Just wanted to say a huge thank you for today and yesterdays training, I found the experience extremely valuable both as an educator and parent. I’m really looking forward to implementing all I’ve learnt into my Start the Art sessions, MK Autumn School, November 2014
Delegate at Stockport Early Years Conference
I have returned to work this morning with renewed vigour, determined to convince my fellow team members to follow me into a world of creative discovery....who knows where it may lead??Stockport Early Years Conference, October 2014
Wendy Hartley, Stockport Early Years Team
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your presentation on Friday at the Stockport EY Conference. It was so refreshing to hear someone telling me that it was OK, to do what my heart has been fighting to do for many years (over 30 in EY) - think outside the box, nurture curiosity and creativity and foster a love of exploration and free flowing ideas, not only with the children but with the staff team too. Stockport Early Years Conference, October 2014
Delegate, ISA EYFS Training Course, Babington House School
I enjoyed looking at the ways we can include natural resources to encourage creativity ISA EYFS Training Course, Babington House School, October 2014
Delegate, ISA EYFS Training Course, Babington House School
I especially enjoyed the creativity and crafting session and will be using many of the ideas in my classroom - ISA EYFS Training Course, Babington House School, October 2014
Delegate, ISA EYFS Training Course, Babington House School
Ruth Churchill Dower provided me with a large number of practical, creative ideas I cannot wait to introduce into my setting - ISA EYFS Training Course at Babington House School, October 2014
Delegate, Birth to Five Conference, June 2014
It has made me renew and focus on why I came in to teaching. Both keynote and closing speeches where excellent. They were inspiration, motivating and thought provoking. Closing speaker really made me think about what I say and the way I treat boys! I love the stone printing in Earlyarts and will definitely use the idea - Birth to Five Conference, June 2014
Cassie Taylor
Hearing about the importance of creative development has been brilliant for me.
Nicole attending Teddy Talks at Blackheath Conservatoire
Just a wonderful introduction to the organisation I hadn't known before. Teddy Talks at Blackheath Conservatoire, November 2013
Barbara Nicholls, Development Manager, National Childminding Association
Wonderful networking opportunity for sharing and cross-fertilisation of ideas and creativity. Great potential to influence development of early years service delivery to delight and inspire our children. Proud and grateful to have been a participant. Thank you for the opportunity.
Danny Lane, Director, Music and the Deaf
The den making work was truly inspiring. All the case studies of your international early years work showed how much learning can be fun and how important it is to give the youngest children a good start in their lives.
Julie Callaghan, Foundation Stage Advisory Teacher, Cumbria Sure Start
Thank you for the reminder that music is central to human communication; children deserve to be enveloped in its magic.
Joanne Albin-Clark, Early Years Lecturer, Edge Hill University
Well done for such a fantastic, professionally run, and well thought through piece of work. We were challenged, excited and thoughtful from start to finish. And we had a lot of fun!
Kathy Brodie, Early Years Practitioner
Just wanted to let you know what a fantastic day we have had today! It has been really thought provoking with excellent contributors. The two who deserve special mention are John Rainer whose presentation was very informative without being too technical (which is necessary for me!) and Jo Albin-Clark from Edge Hill. She was exceptional in her skills as a facilitator in the morning and very interesting in her workshop in the afternoon. Thank you so much for organising all this.
Mary and Ken Walker, Performers/Facilitators, Pandora's Daughter
We have been meaning to write to say thanks for the Earlyarts Professional Development Day! It was very enjoyable to get an opportunity to participate in an Earlyarts Forum, and meet with other practitioners. It inspired us both to think of a new project, and within a short time, one had cropped up. Nursery Rhymes through stories, songs and puppets at a setting in Wombwell. It is an ideal new space to work in, the idea builds on a previous project where the school felt Nursery Rhymes are all but dead and were looking for a way of bringing their meanings back to life again. Many thanks again for all the ideas and connections.
Jenny Harris, Drama Workshop Leader, Harris Associates
I always come away from the Earlyarts Professional Development Days very fired up. The last one found me walking home to the bus through the centre of Manchester with ideas for plays about the body - including big legs in stripey socks - and large plastic beach balls - and all manner of other things...........
And it's very exciting. So - Earlyarts - what does it have to offer?
For a freelancer like me, it is great meeting like minded people, getting energised about creativity, playing, having the chance to try out new ideas in a safe environment, and for once to not have to take the lead! There is a clear agenda which keeps us up to speed with the latest developments and initiatives, and then we do active workshops and share ideas. When you are busy, it is great that these days come along when you can start to digest some of yours and others learning.
Elaine Bates, Early Years Co-ordinator, The Manchester Museum
The Earlyarts Professional Development Day was very inspiring - almost too much for the brain on one day! But I think it is indicative of just how many innovative initiatives are now happening in early years and the challenge is to join it up as far as possible and make it count, which is what Earlyarts is able to do. We're looking forward to being on this journey with Earlyarts.
Penny Hay, Director of Research, 5x5x5=creativity and Senior Lecturer in Arts Education, Bath Spa University
Earlyarts has kept me informed, and put me in touch nationally and internationally, with some of the most developmental practice in terms of creative approaches for young children. It’s very inspiring - South West (North) Professional Development Day, May 2010
Jane Sedgewick, General Adviser Art and Design, West Sussex County Council
The Earlyarts network is a vital organ to keep the heart of creativity beating on the agenda of policy makers and local authorities - South West (North) Professional Development Day, May 2010
Angela Dixon, Nursery Teacher, Appletree Children's Centre
A brilliant day with some excellent ideas. I felt inspired to try something new with my nursery class. I have been lucky enough to continue working in the community garden and share what we did with other members of staff and more importantly with our children. They love the spider`s web which was created amongst the trees - Cumbria Professional Development Day,