Visitors to the Nursery World Show will have an invaluable opportunity to hear some of the best known consultants and most inspiring authors in the sector at seminars across the two days of the show.
Topics speakers will cover include:
- The four strands of the EFYS
- The new statutory role of the key person
- Preparing for inspection under the new Ofsted regime
They will share with you their insights and observations on what makes quality practice in the EYFS.
Unique Child
Child-centred learning in the EYFS, with the Unique Child at the heart of practice, planning and assessment, will be explored by Ann Langston from National Strategies in our opening seminar.
On day two, putting the EYFS principles into practice with the under-threes will be addressed by Jools Page, lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Sheffield University.
Positive Relationships
Maintaining positive relationships in the face of what is sometimes considered 'bad' behaviour will be the subject for early years consultant and author Maria Robinson in 'Challenging behaviour: causes and responses', a session offered on both days.
Maria says, 'It will be a very reflective session where we will not only be thinking about children's behaviour but also thinking about our own personal reactions to different types of behaviour, identifying what kinds of behaviour we individually find difficult and talking about boundary setting including in child-led activities.'
Children's centre head Julian Grenier will focus on the role of the key person in his seminar.
Learning and Development
Child psychologist and early years consultant Jennie Lindon will speak on 'Under-threes: learning and development', examining what the areas of learning and developmental grids mean in practice and planning around them in the EYFS.
'I aim to highlight what is developmentally appropriate practice as well as what would be very unwise practice with very young children, including some of the key misunderstandings about what the EYFS actually says about planning and assessment,' explains Jennie. 'I will home in on key issues in each of these areas:
- In what ways you should use the developmental information in the EYFS Practice Guidance;
- Ways to use the practice examples to enhance your current approach with babies and two-year-olds;
- What planning and assessment look likes when it supports very young learning.'
Literacy specialist Helen Bromley will explore how story and role play provide a basis for learning in the EYFS and building relationships with practitioners. She says, 'I will look at the centrality of story in children's lives and the importance of offering a range of opportunities for children to construct narratives.'
Enabling Environments
On both days the seminar programme features sessions looking at Enabling Environments and how practitioners can create environments to engage children. Michael Pettavel, head of Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre, will focus on fun, risk and learning with what he describes as an 'opinionated, photographic journey to challenge, reinforce and prioritise the importance of outdoor play for children.'
Another aspect of environment will be covered by Mary Whiting, former nursery head teacher and author of The Nursery Food Book, in a seminar on growing and cooking food with young children. 'The chief points I will cover are what's the point of gardening or cooking with young children, what makes a suitable cookery or gardening activity and how do we go about it,' says Mary.
Inspection
Former Ofsted inspector and early years consultant Laura Henry will guide practitioners through the inspection journey in her seminar, 'Be prepared: the new Ofsted inspection system', starting with the Self Evaluation Form.
'One of the things I am passionate about is continuous improvement,' says Laura. 'It is not a case of completing the SEF and putting it away. It is about a process of continually evaluating, reviewing and reflecting on what is happening in the setting.
'We will be talking about quality and what it looks like and how we can make sure every single member of staff understands the SEF process.'
FURTHER DETAILS
The full programme and timetable of speakers is available on the Nursery World Show website.
Tickets for the seminars cost £10 per session if booked in advance, and £15 on the day. Demand is likely to be very high, so book now to ensure your place at the seminars of your choice on www.nurseryworld show.com/node/6; nurseryworldshow.com/node/6.
