Update 24/04: Corona Virus testing availability extended to include early years practitioners and childminders.

40: Make a giant 40 and take a picture Make a giant 40 and take a picture. Help us celebrate by making a giant 40. What way will you do it? Big... ...

40 things to do – 39: Build the biggest rolled up paper tower

1st June 201840 Things To Do

40, Birthday

39: Build the biggest rolled up paper tower Build the biggest rolled up paper tower. A team challenge. Using only paper and masking tape challenge them to build the tallest paper tower... ...

40 things to do – 38: Have fun with slime

31st May 201840 Things To Do

38: Have fun with slime Have fun with slime. Make the classic gloop recipe from cornflour, water and food colouring. Solid one minute and liquid the next children love to experiment with... ...

40 things to do – 37: Put on a puppet show

31st May 201840 Things To Do

37: Put on a puppet show Put on a puppet show. Where to start with a puppet show? Is it making the puppets? Is it writing the story and songs? Is it... ...

40 things to do – 36: Go Pond Dipping

31st May 201840 Things To Do

36: Go Pond Dipping Go pond dipping. Just as much fun on a cold day as on a warm one. Get out the wellies, buckets, nets, pots/trays and magnifying glasses and find... ...

40 things to do – 35: Tie Dye a t-shirt

31st May 201840 Things To Do

35: Tie Dye a t-shirt Tie dye a t-shirt. Get ready for the summer sun with a designer one-off t-shirt. For best results do this over a number of days with at... ...

40 things to do – 34: Build a Windmill

31st May 201840 Things To Do

34: Build a Windmill Build a windmill. Using thick paper or flexible card cut a square shape 20cm by 20cm is a good size, but you can have any size you want.... ...

40 things to do – 33: Create a dance routine

30th May 201840 Things To Do

33: Create a dance routine Create a dance routine. Lots of children love to dance, copying the latest dance moves and making up a few of their own. Challenge the dancers to... ...

40 things to do – 32: Go on a treasure hunt

30th May 201840 Things To Do

32: Go on a treasure hunt Go on a treasure hunt. This could be big or small. You could do it in your outside area and hide treasure to be found, either... ...

40 things to do – 31: Make junk drums

30th May 201840 Things To Do

31: Make junk drums Make junk drums. You can make drums out of almost anything! All you need is a hollow container (a cylinder shape is often good) and something to make... ...

40 things to do – 30: Bubble Painting

30th May 201840 Things To Do

30: Bubble Painting Bubble painting. Assemble some containers, a range of yoghurt pots, bowls, mugs and even trays. Put some paint, water and washing up liquid into each of them. Using straws... ...

40 things to do – 29: Obstacle Course

30th May 201840 Things To Do

29: Obstacle Course Obstacle course. This can be anything from sports equipment arranged to the contents of your loose parts box/shed. You can make it or you could let the children create... ...

40 things to do – 28: Make a bird feeder

30th May 201840 Things To Do

28: Make a bird feeder Make a bird feeder. Encourage wildlife by making bird feeders. From a simple plastic bottle with a wooden spoons stuck through filled with seed, or make fat... ...

40 things to do – 27: Write a song

30th May 201840 Things To Do

27: Write a song Write a song. There is bound to be musical talent in your club whether it is singers, musicians or lyric writers. You could start off by writing alternative... ...

40 things to do – 26: Play Hide & Seek

30th May 201840 Things To Do

26: Play Hide & Seek Play hide and seek. It’s the best game as you all know. Play it inside, outside and on trips. It’s important to establish a boundary to play... ...

40 things to do – 25: Paint with ice

30th May 201840 Things To Do

25: Paint with ice Paint with ice. Put different colour paint in an ice cube trays and add water & mix. Start freezing, half way through put a lolly stick in each... ...

40 things to do – 24: Have a water fight

30th May 201840 Things To Do

Have a water fight 24. Have a balloon water fight. Have your balloons ready for a nice warm day. You can buy small water balloons or you can use ordinary party balloons... ...

