{"id":692,"date":"2015-12-16T07:50:39","date_gmt":"2015-12-16T07:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/an\/anguschildrenandlearning\/?p=692"},"modified":"2015-12-16T07:50:39","modified_gmt":"2015-12-16T07:50:39","slug":"early-years-conference-nurturing-childhood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/an\/anguschildrenandlearning\/2015\/12\/16\/early-years-conference-nurturing-childhood\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Years Conference – Nurturing Childhood"},"content":{"rendered":"

posted by Sandra Hood, Early Years Teacher<\/span><\/p>\n

Expressions of Autumn<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Autumn\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Early Years and Childcare staff came together in November over 2 days to collaborate and aspire to achieve the best transition experiences for children and families in Angus.<\/p>\n

The first day of the conference saw managers and head teachers from ELCC settings meeting together to network and reflect on experiences of transitions from their own settings and within Angus.<\/p>\n

Aline-Wendy Dunlop (Emeritus Professor, Strathclyde University) challenged us to consider transitions in terms of the whole family as well as through the eyes of the child. We were reminded of the need for a shared language during transitions as well as involving families at all stages and left with the challenge of addressing progression through play. Locality based discussion groups identified current good practice and next steps.<\/p>\n

Day 2 started positively with Tim Armstrong, Head of Service, Children and Young People sharing key messages from the Children and Young People\u2019s Act (Scotland) 2014, followed by Dawn Archibald who highlighted local and national initiatives. We were joined by colleagues from Care Inspectorate as well as \u00a0NHS Tayside Infant and Maternal Nutrition and Education Scotland who led very informative workshops.<\/p>\n

Aline-Wendy Dunlop inspired us all to consider using transitions positively as a tool which brings opportunities for \u00a0positive change. Many participants shared that they had found the key note address very positive and motivating. \"Cakes\"<\/a>Over 200\u00a0 participants then (after a \u00a0much \u00a0\u00a0appreciated coffee and cake!) engaged in inspiring workshops which were identified topics from Early Years Strategy including GIRFEC, Progression Pathways, the Parenting Strategy, The Early Years Collaborative Priorities and Tests of Change and cosy Corners.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The final workshops of the day saw practitioners from schools, private and voluntary sectors come together in locality groups to discuss the way forward.\u00a0 There were some fantastic ideas and a real commitment to locality working. Representatives from Dundee and Angus College who had attended the conference joined these discussion groups and their input was much appreciated.<\/p>\n

There was an audible buzz of professional dialogue and reflection as colleagues prepared to leave at the end of the day. Feedback from the day was very positive and included that the day had provided:<\/p>\n