Knowing your ‘why’: have you booked your ticket yet?

We are so excited to be gearing up for our upcoming in-person Connect Roadshow, taking place at the Bull Hotel and Conference Centre in Peterborough on Thursday 14 March!

There are just a few weeks to go until the event, where you can benefit from:

• Engaging, inspirational keynote speeches from Alliance CEO Neil Leitch, Alliance early years development manager Tracey Hobbs and inspirational speaker and journalist Musharaf Asghar.

• Interactive practical seminar sessions on how stories and rhymes can support early language, and the role of the key person.
  

• Fantastic networking opportunities and a chance to reflect on the ‘why’ of working in early years with educators and professionals from across the country.
  

• Automatic entry into a prize draw for one of three prizes kindly supplied by event sponsor TTS, worth up to £245!
  

• A selection of resources and activity packs, kindly supplied by BBC Tiny Happy People, in your event goodie bag.
  

• Lunch and refreshments, plus free parking (subject to availability)
  

We’ll kick off with an inspirational talk by Early Years Alliance CEO Neil Leitch on how focusing on yourself can make you a better early years educator, including why it’s important to take time for you. Tracey Hobbs, early years development manager, will then lead an engaging session where you’ll learn simple techniques to put that into practise and make it easier to stay mindful.

You’ll also get a chance to experience our popular Connect sessions live and in person. Ordinarily held online, these sessions offer early years professionals the opportunity to learn more about specific topics and discuss their thoughts in depth with others in the industry.

Connect One – Sharing stories and rhymes to support early language: where will the adventure take us?

Communication and language unlock a world of imagination and adventure. In this engaging practical session, we will take a hands-on approach to exploring the difference that we as educators can make to children’s communication and language development though sharing the joy of stories and rhymes.

Together, we’ll take a storytelling journey into make-believe worlds and discuss how we can develop supportive and practical approaches to engage children and encourage them to become storytellers by building their confidence and supporting their mastery of language.

Connect Two – Supporting the unique child: the role of the key person

Every child can make good progress, with the right support. In this motivational workshop, we’ll explore the value of the role of the key person in supporting children’s progress and attainment, and consider how a rich curriculum can be tailored to meet children’s individual needs.

We consider reflection as a tool to empower you and your team to build professional confidence and ensure continuing professional development. And, finally, we’re ending the day with a reminder of why we do what we do: to support the children we care for and the adults they will grow into. Mental health advocate Musharaf Asghar will share his experience of the difference his teachers made in his life and how that continues to positively impact him to this day.

Alliance Connect Roadshow: Knowing your ‘why’
Thursday 14 March, 9.15am - 4pm
Lunch included

The Bull Hotel and Conference Centre, Westgate, Peterborough, PE1 1RB
(a short walk from Peterborough train station – free parking at the venue is also available)

Alliance members: £25 per person; Non-members: £50 per person

With thanks to TTS, Childcare and Education Expo and BBC Tiny Happy People for their support for this event.

9.15am - 9.35am: Refreshments and networking - and a chance to collect your free goodie bags

9.35am - 9.40am: Alison Heseltine, Alliance early years development manager and Connect Roadshow host, will give an overview of the day’s events

9.40am - 10.20am: Neil Leitch, Alliance CEO, Keynote

10.20am - 10.40am: Tracey Hobbs, Alliance early years development manager

11.00am - 12.05pm: Breakout rooms – delegates will be split into two groups and will attend the one of two practical seminar sessions. All delegates will have the opportunity to attend the second of the two sessions in the afternoon.

• Connect one: Sharing stories and rhymes to support early language: where will the adventure take us?
• Connect two: Supporting the unique child: the role of the key person

12.05pm - 12.55pm: Lunch and networking

12.55pm - 2.05pm: Breakout rooms – delegates will attend the second of two practical Connect sessions above.

2.05pm: Refreshments

2.30pm - 3.50pm: Musharaf Asghar, inspirational speaker and journalist

3.50pm - 4pm: Closing remarks from Connect Roadshow host Alison Heseltine

To explore more about yourself and your role in the early years, book your place on our Connect Roadshow here: bit.ly/Connect-Roadshow-March24.