40 things to do – 23: Make a Robot

30th May 201840 Things To Do

23: Make a Robot Make a robot. This could be anything from the classic cardboard box and silver paper to junk bots made out of old electronic items for the more technologically... ...

25th May 201840 Things To Do

24: Have water balloon fight Have your balloons ready for a nice warm day. You can buy small water balloons or you can use ordinary party balloons (party balloons are more likely... ...

FUNDRAISING BLOG: Big Thank you to Little Lives

23rd May 2018Fundraising News

fundraising, makaton

FUNDRAISING BLOG: Big Thank you to Little Lives BAND would like to say a big thank you to Little Lives for kindly funding one of the BAND Makaton training courses. Little Lives are... ...

Healthy Eating Week

23rd May 2018Events

British Nutrition Foundation Healthy Eating Week takes place 11th-15th June and aims to increase knowledge about healthy eating and well-being, physical activity, food provenance and cooking. A series of free resources and... ...

40 things to do – 22: Build a S(B)andcastle

22nd May 201840 Things To Do

22: Build a S(B)andcastle From a simple bucket castle to an elaborate sand sculpture you can make what you want. For best results use fine damp sand and keep wetting it and... ...

40 things to do – 21: Find a Gromit

22nd May 201840 Things To Do

21: Find a Gromit Gromit Unleashed 2 is coming, from Monday 2nd July until Sunday 2nd September 2018, over 60 decorated sculptures will descend on Bristol raising money for Bristol Children’s Hospital... ...

40 things to do – 20: Hunt for bugs

22nd May 201840 Things To Do

20: Hunt for bugs Get out the magnifying glasses and get really close to the ground or trees and bushes and see what you can find. You could collect some bugs (gently)... ...

40 things to do – 19: Make a trail with sticks

22nd May 201840 Things To Do

19: Make a trail with sticks Find a wood and split your group into two. The first group goes out and lays a trail using sticks to make arrows on the ground... ...

40 things to do – 18: Make a picture in a stream

22nd May 201840 Things To Do

18: Make a picture in a stream Find an area with very shallow water (such as the Trym as it flows down through the gorge at Blaise Castle. Find lots of pebbles... ...

40 things to do – 17: Grow Some Cress

22nd May 201840 Things To Do

17: Grow Some Cress Fill a container (a small pot or tray) with potting soil. Or you can use a few moist paper towels on a tray. Scatter the garden cress seeds... ...

40 things to do – 16: Make a den inside

22nd May 201840 Things To Do

40 years, Birthday, things to do things to do

16: Make a den inside There is no limit to what materials can be used for an indoor den. The classics are: the blanket/sheet/old curtains den; the cardboard dens; the piles of... ...

40 things to do – 15: Make a daisy chain

21st May 201840 Things To Do

15: Make a daisy chain Wait till the daisies are nice & big and pick enough to make whatever size chain you need. Start with one daisy and using your thumb nail... ...

40 things to do – 14: Climb a Hill

21st May 201840 Things To Do

40 years, Birthday, things to do things to do

14: Climb a Hill Yes, Bristol is full of hills so you can take your pick. The feeling of achievement when you get to the top and can see for miles is... ...

40 things to do – 13: Build a den

18th May 201840 Things To Do

13: Build a den Everyone loves den building and we love going up to Leigh Woods to find some sticks to build with. Use branches, twigs, leaves and even mud to make... ...

40 things to do – 12: Play Pooh Sticks

18th May 201840 Things To Do

12: Play Pooh Sticks After reading a few Winnie- the-Pooh stories , have fun playing this iconic game. Best played with 2 or more people. Find a fast flowing river with a... ...

40 things to do – 11: Make a bug house

18th May 201840 Things To Do

11: Make a bug house Insects are really important for the environment and some of their natural habitats are threatened. So we can help them by building a bug house. Find a... ...

