Minds Still Matter: a positive approach to supporting wellbeing in the early years

At a time when settings across the country are battling a combination of funding worries, Ofsted anxiety and staffing concerns, here at the Alliance, we’ve been thinking about how we can peel away the layers of stress and pressure to rediscover the magic that lies at the heart of working in the early years?

Following the publication of our Minds Still Matters report, this year’s Alliance virtual annual conference will focus on the importance of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the early years workforce and how educators can find the joy of working in the early years once again.

Early attendees can choose one of the three following seminars, with each being will be recorded and circulated to all event attendees:

Supporting child development: the value of observations. Stella Louis, early years consultant and Nursery World Awards 2023 Trainer of the Year.

Teaching babies and young children requires an understanding of child development and as such, it is vital that we understand every stage of a child’s development. We should know where the child has come from and where the child is going.

When we observe children who are engaged in spontaneous play, we can see their ideas and experiences emerge in their play. In this way, our observations are focused on what a child can do, so that we can discover where the child might need support.

In this seminar, Stella will discuss children and child development in detailed and practical ways. The session will provide explanations that are related to what is observed in practice, helping you to make sense of what you’re observing in your setting.

Play in the early years: translating research into practice. Alistair Bryce-Clegg, award winning early years author, blogger, product designer and advocate of play.

In this session, Alistair will share some of the most recent research into play and its profound impact on child development.

Drawing on over 30 years of experience in early childhood education and his recent doctoral study, Alistair’s input will combine theory with practice, offering strategies that you will be able to apply in your setting straight away.

Through this input, you will gain invaluable tools to nurture the development of the ‘whole child’ whilst creating environments where the potential of play is recognised, realised and will have a positive impact on both children and adults alike!

Creating a trauma-informed approach in early years settings and practice. Jane Evans, Childhood trauma and anxiety media expert, TEDxspeaker, author, parenting coach, trainer, and public speaker.

All early educators should feel confident in their ability to support children who have experienced trauma – but of course, doing so isn’t always easy, as babies and young children can’t tell anyone how they feel, what they’ve experienced, and what they need now.

In this session, Jane will draw upon experience gained through a 30-year-plus career working with babies, children, young people, and their families – as well as time spent as a respite foster carer and childminder for babies and young children – and reflect on why it is so important that all professionals, especially those in the early years, understand what causes trauma to babies and children and how they can best support them.

During the seminar, Jane will share how and why babies and children benefit most of all from settings and adults who are trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed, and help you to discover why this is such an important focus for your setting, as well as how to begin this journey today.

Find out more, including how to book your space, on the Alliance website at bit.ly/U5conference2024.