az.early.years
Free
EPreschool (3–4)Explorer Bag Checklist
Free checklist to turn any walk into an adventure. Our A for Adventure freebie.
Free
Early years, from A to Z
Childhood should be full of wonder and adventure.
Ideas, inspiration and gentle know-how for early years educators and families. One letter, one idea, lots of little adventures.
Little moments.
Lifelong learning.
Lifelong learning.
What is A–Z of Early Years?
To inspire and support early years educators with creative, meaningful and practical ideas from A to Z, that keep the magic of childhood alive.
play
Play and exploration
Hands-on, meaningful learning. Play is how young children make sense of the world.
wonder
Curiosity and wonder
Children's questions are the best starting point. We follow them and see where they lead.
belong
Inclusion and belonging
Ideas that reflect every child, every family and every child's unique journey.
Latest from the Journal
A for Adventure
Children deserve adventure in everyday life. It does not need a grand plan or expensive kit. A minibeast hunt, a magnifying glass or a walk turned into a treasure hunt can become the moment a child remembers.
No child looks back and remembers a lovely worksheet. They remember the adventures.
Read the full postPlay ideas
All play ideasLittle adventures to try this week
Simple, low-cost ideas for the setting or home. No special kit needed.
Go on a minibeast hunt
Minibeast hunts build curiosity, careful handling, early maths and a huge amount of new vocabulary.
Try this idea →
Turn a walk into a treasure hunt
An ordinary walk becomes an adventure.
Try this idea →
Build a den together
Den building combines teamwork, planning and problem solving with a cosy space children feel ownership of..
Try this idea →
Look closely at tiny things
Slow, close looking builds attention, language and a sense of wonder about the natural world..
Try this idea →“It's those adventurous, imaginative moments that children remember.”A–Z of Early Years
Meet the characters
Meet them allSix friends on the A–Z adventure
Sam, Isla, Ishi, Mary, Hamda and John appear across our posts, each with their own way of seeing the world.
JH
Meet the founder
Created by an early years leader
A–Z of Early Years is created by Jennifer Hammond, Head of Early Years and Teaching and Learning Lead, with more than 16 years of UK curriculum experience, 14 of them leading learning in the UAE. She led her setting to become the first Curiosity Approach accredited school in Abu Dhabi.
- 16+ years UK curriculum
- 14 years in the UAE
- Head of Early Years
- Teaching and Learning Lead
- NPQ SENCO (in progress)
- First Curiosity Approach accredited school in Abu Dhabi
Follow along
Follow @az.early.yearsFrom our Instagram
New letters, ideas and little moments every week. Follow @az.early.years.
From the A–Z shop
Visit the shopPrintables to bring the ideas to life
Many are free. The rest cost less than a coffee.
Free
WNursery (2–3)First Words Picture Cards
Free picture cards for 50 everyday first words to build early vocabulary.
Free
Minibeast Hunt Pack
Spotter sheets, tally cards and labels for a real outdoor minibeast hunt.
AED 12£2.50
Feelings Faces Cards
Illustrated emotion cards to help children name and talk about feelings.
AED 7£1.50
Questions educators and families ask
What is A–Z of Early Years?
A–Z of Early Years is an early childhood education project that explores one idea for every letter of the alphabet. Each letter shares a value or practice, such as Adventure, Belonging or Curiosity, with simple ideas educators and families can try straight away.
Who creates A–Z of Early Years?
It is created by Jennifer Hammond, a Head of Early Years with more than 16 years of UK curriculum experience, including 14 years in the UAE. She led her setting to become the first Curiosity Approach accredited school in Abu Dhabi.
Who is A–Z of Early Years for?
It is for nursery practitioners, preschool and Reception teachers, childminders, early years leaders and families of children aged 2 to 5, in the UK, the UAE and anywhere the EYFS is used.
Why does adventure matter in early childhood?
Adventure gives children reasons to explore, take healthy risks, solve problems and use their imagination. Small everyday adventures, like a minibeast hunt or a treasure hunt walk, build confidence, language and a love of learning.
What is play-based learning?
Play-based learning is an approach where children learn through meaningful, hands-on play. Adults plan rich environments, notice children's interests and join in thoughtfully, so curiosity drives learning across communication, physical, social and thinking skills.
What does continuous provision mean in the early years?
Continuous provision is the set of resources and areas that are always available for children to use independently, such as sand, water, construction, mark making and the outdoor area. It lets children revisit, practise and extend their learning in their own way.