40 things to do – 10: Bake a cake

18th May 201840 Things To Do

10: Bake a cake There are so many cakes out there. Help us celebrate by cooking big cakes or cupcakes; chocolate cake to courgette cake; Decorated cake to plain delicious cake. What’s... ...

40 things to do – 9: Make a grass trumpet

18th May 201840 Things To Do

9: Make a grass trumpet Amaze your friends with this lost art. Find a long fat blade of grass and hold it between your thumbs at the bottom and top. Make sure... ...

40 things to do – 8: Paint a rock

18th May 201840 Things To Do

8: Paint a rock Children decorate rocks with paints, Sharpie pens or nail varnish, and then leave them lying around, partially hidden in places where other children will easily find them. It’s... ...

40 things to do – 7: Climb a tree

18th May 201840 Things To Do

7: Climb a tree Find a good woodland with a range of climbable trees – you will need different trees for different sized children. The tree that suits the child is the... ...

40 things to do – 6: Fly a kite

18th May 201840 Things To Do

6: Fly a kite If you fancy building a kite to fly, look at the BAND Pinterest board – kites. There are paper bag, classic diamond shape and more unusual shaped kites... ...

40 things to do – 5: Jump in puddles

18th May 201840 Things To Do

5: Jump in puddles Is there any greater joy than jumping in a really big puddle creating a huge splash? Make sure people are kitted up in wet weather gear (or have... ...

40 things to do – 4: Create a secret code

18th May 201840 Things To Do

4: Create a secret code There are lots of ways to do this: writing words backwards; substituting numbers for letters, pig latin, symbols. See who can crack the code – they could... ...

40 things to do – 3: Walk 2 miles

18th May 201840 Things To Do

3:Walk 2 miles There are a lot of green spaces in Bristol so get out and walk. The council have maps for walking routes in parks all over the city, take a... ...

40 things to do – 2: Build a dam

16th May 201840 Things To Do

2: Build a dam Do you know of a shallow stony stream? If so get the wellies on (do a risk assessment) and get building. Experiment with stones and sticks to see... ...

40 things to do – 1: Visit a museum

16th May 201840 Things To Do

40 years, activities, Birthday, things to do

1: Visit a museum There are lots of museums in Bristol. In the centre you have the Mshed and Bristol Museum both run touring exhibitions as well as their main collections. This... ...

National Walking Month 2018

10th April 2018Events

May 2018 is National Walking Month: why not plan an event for your setting to take part? As part of this, Walk to School Week is 21-25th May: why not encourage all... ...

Data Protection & GDPR- where to find advice

28th March 2018Events

Data Protection & GDPR- where to find advice Childcare settings need to comply with the new General Data Protection Regulations 2018 (GDPR 2018) which, in May 2018, will replace the Data Protection... ...

Childcare Vouchers

27th March 2018Events

The Childcare Voucher Scheme, which would have closed to new applicants from 5th April has now been extended to 5th October 2018. This means that parents/carers who meet the employment criteria and have not yet... ...

Scarlet Fever in Bristol (March ’18).

23rd March 2018Events

Please be aware there is a current outbreak of Scarlet Fever in Bristol. If you have two or more cases of Scarlet Fever in your setting, you must contact Public Health... ...

Fundraising Blog: Somerset Crimebeat Trust

21st March 2018Fundraising News

Fundraising Blog: Somerset Crimebeat Trust This grant programme is open for applications all year. Opening Date: Applications can be made at any time, but are awarded quarterly by the panel. Maximum grant... ...

Evelyn (Young in the 60’s, out and about in the 70’s)

16th February 2018What we remember- memories of play

Evelyn (Young in the 60’s, out and about in the 70’s) L iving in the country there was a lot of outdoor messing about in good weather, getting stuck in the mud... ...

