Empowering Early Years' CPD workshop: Twilight session.

Using Loose parts to enhance early learning & key skills.

Led by experienced Early Years Teacher, EY Trainer & HE Lecturer (FdA Early Childhood) Hannah O'Donnell, this NEW Early Years CPD workshop aims to look at how to use loose parts effectively, within the learning environment, as part of excellent, engaging core provision and play opportunities for learning.

The Workshop will address the relevance and opportunities afforded through loose parts play (both inside and out, with relevant linking to risk assessments, modelling and observation), based on key up-to-date research and how this links to later child neuro-development, further relating to enabling key early skills areas such as Mathematics, Communication and Language and PSED etc.

It will also look at the importance of open-ended play opportunities and scaffolding opportunities for the unique child in play, through practitioner support.

The workshop will additionally address the concept of risk-taking to enable better attention and memory, supporting the development resilience skills and enabling a 'growth mindset' (Mueller & Dweck, 1998) approach to self-directed learning through play.

Moreover, it will put core knowledge and research into easy to understand, cost-effective developmentally appropriate practice, in order to maximise opportunities for skill development through loose parts play, as well as the role of staff & the play environment as a whole.

EEY aims to offer excellent, inspiring, cost-effective options for CPD, adding value for the practitioner, and overall setting/ school EY pedagogy, as well as focussing on the skills needs of unique children, allowing them to thrive.

Who is the workshop aimed at?

This Course is suitable for Nursery/ Early Years Practitioners, L2 upwards, EY Students, EY Managers, EYTs, Reception Staff teams, TA's, Child-minders, Nursery and Preschool Teams, SENDCos and anyone working with young children, 0-5years.

Course Outline:

• A simplified understanding of the important inclusive concept of loose parts used in play as part of high quality EY Continuous provision.
• Why Loose parts directly relate to a child's unique developmental journey and their ability to thrive in all aspects of their learning through play.
• How Loose parts in provision (inside and out) across the whole learning environment can enhance key learning opportunities linked to the EYFS - including early Maths skills, SLC, PD, PSED etc.
• The role of the practitioner: planning for loose parts in the environment, risk assessments, modelling and observation, as well as enhancements for engagement.
• Loose parts as part of healthy risk-taking (executive functioning skills development), links to the growth-mindset concept (Mueller & Dweck, 1998), resilience skills and autonomy .
• Cost-effective ideas for resources, storage and set ups, with a secure research-led basis of knowledge to support the importance of open-ended loose parts.

E: empoweringearlyyears@gmail.com

Feedback from previous EEY workshop delegates

Including Teachers, SLT, SENDCo's, Managers, T.A's, E Y Practitioners, Childminders and Nursery Staff.

• 'Fresh ideas and deeper understanding of how they support development.'
• 'Very good value for money and as a twilight session as other options are so expensive - haven't been out for 2 years due to costs as am full time nursery teacher in an FU!'
• 'Great to have the information in straight-forward language'
• 'Extremely knowledgeable and interesting.'
• 'Great for simple ideas.'
• 'How current gaps in our provision for the above mean that we may not have either recognised the importance of these or expected too much higher functioning too soon and so we need to plan for this in a different time of expectations level.'
• 'We were presented with current up to date research into best and desirable practice with underlying child development information which put everything into context.'
• 'Very cost effective for single delegates in that the very low charge will have a high impact on provision and more so once cascade training is disseminated. This is so as I am in a position to carry this out. I have been on 2 courses and would definitely attend further sessions.'
• 'Promotes new ideas and gets you thinking about your own setting.'
• 'I've come away with knowledge I can implement straight into practice as well as my studies.'
• 'It exceeded expectation as it was very informative and there were really useful handouts which suggested further reading and research.'
• 'I would recommend it as colleagues do not always appreciate the importance of play to learning.'
• 'Very enthusiastic and lots of really useful information!'
• 'Very enjoyable and thought-provoking, a desire to learn more.'
• 'I would recommend it - to be able to think outside of the box and as a reminder that play is best.'
• 'Great information to give to parents - so they dont push writing too early!'
• 'Workshop exceeded expectation and linked to Early Years Teacher Training study’
• 'Clearly explained facts and interesting provision.
• (The course )‘Exceeded expectation - loads of fantastic ideas presented in an interesting way.’

FAQs

Are there ID requirements to enter the event?

For Student tickets purchased at discounted price - a valid NUS card must be shown on the day of the event.

Printed Tickets are not required for registration in the day, as you will receive email confirmation from Eventbrite when you register/pay and again from EEY prior to the event date, if you are on our list. NB: if a colleague is coming in your place, please let the organisers know asap in advance of the day where possible.

Payment

ALL payments (including Cheque and BACS payments) MUST be received prior to the event start date to ensure attendance.

Online Payment can be made online by card and you will receive confirmation from Eventbrite.

If paying by cheque/ BACS:

• Please tick the 'pay by cheque option' as you register online (NB you MUST STILL REGISTER ONLINE to secure your place)
• Then email EEY to request the INVOICE at empoweringearlyyears@gmail.com once you have registered and details for cheque payment will be sent to you.

Payment MUST be received prior to the event date, in order to ensure attendance.

GROUP BOOKING DISCOUNT: Where payment is made for a GROUP BOOKING DISCOUNT (5 delegates for the price or 4) - please notify the organiser of the additional name - as the system won't record this automatically, thank you!

Student discount tickets purchsed must be supported by a valid student card - shown to the organiser on the day.

Transport/parking options:

Event Kindly Hosted by: The Folly Nursery Ltd and Folly Preschool, Church Road, Ilton, Sputh Somerset, TA19 9EY.

Parking: Parking is available on site . However, please park considerately so that all cars can be accomodated for this event. Thank you.

Additional requirements:

Please advise the organiser in advance of any additional needs or requirements, so that we can try and accommodate these where possible.

Refreshments:

These will be included as part of the course.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Contact via email: empoweringearlyyears@gmail.com

What's the refund policy?

Refunds cannot be given for tickets purchased.

However, should the event cease to go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances, all attendees will be contacted via the contact details given and tickets will be refunded to the purchaser, or an alternative workshop date offered (whichever is the preferred option).

Should you be unable to attend - please notify the organiser, however ALL tickets are generally non-refundable. A replacement attendee is welcome to attend in your place if you are unable to attend on the day - please notify the organiser of their name prior to the event start.

NB: Alternative workshop dates will be offered only in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the event organisers and on an individually considered basis.

Data Protection:

All data recorded via registration for the event, through Eventbrite is kept securely by EEY for the puposes of contact regarding the event in advance (email or phone number if the event is cancelled) and for up to 14 working dayts post even for the attendee CPD certificates to be issued only. CPD certificates will only be sent to those who provide a valid Email address on the day. All data shall be cleansed after the event and EEY shall not share data with any additional parties. If you wish to be kept informed of events, please let us know, or follow the Facebook page - Empowering Early Years.

For all other queries please contact us at empoweringearlyyears@gmail.com

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you on this training!

Hannah.

W: www.empoweringearlyyears.com

F: www.facebook.com/empoweringearlyyears

Instagram: #empoweringearlyyears

Pinterest: EmpoweringEY