Hi I’m Yvonne Robinson.  I work within the Early Years Pedagogue Team. I thought I would take this opportunity to share some of my project ideas for this session. At the very end of June ’21 I joined St Francis Early Learning & Childcare Class.  I really did receive the most warmest and kindest welcome from everyone at such a busy and hectic time of year!

 

St Francis ELC moved in Feb ’21 as part of the 1140 hrs expansion, into a new setting within the grounds of St Francis Primary School.  With this came a fabulous outdoor woodland space, which the nursery family call their woodland retreat.  The space is continually developing and flourishing, creating wonderful outdoor learning opportunities with and for the children.  Being in this outdoor setting has reignited an interest I have in Learning for Sustainability, in particular experiences relating to Eco Schools.  Inspired by the inherited raised beds, albeit requiring much TLC and the outdoor marvellous meals experiences children are receiving at St Francis ELC, through consultation and enthusiasm from the team, we decided to apply for the Education Scotland Food For Thought Grant with just 3 days to apply before the deadline!!  We are overjoyed to say that we were successful and achieved the full grant amount!  Our aim is to develop an area of our new woodland retreat to establish a working garden.

 

I have met with The School Community Gardening Group – made up of school pupils and members of their family and have planned with the school to further promote our links, through working with primary 1-7 children via The Eco Schools Group.  All will plan together with the nursery family to create and grow produce.  The process ‘Farm to Fork’ will further enhance children’s learning through the cycle of food growth to cooking and eating.  Creating and learning together also offers opportunity to develop buddy friendships and learning for sustainability understanding co-constructing their (children’s) knowledge.  St Francis ELC have also re-established links with St Mungo’s High School and I have met with the Head of the Technical Department, who is only too delighted to offer support, advice and help create the raised beds from the children’s plans.

 

Through discussions with the team and our initial Learning for Sustainability training, the team highlighted positively their rights-based approach. My focus will be on further raising the awareness of the UNCRC Article 12 and the visibility of the child’s voice through What Matters To Me consultations.  Children will be encouraged to lead their learning with opportunity to participate and share their thoughts, opinions and reflections on a variety of matters throughout the Food for Thought Project.

 

As identified in our Improvement Plan we will be further developing Emotional Literacy Learning through Experiences, Interactions & Spaces.  I will be working with the team and a focus group of children and their families to support and encourage appropriate emotional literacy language vocabulary and developing individual strategy skills to support and enhance children’s levels of wellbeing and involvement, throughout their daily play experiences.  I am hoping to use a variety of approaches when working with families through Bookbug @ Home and PEEP.  I will be further developing my Bookbug skills, which unfortunately have not been used as much as I would have liked over the last wee while. I will be working and learning from a highly experienced and qualified Music and Story Mentor through BookBug. I am delighted to have gained this opportunity and look forward to getting started.

 

I was equally delighted, to also receive training (during lockdown) from PEEP (Peers Early Education Partnership) that supports parents and carers to value and build on the home learning environment and relationships with their children, by making the most of everyday learning opportunities.  Myself and the group of Falkirk Cohort Practitioners, who trained together are supported through the new Early Intervention Team.  We have learned to deliver PEEP through a variety of methods, however hoping it will be face to face with families rather than virtually!  I am excited to see how PEEP will evolve at St Francis.  Families will be invited to take part and consulted on what ‘topics’ matter to them to shape the sessions.  The programme contains 74 child development topics covering 5 strands of learning.  I will work closely with a focus group of children and families to further promote learning and Fiona, a highly experienced early years educator from the St Francis nursery family who has a real interest in family learning, will join me.  It is with a view to roll out PEEP throughout the year, so all of our families have the opportunity to participate.

 

Not forgetting Helicopter Stories!  Although this is not one of my projects this year I could not imagine, not offering Helicopter Stories!  Fortunately, the St Francis nursery family are very enthusiastic and delighted to learn more and take this forward.  Already children are interested after one session!

Let the magic begin!