EYP Update: Local Authority Spotlight Camden and Islington - Establishing an identity
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Members of the Camden and Islington EYP network are keeping up to date with the latest early years thinking and research through a series of lectures from staff at the world famous Thomas Coram Research Unit at the University of London's Institute of Education.
'The research unit is on our doorstep, and it has such a great reputation nationally and internationally that I had hoped for a long time that we could bring them on board,' says Catherine Todd, training and quality manager for early years at Camden.
'Last year, the CWDC invited bids for funding to set up networks. I asked two EYPs what they would want from a network. They asked for a series of university degree-level lectures. They wanted the network to provide continuing professional development and at this level. The CPD we already offer in Camden tends to be practical training, rather than lectures.
'Islington is our nearest neighbour so we put in a bid together, which means we can pool resources. As soon as we approached the Thomas Coram Research Unit they were on board. It is wonderful to have their input.'
Three themes were developed for the network - professional identity, well-being and quality. Each term the network meets for one full day, with a lecture in the morning followed in the afternoon by discussions where they share good practice and reflect on the morning lecture. Members also attend a twilight session. They keep reflective diaries so they can continue the process of self-reflection between sessions.
The first lecture in the series, on professional identity, was given in October by Dr Claire Cameron, senior research officer at the research unit. It will be followed before Christmas by a twilight session on social pedagogy.
'We wondered about starting with a lecture on quality,' says Ms Todd. 'But we chose professional identity because it was important to set the scene.
'About 35 people attended the first lecture and they enjoyed taking time out of their busy lives to sit down and think about what their role is about, and it was good for them to meet with like-minded people.'
PROMOTING EYPS IN CAMDEN
The campaign includes taking every opportunity to raise awareness among practitioners about Early Years Professional Status and the support that is available to them through the Graduate Leader Fund.
It includes:
- Information sessions with practitioners
- Distribution of an EYPS leaflet
- Flagging up EYPS through the termly training programme that is circulated around settings in the borough
- Face-to-face promotion about EYPS with practitioners at training sessions.
