FSF Event - Breakout Room Question 8 - How have you successfully collaborated with colleagues outside of your setting?

[Stephen]

[Stephen]

When I was the EYFS lead in a specialist school we linked up with some of the local nursery schools to share good practice.  As we were coming from different starting points, there was such value in collaborating - generally the nursery schools were more advanced when it came to the quality of their play environments, but we were able to contribute specialist knowledge about working with children with learning differences and disabilities.  The culmination of these discussions was a weekly staff swap where we would exchange 1 or 2 staff members for an afternoon - it was such a great CPD exercise for all involved, and helped to enhance quality across both settings.

[Helen]

When I ran my nursery, I was lucky enough to be in a network of other EYPs/managers/leaders and we decided to buddy up and swap members of staff occasionally. So, for example, one day, my deputy swapped with another deputy for the day. It was a really good way to pick up some ideas and refresh each other's practice. You might not want to do this with a setting that is your immediate competitor, though!

[Cait]

I’d say all of this for me was this wonderful forum.  It represented almost all of my collaborative working with other providers.  That offered locally was sketchy at best, and was mainly confined to the few moments of networking at training events.    

[sunnyday]

On 22/07/2023 at 14:20, Cait said:

I’d say all of this for me was this wonderful forum.  It represented almost all of my collaborative working with other providers.  That offered locally was sketchy at best, and was mainly confined to the few moments of networking at training events.    

I echo every word of this - the kindness shown here with willingness to share ideas and resources was invaluable to me - nothing offered locally came anywhere near!

[Mouseketeer]

On 22/07/2023 at 14:31, sunnyday said:

I echo every word of this - the kindness shown here with willingness to share ideas and resources was invaluable to me - nothing offered locally came anywhere near!

If your county are anything like mine they are very much ‘shut the gate after the horse has bolted’, due to collaborations on here we’d been there, done it and got the t-shirt before they even had new legislation/frameworks on their radar ….I’m still waiting to see what they come up with regards GDPR, I think that totally passed them by 🤪 

[sunnyday]

On 23/07/2023 at 10:53, Mouseketeer said:

If your county are anything like mine they are very much ‘shut the gate after the horse has bolted’, due to collaborations on here we’d been there, done it and got the t-shirt before they even had new legislation/frameworks on their radar ….I’m still waiting to see what they come up with regards GDPR, I think that totally passed them by 🤪 

Ah yes GDPR - you very kindly shared your work with me - can't tell you what a massive help that was - never, ever, ever got any guidance from LA 

[louby loo]

Yes this form is invaluable for updates and sharing information.

(Please note- I clicked on this thread thinking it was about team building etc- I was going to commnet that we always go to the nice Italian in town...🤣)

 

[Cait]

On 23/07/2023 at 12:37, sunnyday said:

Ah yes GDPR - you very kindly shared your work with me - can't tell you what a massive help that was - never, ever, ever got any guidance from LA 

Because of all the support and networking we did on here, if was more often than not me telling the county training folk what was going on! I was constantly amazed that they weren’t on here themselves, especially as back in the day, county were paying!  

[timothyabbot]

Yes i'm a member of a whats app group with other nursury staff who most most of us met at an event. we constantly share ideas together and get feedback from one another and it really helps. Iv only recently joined here so lookinf forward to having similiar experience based on the other other members comments

Edited August 9, 2023 by timothyabbot

[timothyabbot]

Actually just realised i misread the question. Some of my colleagues meet up occasionally out of work to disccuss how we can improve our program and share interesting perspectives between us

[Cait]

On 09/08/2023 at 08:21, timothyabbot said:

Yes i'm a member of a whats app group with other nursury staff who most most of us met at an event. we constantly share ideas together and get feedback from one another and it really helps. Iv only recently joined here so lookinf forward to having similiar experience based on the other other members comments

And you’re very welcome!  I’m looking forward to reading your future posts.  

[BenTapestrySupport]

On 09/08/2023 at 08:25, timothyabbot said:

Actually just realised i misread the question. Some of my colleagues meet up occasionally out of work to disccuss how we can improve our program and share interesting perspectives between us

I think those conversations that we have between staff at different settings are so important to share ideas. Even if you are in the same locality, the needs of the children at each setting can be so different and it's great to share ideas to support each other. 

[timothyabbot]

On 09/08/2023 at 11:40, Cait said:

And you’re very welcome!  I’m looking forward to reading your future posts.  

thanks very much:) I firmly belive that through collabaration, whatever the method, is how we all grow. Interestingly someone told me the other day the etymology of the word competition in latin is to strive together rather than what most of us think its from a place of opposition ,so to learn from one another through a common goal rather than win at all costs over your opponent.

[Jules]

Welcome to the forum timothyabbot! 😊

That's so interesting about the etymology of 'competition'. Striving together - a positive aim towards a common goal. 

Over the years I have been lucky to connect with so many educators - whether here on the Forum, or at 'hubs' - or on a walk or at the pub! 

And I learn something new in every conversation.