Fundraising news: Ford Britain

5th February 2018Fundraising News

Ford Britain Ford Britain Trust is committed to supporting local UK communities. Applications that are based near to a Ford plant or office location in the UK are awarded a higher weight... ...

Ellie (Young in the 80’s)

29th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Ellie (Young in the 80’s) I lived in a small cluster of houses in a little village in the New Forest and the thing I remember the most is a distinct lack... ...

Michelle (Young in the mid 70’s/early 80’s)

29th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Michelle (Young in the mid 70’s/early 80’s) We lived in cul de sac and lived in a terraced house. We used to play outside in the street a lot we had a... ...

Fenella (Young in the late 60’s/mid 70’s)

29th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Fenella (Young in the late 60’s/mid 70’s ) We lived in cul de sac in a large detached house with a three quarter of an acre garden which included a stream and... ...

Julie B (freedom to roam in the 60’s)

29th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Julie B (Freedom to roam in the 60’s) We lived above a newsagent sweet shop which was my parents’ shop. I remember nicking the sweets and weighing out the snuff, and reading... ...

Sarah (Young in the 70’s/80’s)

29th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Sarah (Young in the 70’s/80’s) I had an amazing library – things were very meticulously organised and everyone who came to the house would have to borrow a book! I still have... ...

Julie (Freedom to roam in the 60’s)

26th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Julie (Freedom to roam in the 60’s) We lived in a street of semi detached houses in a deprived part of South Bristol. We used to play outside in the fields a... ...

Jenny (Young in the 70’s, freedom to roam in the 80’s)

26th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Jenny (Young in the 70’s, freedom to roam in the 80’s) I grew up in a suburb of North Bristol, living in a terrace of 3 houses in the middle of the... ...

Play throughout the ages

24th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Play throughout the ages 1900’s: In a stark contrast to today, in the early 1900’s children were expected to entertain themselves. There was no money for expensive toys, and the adults were... ...

Annie -Young in the 60’s

24th January 2018What we remember- memories of play

Annie-Young in the 60’s We lived on Lodge Causeway in Fishponds which wasn’t a busy road then like it is now. Our house was a terraced one with an outside toilet. I have... ...

Is it time to let children play outdoors once more?

24th January 2018Events, What we remember- memories of play

childhood, outdoors, play

Is it time to let children play outdoors once more? Back in 2008 the decline in children’s play was laid bare when Government ministers admitted that one in four eight- to 10-year-olds... ...

FUNDRAISING BLOG: The Garfield Weston Foundation

24th January 2018Fundraising News

Fundraising News: The Garfield Weston Foundation The Garfield Weston Foundation are excited to announce that on the 5th January 2018 they will be launching a new one-off grants scheme to celebrate the... ...

We Need Your Help in developing the Playwork Apprenticeship Standards

24th January 2018Playwork

ATTENTION PLAYWORK EMPLOYERS: We Need Your Help in developing the Playwork Apprenticeship Standards The Government wants employers to be at the centre of the process for designing and delivering Apprenticeships. This is... ...

What we remember- memories of play

23rd January 2018What we remember- memories of play

What we remember – memories of play Compiled by Ellie @ BAND We all know that there are many, many articles about how children nowadays spend too much time indoors or on... ...

FUNDRAISING BLOG: UnLtd, Sport relief & Spirit of 2012

20th December 2017Fundraising News

SPORTS, young people, Youth

FUNDRAISING BLOG: UnLtd, Sport relief & Spirit of 2012 UnLtd, in partnership with Sports Relief and the Spirit of 2012, has announced that young people who want to start, grow or build... ...

BANDNews-Back Issues: Safeguarding Bristol’s Children

19th December 2017Newsletter

Safeguarding Bristol’s Children From 2017 In September, Bristol Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) issued new guidance around making referrals to First Response that all childcare and school settings should have received. First Response... ...

FUNDRAISING BLOG:Blue Spark Foundation

6th December 2017Fundraising News

fundraising

Blue Spark Foundation B lueSpark Foundation is a registered charity which supports the education and development of children and young people by providing grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects. They will fund schools.... ...

