Developing children as independent learners starts in the early years. Scientific evidence as well as the experience of experts confirms that children between three and six learn most effectively by doing. This work looks at the theory of independent learning and describes how practitioners can plan and resource the early years.

Ros Bayley was an enthusiastic advocate of personal, social and emotional education, believing that if we get this right children's intellectual development will follow much more easily. Consequently, much of her work revolved around enhancing children's self-esteem and educating for self-knowledge. Following extensive experience as an Early Years teacher, Ros later worked as a consultant, trainer and storyteller.