Early Years - Primary

What is happening in Early Years ....

• the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - this is statutory from September 2008
• phonics - the new letters and sounds in response to the Rose Review
• Forest School - look out for the new informative Forest School folder
• EQUIP- an indepth self-review document.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Follow the links on this page to view more detail about any of the courses or meetings listed.

Foundation Stage Network Meetings
Subject network meetings will include:

• an update on national, local and regional developments in the subject
• professional development in a topical subject-related issue
• sharing of effective practice with colleagues from other schools.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Autumn 2008

Introducing Early Years Foundation Stage

• An overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Looking at the document
• Putting the EYFS document into practice
• A chance to ask questions.

SEN in Foundation & Year 1
This session will provide a brief overview of SEN in the early years. It will consider some of the difficulties faced by children and some general strategies for helping them to progress.

Introducing Early Years Foundation Stage

• An overview of the EYFS
• Looking at the document
• Putting the EYFS document into practice
• A chance to ask questions.

Enabling Environments (Child Initiated)

• Ideas and strategies to incorporate child initiated learning into everyday practice across the curriculum through an effective environment
• Using the Excellence and Enjoyment guidance to develop child initiated learning from Foundation Stage into Key Stage 1
• Links to gifted and talented.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spring 2009

Effective Early Learning (EEL)
This is an opportunity for teachers and their teaching assistant to do a small scale action research project that will lead to increased quality in their early years' provision. The project also leads to a quality assurance award. There is optional self accreditation on completion of the project (currently available at time of going to print).

Early Years Conference
Further details to follow later in the year.

Continuing the Learning Journey
This is a repeat of the 'Continuing the Learning Journey' course as laid out in the QCA document. The afternoon will include an in-depth look at the e-profile.

Effective Early Learning (EEL)
This is an opportunity for teachers and their teaching assistant to do a small scale action research project that will lead to increased quality in their early years' provision.
The project also leads to a quality assurance award.
There is optional self accreditation on completion of the project (currently available at time of going to print).

Introducing Early Years Foundation Stage

• An overview of the EYFS
• Looking at the document
• Putting the EYFS document into practice
• A chance to ask questions.

Enabling Environments (Outdoor Learning)
Ways of planning for and working in the outdoor environment. Strategies and ideas for planning child initiated learning, problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, communication language and literacy and other cross-curricular links.

Enabling Environments (Observations & Starting With the Child)

• Guidance on planning to incorporate observations into everyday practice with reference to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Using observations as a basis for personalised planning, next steps for learning and Foundation Stage Profile (FSP) process.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A comprehensive programme of training and development opportunities is detailed in the Early Years Education and Childcare CPD Brochure for 2008/09. To get a hold of a copy of this brochure please ring Alice Christmas on (01743) 254319 or via email at alice.christmas@shropshire.gov.uk.