Educators from Neston Farm Nursery, Oldfield Road Nursery and The Power of Play Nursery in Bath recently attended a presentation with Julie Fisher, an independent Early Years Adviser and visiting Professor of Early Childhood Education at Oxford Brookes University.
Julie has taught children from 3 to 12 years of age and has been headteacher of two urban, multicultural schools, as well as being a well known and respected author. The team from the Power of Play nurseries invited Julie to discuss and elaborate on her 2016 book Interacting or Interfering, allowing the educators to reflect on their own practice and what they can implement daily to improve communications with their children.
“Julie presented an inspiring presentation on the benefits of our interactions with the children and how the importance of our roles as educators is to be present, to listen and support each child through the environment we provide,” said Alice Garbutt from Oldfield Park Nursery. “We do this through our body language and our attentiveness to their interactions, ensuring all children feel heard, valued and empowered.
“The day was filled with collaborative discussions and interactions as we came together as a team, sharing ideas on how we can carry this forward into our daily practice and had some fun with role play activities generating a relaxed atmosphere and a few giggles!
“As Julie Fishers says, ‘Our job is for children to leave feeling taller’.”
The three nurseries already has their next speaker arranged, with a visit from Anna Ephgrave, an assistant head teacher and the author of Plannining in the Moment with Two and Three year olds.