Having built a strong reputation for its training and consultancy services in the north of England, Early Excellence is now bringing its expertise to the south.
The company has just come to the end of its second training residence week, at the Holiday Inn in Reading, which offered delegates the chance to sample its courses free of charge. These provided a taster for a new CPD programme that rolls out in 2012, and is designed to keep the early years community 'informed, inspired and connected'.
Delegates sampled a two-hour training session, explored an interactive environment which uses the company's own resources and furniture, and attended a seminar on the characteristics of effective learning and teaching.
Around 600 delegates attended over the two weeks, and eight local authorities were involved.
Jan Dubiel, Early Excellence partnership development manager South, reports positive feedback from participants who were able to share ideas and concerns in a heartfelt way. The interactive environment was also a source of ideas and lively discussion.
'The training days gave us an opportunity to get across our philosophy and approach, and our strong belief that quality early years practice can never be compromised,' he says. 'Our eventual aim is to set up a training centre in the south which mirrors our successful centre in the north.'
Liz Marsden, director of Early Excellence, says feedback from delegates has underlined a sense of isolation and anxiety about a lack of support in times of change. These are issues she feels Early Excellence can effectively address.
'We are strengthening our services by developing a range of support that both individual practitioners and schools can access in the south,' she says. 'This includes setting up regional networks that bring together like-minded people who wish to connect, share practice and discuss issues.
'We will also be leading local cluster projects involving school practitioners which will focus on well-planned provision in nursery and reception and outdoor learning.'
What’s on offer in 2012
A ‘mini’ CPD programme running from March through to May will kick off Early Excellence’s presence in the South. These sessions will take place in at the Holiday Inn, at Winnersh Triangle in Reading and the Denham Grove Hotel, at Denham in Uxbridge.
The company says its package of courses focus on the building blocks of effective practice and aim to update practitioners on national developments in a practical way.
Developing a Quality Curriculum 3 – 5 Years – A Focus on a Framework for Planning (20 February, 15 March Reading; 19 April, 30 May Uxbridge) gives participants the opportunity to reflect on their current practice and review systems for long, medium and short term planning.
Observing Young Children’s learning – A Focus on Effective Assessment and Recording in the EYFS (27 April, 24 May Reading; 23 March, 10 May Uxbridge), also runs over two days, and is designed to help practitioners improve the quality of their observations and use these to influence a range of adult actions and interactions that support and extend children’s learning.
Early Excellence is also aiming to support practitioners on the introduction of the revised EYFS with a one day course which follows hot on the heels of the publication of the revised framework. The New Landscape of Early Years Policy – A Focus on Implementing the new EYFS (26 April Reading; 22 May Uxbridge) will explore approaches to its implementation and reflect on current practice and provision in the light of any changes. The course will also explore the implications for transition to Year 1.
Three further one day courses will provide a focus on key themes of effective practice for three to seven year-olds:
? Ensuring Good and Outstanding Interactions – Sparking Young Children’s Critical and Creative Thinking (2 May Reading)
? Moving on to Key Stage One – Examining Key Aspects of Learning and Teaching (11 May Uxbridge)
? Setting the Standard for Effective Practice – Monitoring and Evaluation in the EYFS (23 May Uxbridge)
For information on prices and to book contact michelle@earlyexcellence.com