellent resource. It is in Word format so all the forms and policies can be easily adapted to your setting. The internet contacts can be simply followed by accessing the link.

The book adopts a no-nonsense approach to inclusive approaches and beliefs, stating, 'Early years settings must promote an inclusive society in which every person is fully accepted, respected and valued'. It also upholds the role of the practitioner as one where they must 'reinforce positive social messages and be a positive role model'. The checklist for inclusive provision on page 43 provides an extremely useful tool kit for evaluating practice.

The photographs used to accompany this guide are lovely. However, I would have liked to have seen more photographs of children in early years settings involved with practitioners showing inclusive practice in action. This could have helped to better demonstrate the excellent guidance given.

Under the Sky: Playing, Working and Enjoying Adventures in the Open Air

By Sally Schweizer (Sophia Books, £14.95, 978 185584 2151)

This handbook for parents, teachers and carers follows the Rudolph Steiner philosophy, encouraging children to turn off televisions and computer games and play outdoors. The importance of children learning by being allowed to take risks is highlighted. The author also provides a wealth of ideas for games and activities to be enjoyed outside, both in rural and urban areas.

Development and Learning for Very Young Children

Edited by Hilary Fabian and Claire Mould (Sage, £18.99, 9781847873934)

This informative and thought-provoking collection of essays brings together theory, policy and practice for practitioners working with children aged from birth to three years old. Chapters range from observations to partnership with parents to creating a stimulating environment, and include case studies, discussion points and recommendations for further reading and websites. It would be a great resource for students.