Convincing The "foundation Stage" Sceptics!

[Guest]

I keep reading in lots of posts about senior managers, heads etc who have yet to be convinced about the Foundation Stage and the place of play in the Early Years curriculum. Members may or may not be aware of the fantastic centre in Huddersfield - Early Excellence. I came across this haven at a recent Early Years Conference and I would say to anyone who is battling against "Foundation Stage Sceptics" that you should send your heads or senior managers there. Run by comitted early years experts, the centre houses the most fantastic collection of resources for purposeful play, literacy, outdoor activities I've ever come across under one roof. Coupled with a pupose build Early Years classroom which is just brimming with ideas and examples of good practice, and I doubt anyone visiting could not be converted to the cause! The directors of the centre promise a really hard-sell on the doubters of this world, but personally I think just walking around the centre for a couple of hours would do the trick. There are special events held for heads and managers throughout the year too, alongwith an extensive training programme for practitioners. A beautiful conversion of an old school, a super restaurant... I could go on - it's worth a day trip!! One word of warning though - leave your credit card at home if you are ever tempted to buy something for your own classroom (how many of us do that I wonder?!) - I spent an absolute fortune. By the way, I don't have any connection with the centre other than having been a very satisfied visitor - I'm not on comission or anything!! I'll gladly e-mail details to anyone interested.

[mundia]

OK hands up who wants to send their Head to Huddersfield ? Thanks for that AngelaC, I know it is very frustrating not to have senior people on board, Im very fortunate in that sense, but havent always been. Isnt it great to go somewhere and be really inspired?

[Guest]

I wonder if there is anywhere similar in the South of England?

[Guest cat33]

Angela, sounds fantastic I myself would love to visit. As for my head..... I am married to him so he has to be interested in the foundation stage!!

[Helen]

What a great post

[Guest]

we LOVE the fs!!!! We are in the South...and 'The Boss' is in touch....we have SCC and they run loads of courses on the FS that we all merrily attend....

[Steve]

Hello Jo!

 

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for such a cheerful first post!

 

Glad to hear the FS has been adopted so enthusiastically where you are - by the way, what is SCC?

 

Best wishes,

Steve.

[Guest]

Surrey County Council....we have our own booklets to help formulate children's portfolios, with the stones and goals set out and we use this to crossreference our evidence.... we all attend courses ranging from 'Outdoor Play in the FS' to 'Introduction to Practitioners working in the F. S' to 'Supporting Observations for Assessment in the Foundation Stage'. All good stuff. We work in a independent school as the Nursery, so we are lucky to see all our hard work being appreciated and used in the Reception year.

[Susan]

And you were able to post that at 9.28 in the morning!

Hope you're not sick.

 

Glad its working out well for you.

Welcome to the forum, perhaps you have some other interesting perspectives for us!

 

Susan

[Guest]

Just like to echo my support for Huddersfield-Early Excellence. They ran a Heads conference in Hull and a foundation conference with at least 6 workshops it was great....... Also been on an outdoor play course there too......came away feeling so inspired. Lots of ideas are being used to help us set up our new fs unit.

 

Lesley