Do you feel as though your team are always falling out and could do with some team building activities?
Blog
“Strive to make everyday the best day of your life, because there is no good reason not to.” Hal Elrod
Team Building
Jun 27, 2019
This was a question that was asked in the community group set up on Facebook for those that are studying my Hygge in Early Years Accreditation. (Find out more here)
When I worked as a leader I would hold 15 minute daily team meetings before the children came in. During this time we would run through the day, discuss health and safety/ safeguarding and share the current interests and fascinations. I really felt that having this daily meeting was important to help everyone understand how the day would pan out and allow us to have communication around it. It also meant that if any issues or difficulties were brought up by the team then these could be discussed there and then. Instead of building up over a series of days.
We would also finish our daily meetings by spending the last 5 minutes running through a guided meditation. We would use...
Guest Blog Post: Cultural Capital by Miss Grey and Play
Jun 20, 2019
Developing Cultural Capital in the Early Years
We are incredibly lucky to have a guest blog this week from Chloe Grey (AKA Miss Grey and Play).
Chloe studied her early years PGCE in Leeds and has since taught in Reception, Year 1 and Nursery in a range of schools. She has also worked as a nanny and spent time in schools in Australia and New Zealand including Montessori Settings. Chloe is currently studying for my Masters in Education and teaching in a school Nursery.
What is cultural capital?
Cultural capital is a term coined by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. He discussed ‘field’ as being like the cultural environment and ‘habitus’ as being the skills and attributes we possess relating to these cultural norms and values. This has been applied to education with the idea that some children would have had more culturally diverse experiences that may put them at an advantage. Ofsted have used the term in the new inspection framework e.g.“...
Live a Simple Life
Jun 20, 2019
Purchase what will bring you great happiness in the future.
Sometimes we can get a little lost along our track in life and we can benefit from a little reminder every now and again on what’s important for us.
Living a simple life is what the Danes pride themselves on. Nothing complicated, slowing down the pace and being present.
When it comes to spending their money the same applies. Danes will carefully plan their purchases and put thought into the ways they spend. it’s not about how much money they make and showing off but actually about how they spend the money to invest in That’s why you won’t see lots of new cars driving around Denmark or designer handbags on show. For them experiences mean more as they make you feel alive and bring you together. memories and experiences.
For example a holiday with the family would cost a lot of money but think of all the wonderful times together and the memories created will last...
Swedish Midsummer
Jun 13, 2019
A time of coming together with a slower approach to the day.
Midsummer in Sweden
Midsummer is coming on the 21st June and this is a time when it feels as though the sun never sets. In fact in northern parts of Scandinavia it doesn't!
In the 1500's this time of year was seen as a magical time where fertility levels were high. This was celebrated by the Swedes decorating the outside of their homes and farms with green foliage.
As we moved into the industrial period mill workers would come together at Midsummer for a wonderful feast of pickled herring.
More recent traditions have seen the making of floral crowns from the wildflowers and maypole dancing in the local area.
Today in Sweden many of these traditions remain. It's also very much a time of coming together with family and friends over delicious meals. Pickled herring is still a feature on the midsummer menu along with a grilled dish of salmon or spare ribs.
The evenings will be spent gathered around a...
Guest Blog: Authentic Resources
Jun 11, 2019
We are so incredibly lucky this week to be joined by the highly creative Zoë a Reception Lead Teacher. We are going to be looking at how we can resource to create curiosity, intrigue and excitement and then use this as a hook to deepen levels of learning.
Finding the perfect items to enhance my Reception setting has been a labour of love and turned into a real passion and perhaps a little bit of an obsession! I scour the second hand venues and sales, charity shops, local selling pages and car boot sales as well as eBay, Wish, Amazon. Wherever I am I consider how I can use these items to enhance my provision; to bring an element of wonder, to create an aspect of curiosity that goes beyond picking something up for the first time. This intrigue will fuel imagination, invite a friend along for the journey, transform into something completely new or take them to a once uninhabited place. Sometimes it is an unbelievable bargain that cannot be passed up...
Having a Hygge Impact
Jun 11, 2019
I'm blown away with how many of you have got in touch over the last week to share some of your photos of how you've made changes to you setting after taking part in my Hygge in Early Years Accreditation or after reading my book.
We will be covering some of the fabulous transformations over the next few months on our blog but also in our new magazine Hygge in the Early Years.
Here is a little preview of how Daisy Chain nursery have added foliage to their sand area and made it feel more inviting....
Chloe and Bridgit at Pebbles Childcare have also made some changes to their provision....
Before
After
Grass Roots Day Nursery have been tuning into opportunities to ignite all of the senses...a key feature of hygge...
Recruitment
Jun 11, 2019
Are you struggling with recruitment in your setting? You're not along as a recent poll shows 77% of settings are finding this their biggest challenge at the moment.
Here is my 30 minute masterclass on top tips to help you!
We will explore together;
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What high quality in staff means
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How you can reach a wider audience through your advertising
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Top tips for the interview process
Find out more in the Hygge in Early Years Accreditation here
Guest Post: Intergenerational Play
Jun 11, 2019
I'm just so excited to share with you the valuable insight of Nursery Owner and Lecturer Laura Sanders on the success of building Intergenerational Play in her setting.
One of my most fond memories of visiting my Great Aunties were their immaculately placed silver mirrors and brushes on a dressing table, with their pearl necklaces hidden away – too special for sight. The concept of an outdoor toilet was mind-blowing, as was the fact the Robinson family – a family of 12 children had all grown up in the four walls of a three bedroomed terraced house for over 127 years. Being a little girl, in sandals and a dress that twirled in the wind in their cobbled garden –with no grass, leaves a memory, a feeling. It forms part of my pedagogy.
I struggle to remember conversations or play. I remember being too scared to speak. Being around a generation that was almost 90 years older had no significance at that point. The words...
Hygge Quotes
Jun 11, 2019
A good motivational quote always fills with me positivity to start the day.
Here are some of my favourite Hygge inspired quotes.
“Just living isn't enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson” ― Louisa Thomsen Brits, The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity. -Simone Weil” ― Louisa Thomsen Brits, The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
“You cannot buy the right atmosphere or a sense of togetherness. You cannot hygge if you are in a hurry or stressed out, and the art of creating intimacy cannot be bought by anything but time, interest and engagement in the people around you.” ― Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well
“Craft makes our...
Is Hating Your Job Damaging Your Body?
Jun 11, 2019
With 75% of the Early Education workforce experiencing between levels 3 to 5 for their work related stress we look at the impact of this on our bodies and consider what we can do to support our wellbeing.
When I worked as an early years teacher and leader I often had feelings of overwhelm and anxiety around doing my job well. I had an ever growing to do list and very little time to do these tasks. I would get up early to be the first in work and would always be the last one to leave. My weekends and evenings were often consumed with more work! My social life become non existent as I was either working or exhausted. Does this sound familiar?
The stress of the job was having such a negative impact on the way my body was responding. My skin was dull, my eyes had lost their sparkle (and had been replaced with dark bags) and I was exhausted and achey. No amount of expensive face cream or make up would give me a healthy glow.
We know that when we face...
Nature play for babies and toddlers
Take part in my baby and toddler nature play course!