FUNDRAISING BLOG

6th December 2017Fundraising News

1) Music for All Many projects and initiatives take place throughout the UK that all aim to bring music to their community. Most would benefit from a “helping hand” to fulfil their... ...

BANDNEWS – BACK ISSUES: Cooking Corner: Ice Cream in a Bag

25th September 2017Newsletter

BAND NEWS – BACK ISSUES: Cooking Corner: Ice Cream in a Bag From JULY 17 When summer comes, the days will be hot and balmy and we will all be longing for... ...

BANDNEWS – BACK ISSUES: Learning from the death of four year old Chadrack Mulo

25th September 2017Newsletter

policy, safeguarding, welfare

Learning from the death of four year old Chadrack Mulo What should we do when a child has an un-notified absence? From JULY 17 Chadrack Mulo was a four year old boy... ...

BANDNews-Back Issues: Lockdown Procedure

25th September 2017Newsletter

policy, safeguarding, safety

Lockdown Procedure From JULY 17 Does your setting have a robust and tested Lockdown Procedure? We recommend all settings consider having a Lockdown Procedures as a sensible response to any external or... ...

BANDNews – Back issues: A Grand Day Out

25th September 2017Newsletter

Bristol

A Grand Day Out From JULY 17 So many places to go, how can you make sure your playscheme trip goes really well? The first question to ask is what are the... ...

BANDNews – Back issues: Building Relationships Across Generations

20th September 2017Newsletter

Building Relationships Across Generations May 2017 Becket Hall Day Nursery and Osbourne Court Care Home have entered into an unusual partnership; for the last 5 months, a group of children from the... ...

BANDNews-Back issues: Movement in Mind

19th September 2017Events, Newsletter

Health

BANDNews-Back issues: Movement in Mind From MAY 2017 In recent years, we’ve heard a lot about the importance of playing outside and being able to run around for children’s development. Further neuroscience... ...

BANDNews-Back issues: Rates Boost Childcare Equality?

19th September 2017Newsletter

BANDNews back issues: Rates Boost Childcare Equality? From MAY 2017 Anew report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests that the governments’ proposal to allow local authorities to retain 100%... ...

BANDNews-Back issues: Short Changed?

19th September 2017Newsletter

BANDNews-Back issues: Short Changed? From MAY 2017 A lthough the national minimum wage and living wage levels increased in April, research by the DfE in 2016 and more recently by the Family... ...

BAND Fundraising Resources

24th July 2017Fundraising

BAND Fundraising Resources Fundraising is an important part of life for many groups. To help, BAND can provide practical advice and support to childcare providers on how to access various sources of funding. ... ...

Co-op Membership Funding – Music Workshops

12th May 2017BAND events, Fundraising News

BAND has been shortlisted for funding through the Co-op Membership funding programme …and we need your vote to attract as many funds as possible. Funding will be used to pay for free... ...

BAND Equalities Conference: All together now.

9th February 2017Featured

Equalities underpin all aspects of our work with children and young people. It’s a vital part of our ongoing professional development that can get neglected and overlooked. All Together Now March 28... ...

Safer Internet Day 2017 – 7th February

6th February 2017Events

Safer Internet Day – 7th February saferinternet.org.uk Safer Internet Day 2017 will take place on Tuesday 7th February with the theme ‘Be the change: unite for a better internet’. https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2017 Quick links:... ...

Early Years Designated Safeguarding Leads Network Meetings.

3rd February 2017Events

Early Years Designated Safeguarding Leads Network Meetings. These meetings will take place 3 times a year and will be organised on an area basis. Download the flyer here: EY Designated lead meetings... ...

