Welcome to April’s magazine – can you believe we’re just past a quarter of the way through the year? Time flies when, well, lots of once-in-a-lifetime events rock the news cycle in just a couple of months!

Tempting as it is to get wrapped up in the world’s events, this month we’ve chosen to remain grounded by focusing on gardening with little ones, in honour of National Gardening Day on 14 April. The Alliance’s Melanie Pilcher explains how to bring [horti]cultural capital to the early years curriculum in Inspiration Corner, while Family Corner looks at the topic of gardening from a family perspective.

Straying away from the outdoors somewhat, the Alliance’s Rebecca Elsom explains the importance of babies’ pre-verbal communication skills, while the Alliance’s Alison Heseltine divulges all the wonderful fun from the Bradford baby and toddler group celebration event in February 2025.

Meanwhile, the team at Law-Call have crafted part two of their recruitment series, this time focusing on the post-job-offer stage of the process, and Book Nook looks at three different picture books to help little ones learn about, and celebrate, the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi.

I don’t know about you, but the world is feeling pretty heavy right now, with many people worried about the future – whether that’s for their rights, their own future and/or finances, or their loved ones – and it can feel overwhelming. Make sure to take the time as a team to share your worries and concerns, to uplift one another (as well as your setting’s children and families), and to stay grounded. Community is the best tool we have.

Take care,

Jess Gibson, editor

Not only are we always looking for your good news and stories to share in My Under 5, but we’d also like to hear a little bit more about what it is that you want to see in the magazine each month. Send your good news, stories, questions or suggestions to editor.u5@eyalliance.org.uk to be featured.