Book your place now to join the Great North Stronger Practice Hub team at their Early Years Conference on Saturday 12th October.
Take this opportunity to listen to educationalists sharing the most up-to-date Early Years research available. Engage in fun and interactive practical workshops, delivered by early years professionals currently practising in a range of Early Years settings from across our region; to learn how they implement best evidence-informed approaches and practices, to achieve better outcomes for all children.
Date: Saturday 12th October
Location: The Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle, NE3 5HN
- Arrival from 8.30am (hot breakfast sandwiches)
- 9am start
- 12.30pm finish
You will also receive a FREE bag of musical resources to support implementing evidence-informed Communication and Language Development approaches back in your setting.
Take a sneak preview at the lineup! We are delighted to have presentations delivered by the following Early Years professionals from across the North East:
Keynote Presentation
Northumbria University - 'Everyone Wins in the Generation Game: Intergenerational Practice'
Kay Heslop: Head of Education & Assistant Professor, Northumbria University
Intergenerational Practice, where two or more generations engage for mutual benefit, is growing in popularity in the UK. Practice is often well-intentioned but not always research informed. Today we will explore a range of research-informed practice, conducted by early years practitioners and researchers working in partnership, including the Born4life project. Mutual benefits for all involved will be considered, along with how potential concerns are addressed. Together, the generations can learn from each other.
Workshop presentations
Wingate Community Nursery (Durham) - 'The Magic of Nature!'
Becky Wood: Headteacher Nichola Hesslewood: Deputy Headteache
How the natural world can be used as a tool to enable Communication and Language & Social and Emotional Development
What is it about being in nature that has such a significant impact upon Communication and Language and Self-Regulation? Through group discussion, sharing case studies and practical tips, we'll draw out tangible key ingredients that will make the great outdoors joyful and impactful for you and your children.
Goosehill Nurseries (Northumberland) - 'Marvellous Mathematical Materials: Unlocking the Magic of Loose Parts'
Amanda Willis: Director for Goosehill Nurseries
Talk is at the heart of mathematical learning. Unlocking the magic of loose parts and open-ended materials as a way to increase mathematical understanding and communication skills.
Childsplay Nursery (Newcastle) - 'The Born4life Project: Supporting Children and Older Adults Holistic and Well-being Development'
Diane Gregory: Nursery Manager Kay Heslop: Head of Education & Assistant Professor, Northumbria University
There will be an opportunity to consider ways in which all childminders and practitioners can embrace intergenerational practice, and develop an understanding of how this approach can strengthen and secure firm foundations for children's CL and PSE development.
This workshop will inform you about Intergenerational engagement and the positive impact on both young children and older adults holistic and well-being development, when they spend frequent and consistent time together engaged in activity of choice. This is an opportunity to hear about how a nursery setting in Newcastle became involved in Intergenerational research, the concerns they had initially, how they developed the project and an insight into what intergenerational engagement looks like; by highlighting the impact from older adults and children spending time together, at the older adult’s care village.
Research School Presentations
Newcastle Research School - 'The ShREC Approach: Four Ways to Develop Children's Communication and Language'
Sarah Stock: Director of Newcastle Research School and Primary School Improvement Lead, NEAT Academy Trust
Town End Research School - 'Understanding the Brain: Exploring Self and Co-Regulation as the Foundation for Early Communication Development'
Stella Jones: Director of Research & Development WISE, Town End Research School & Content Lead for Primary Literacy RS Network