EYPS Support: Sharing information with families; Use literacy, numeracy and ICT skills
Babs Anderson, associate lecturer in the Edge Hill Early Years team, describes how one student on the full training pathway, Joanne Gemmell, made excellent use of her previous learning to achieve Standard 32: Provide formal and informal opportunities through which information about children's well-being, development and learning can be shared between the setting and families and parents/carers; and Standard 37: Develop and use skills in literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology to support their work with children and wider professional activities (Standard 37)
Joanne came to the pathway with a degree in communication and new media. While this showed her ability to reflect on her own learning in these areas at degree level, it took a little creative thinking to see how this could translate into a practitioner able to carry out the leadership element of the EYP.
Joanne also needed to develop personal communication in a way that would support highly experienced practitioners, who may not have had the leisure or opportunity to extend their technical knowledge.
It was the placements carried out as part of the training pathway that enabled Joanne to explore these crucial issues and gain essential experience in working with babies, toddlers and children in a range of settings. This supported the theoretical background she had gained, and gave her the chance to share her knowledge of ICT to promote her colleagues' professional development, a crucial element of Standard 37.
Joanne's first placement, in Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, involved 'digiblue' cameras. This enabled the children to record their ideas and concerns. Here she also developed an information booklet for staff, recognising the need to motivate them and extend their interest in ICT.
A further placement, at Northwood Children's Centre in Kirkby, enabled a refreshing take on Standard 32, which is concerned with the provision of formal and informal opportunities through which information about children's wellbeing, development and learning can be shared with parents. Joanne used her skills to develop a promotional leaflet to encourage parents and carers to use the children's centre.
An exciting opportunity also presented itself with the production of a DVD to record the children's participation in a dance activity led by an external practitioner. This was a tangible tool for parents and carers.
