Course Overview
The Annual Report of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2021/22 recognises that, “As children return to early years settings, we are seeing the longer-term impact of the pandemic and the effect that missing early education has had on them.”
Key note speeches and workshops will offer delegates practical ways to address and overcome these challenges within their schools and settings. The annual report makes particular reference to delays in children’s communication and language development and personal, social and emotional development observed during recent inspections. Both key note speakers will deliver workshops that directly link to these areas.
Workshops will include information about curriculum intent and implementation. Curriculum remains high on the agenda for the sector, along with supporting children’s early language and literacy development, as per the rationale behind the EY Reforms. The key note speakers are both early years specialists who are familiar with the reforms and current priorities within the sector. Both are aware of the need to establish ways in which effective practice in the EYFS will lead to improved outcomes for children at aged 5. This will be incorporated into their key note speeches.
Key note speeches:
Julie Revels (am) ‘Roots and Wings - understanding and supporting resilience in the early years’ Building resilience is a life long journey, which has its roots in the early years. Julie’s keynote will focus on the importance of building resilience throughout the early years. It will consider the recent challenges faced by young children and their families and the important role early years practitioners have as part of a resilience network.
Aaron Bradbury (pm) ‘Early Years today: Reframing Early Years Pedagogy’ Aaron will refer to his book, co-edited with Ruth Swailes, Early Childhood Theories Today to explore concepts of theory, child development and early years practice. This will link to a more critical lens on how we can bring our early years practice back to the focus, on the child.
Workshops
Aaron Bradbury (am only) ‘Nurturing the Early Years environment for reading and literacy.’ We don't have to always have teachable moments to see children learning and developing with their language, reading and literacy skills. Aaron will look at using the environment as the third teacher and will explore key theoretical underpinning to discuss children's development.
Julie Revels (pm only) ‘Resilience and well- being for all – what this look like in practice’. It is well known that children’s’ wellbeing and their resilience is closely linked to the wellbeing and resilience of the adults they spend time with. Building resilience and prioritising wellbeing for children and adults alike is one of the most important foundations for children’s development and learning. Julie’s workshop will provide an opportunity to take a closer look at resilience and in particular using the 7C’s of resilience. There will also be an opportunity to discuss well-being for the whole team.
Art Works (am and pm) ‘Exploring progression through creative arts activities’ During the session delegates will have the opportunity to explore painting and colour in the EYFS, from mark making to handling brushes and developing line. This session will allow delegates to explore some accessible techniques to take back to the classroom which will help build skills over time.
Camp Curiosity (am and pm) ‘When is a stick not a stick?’ This workshop will show you how to embrace the royalty of resources and how, with a little bit of planning, natural resources will and can be more to the children than its usual form. Once you ignite their curiosity, they will add a sprinkle of their own imagination and the humble stick will transform into anything they want it to.
Sarah SquarEd (am and pm) ‘Exploring the 5 principles of counting’ This workshop session is an opportunity to consider how children’s early counting skills are developed within settings. As part of the workshop delegates will;
- ·be signposted to resources and practical ideas that explore the principles of counting;
- 1:1 principle
- Stable order principle
- Cardinal principle
- Abstraction principle
- Order of irrelevance principle
Deepen their understanding of the research underpinning early mathematical thinking, with a particular focus on the progression in counting · Have opportunities to reflect on their practice and identify ways forward
What will it cover?
· EYFS statutory requirements
· Curriculum
· Pedagogy
· Child development
· Seven areas of learning
· Role of the adult
Who should attend?
EYFS leaders and practitioners from schools, PVI settings and childminding settings
Cost
£185 per delegate