Makaton Enhancement course, February: Spaces available

19th January 2017Events

disabilities, Education, enablement, makaton, training

Makaton Enhancement BAND still has spaces on the 6 session Makaton Enhancement course commencing on Wednesday 22nd February, 9.30am – 1pm at the BAND office. The other sessions will run on 8th,... ...

Band Annual Report 2015-16

12th January 2017BAND events

Band Annual Report 2015-16. It’s been a very busy and productive year at BAND. During the year we’ve had applications for BAND membership from 31 organisations and individuals, including: nurseries, preschools, schools,... ...

Spaced Out!: Space activities for kids

18th February 2016Newsletter

Looking for an activity theme over the next few months? How about focusing on space to celebrate the European Space Agency’s (ESA) six month ‘Principia’ mission. The mission began in December... ...

Bristol -Time to stand up for children’s play!

25th November 2015Bristol, Featured

The Bristol Play Network has been campaigning during 2015 to raise awareness about children’s opportunities to play. So as the autumn ends and the nights draw in it seems a good time... ...

BAND visit the Play Bus Sensory Truck

26th October 2015Events

Friday, 22 May 2015 BAND visit the Play Bus Sensory Truck As part of our on-going commitment to inclusion, BAND has run a pilot session with the PlayBus Sensory Truck to see if improving... ...

Craft Skills 21st September 2012

24th September 2012BAND events

Craft Skills 21st September 2012, a set on Flickr. Photos of the Craft Skills course held last week, thanks to all those involved for making it a great day ...

Photos of the PAWS Fire Workshop led by the Ape Project

14th November 2012BAND events

PAWS Fire Workshop 2012, a set on Flickr. ...

Bristol Adventure Playgrounds

21st February 2013Bristol

Bristol Adventure Playgrounds Adventure Playgrounds have been around in the UK for over 60 years, but with funding cuts affecting services across the UK, what might happen in Bristol? To set the... ...

Bristol’s drive towards inclusion

21st March 2013Bristol, Inclusion

We know that families of disabled children and disabled children need support to ensure that they can access a full range of services, sometimes that support is ensuring our own services are... ...

Theme Time

9th July 2013Bristol, EYFS

Ok, it’s the summer. This means it’s up to you all to think of fab, funny and physical ideas for the summer playschemes. It’s great to have a range of starting points... ...

Get Hunting!

10th July 2013Bristol, EYFS

Looking for some active, outdoor fun? Then why not plan a scavenger hunt. This is a great way to really explore any outdoor (or even indoor) environment. You can do it anywhere... ...

Space Theme Inspiration

12th July 2013Bristol, EYFS

It’s been a few months of amazing space events: MARSONE, an initiative to place humans on Mars in 2023, attracts over 80,000 video applicants. It’s a one way trip for... ...

The Ofsted Big Conversation

16th September 2013Bristol, EYFS

The Ofsted Big Conversation On the evening of Friday 13thSeptember, despite the awful weather, we were fortunate enough to be able attend one of the National Ofsted Big Conversations that had been... ...

First Response launches its city-wide service from 16th December 2013

11th December 2013Bristol, EYFS

From 16th December 2013 First Response will be the place to call in Bristol if you are concerned about a child or young person or think they need support. When... ...

Celebrate Brazil 2014

22nd May 2014Bristol, EYFS

Celebrate Brazil 2014 As Brazil hosts the World Cup from the 12thJune, we have pulled together some Brazilian themed activities and ideas that you could try out in your setting, alongside their... ...

Update on Ofsted Big Conversation

1st October 2014Bristol, EYFS

Last night saw the South West Big Conversation meeting enabling Early Years Providers and support workers and representatives from Ofsted to enter in to a dialogue. The Ofsted panel of 4 included... ...

Disqualification – Dazed and Confused?

17th February 2015Bristol, EYFS

You may be aware that there has been growing discussion, debate, contradiction and general kerfuffle over what exactly are the rules regarding disqualification of a worker due to ‘Association’. This means where... ...

Celebrate Brazil 2014

16th February 2015Featured