Helping Every Child to Thrive in the Early Years shows how a personalised and relationship-based approach to education and care can help overcome the ‘disadvantage gap’ in the early years. It examines the challenges that children from disadvantaged backgrounds face and looks at what settings and practitioners can do to enable every child to succeed.

Drawing on the latest research and using the insight gained from many years of working in early education the book considers the impact that disadvantage can have on children’s development and argues that building strong relationships with children and families is key to closing the gap.

Chapters cover:

• The different kinds and effects of disadvantage

• The importance of having a clear vision and shared values

• The culture of early years and how it has shaped practice

• Developing strong parent partnerships

• Supporting children with additional needs

• Smooth transitions

Full of practical advice and supporting anecdotes and case studies, this is essential reading for early years practitioners, setting managers and teachers working with children in Reception and KS1.