Beginnings
– How I view my practice at the start of my current training –
This practitioner has not chosen to share this information at this time.
Children bring their own view of the world and have curious minds. I enjoy working with all ages in Early Years, each stage bringing different challenges. I enjoy learning what each individual child needs to help them engage in the nursery environment, helping them to reach their full potential. I have always believed that children should be heard and helped to share their ideas, instead of an adult imposing their ideas on them. I enjoy being allowed to enter into the children's world and supporting them to develop their ideas, seeing their success and the joy they have when they learn new skills.
I have a leadership role, supporting staff to provide the best learning experiences and environment for the children.
I have opportunity to work with the children when providing staff cover. I will engage with a group of children and support their play. The child is always at the centre of my practice. I take their lead when supporting play and ask questions to support their learning.
We have been working on providing a stimulating environment for all children with a variety of provocations to spark curiosity, investigation and discovery. We have ditched the plastic and introduced natural materials and lots of loose part play. Our procedures are child-centred as they are based on the curriculum documents and Realising the ambition. Everything we plan looks at the needs of the children. We work on the different articles of the UNCRC and include children in decision making. Children are given roles and responsibilities such as snack helper, lunch server.
Children's views are taken when making changes to the environment. We are still in the early stages of including children in the making of policies, and recognise that this is an area that needs to be addressed. We have a high quantity of children with ASN, we have taken their needs into account and provided a calm areas in each paly room and provide a nurture lunch to allow an opportunity to have lunch away from the sensory overload of the busy lunch room. Children have opportunities to select their own resources and choose where they want to play.
Froebel principals have been shared with the staff team. They are supportive of a Froebel inspired Nursery and are able to see the connections between Froebel and Realising the Ambition. We have started training and development of Block play instead of a construction area. Heuristic play and Treasure baskets are used in the 0-3 age group. We are now taking a closer look at Mother songs. Children have opportunities to play outdoors and engage in the natural environment.
Our nursery is in an area of multiple deprivation, all our values are based around providing the best for all children. Together with the staff we have included the children in learning opportunities about race and the differences we all have. The children have learned about early protective matters, the NSPCC Pants programme. Our Vision, Value and Aims put the nurture and care of children at the heart of everything we do. As a nursery we support families and provide a variety of opportunities for them to be involved in the life of the nursery. We provide a previously loved clothing stall and a food bank. In my practice, I aim to promote equality and equity for all children.
Taking part in this research project will give me an opportunity to take a closer look at an area that I believe needs to be developed. the project will also provide an opportunity to revisit Froebel principles and how they can be developed within my practice.
I value being able to talk to my peers and fellow Froebelians to chat through ideas and learn how they are implementing Froebel with their centres.