Cathy Early Years

Picture of ‘Flourish’ certificate awarded

Sums up my edu year 24🎉:

*cultivating cultures where others can flourish without fear*

#EYFS #ECEC #flourish #thinkingenvironment

Special appreciation to everyone who’s given their best for the best for children everywhere.

Signing out until the new year 💎 #spacetoflourish

I wish for every child to be safe, warm and cared for, primarily.

Then for every child to know love and responsive care.

Then that they have positive playful early childhoods.

And a great experience in EYFS ECEC! ✨

Equity. Not equality. Equity is not sameness. We may be ‘equal’ but we don’t all get the same opportunities : outcomes by being treated equally. It can take time to get clarity on this, I think.

📢 Calling post-16 educators!

We’re working with Sheffield Hallam University to find out what continuing professional development looks like in post-16 education in England.

By completing the survey, you’ll help to shape future opportunities for the sector.

Take the survey: tinyurl.com/3r58mxp4

Thank you so much for saying this.

Respecting #radicalrest on a Saturday morning 11 days before Christmas Day is a huge challenge, counter-cultural and massively joyful!

Here is a joyful photo of my two joy-bringing fur babies also loving radical rest 🤎🤎.

#edusky #restful #bluesky #rest #joy #earlyyearssky

www.instagram.com/p/DDaC_eyIS4...

Thanks Jo. It is indeed! Accompanying a strong and convicted, passionate HT leading the vision is so refreshing!

Working with a #Rightsrespecting primary school where the leader uses both the word #play and #resistance in conversation about #EYFS - with regard to quality early childhood focused play, pedagogy and curriculum. #joy #hope #EYSky #edusky

Yes! ⭐️

Hi. Sounds very interesting. Is there any access to your article if I’m not a subscriber?

Thank you 🪺🪹

Early years foundation stage profile handbook Guidance on completing the early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile assessment.

Early Years SEND

Important change in Profile which allowing ‘child’s established or preferred mode of communication (including non-speaking communication such as signing to be used for all of the early learning goals (ELGs)’ including ‘Speaking’ ELG.
Discussion at EY SENCo Forum, 11.12.24

It is now 😁☺️… hoping same for you too!

Hello. 🦋 welcome fellow educators. I post mainly about early childhood education and care, with sprinkles of pedagogy, lots of joy, food for thought, critical hope, flourishing, creativity, inclusivity and child-centredness. Not always in that order.

Understandable!
Funny story - hosted a zoom, used AI summary to record mins, and it efficiently noted (overheard) that I was looking fw to changing into pjs and watching ‘I’m a Celeb’. Embarrassing.

It's great to see a focus from govt on improving school readiness, and giving “every child, whatever their background, a fair chance to succeed”

But that rhetoric just isn't currently being met by actual policy - the huge early years expansion being rolled out excludes many low income children ⬇️

Children's Laureate, Frank Cotterel Boyce smiling in front of a shelf of his books.

Just been listening to @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social on @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social's Oracy Commission Podcast.
Frank is the wisest and kindest voice we have, I feel better just hearing him.
He's damn right on the importance and power of sharing stories with very young children. Listen to the ep!

Completely agree. Early life impacts. Has to be seen holistically and as integral.

Yes! Not often enough do I see support *from conception* regarded holistically. Completely agree.
We know the difference.
Everything depends on this:
development, health, brains, nutrition, stress, protective factors, music, joy, trauma, speech, movement, cortisol, attachments, care - everything.

Brilliant thanks. Love Louisa’s work.

All this. This is all. Thank you #margaretwheatley #relationships #attuned #connection #belonging @edusky.bsky.social

margaretwheatley.com/articles/tur...

They are infinite, Lisa! And Joy bringing. Hopeful conversations full of possibility that make a difference for children. This is such a passion of mine! So great to connect with you and colleagues around this in such exciting ways. ✨🌱💥

Using #nancykline #thinkingenvironment gives us as educators #timetothink in a safe protected space —

contributing to those important pedagogical thinking team dialogues that make a difference.
💚🌱
Love my job!

(Photos by me)

It brings agency to children.
Power to create hope, bring good, see restoration.
💥
I’ve been exploring the #perma model with colleagues and seeing the positives from connection, encouragement and relationship, belonging, care and thinking space.
💡

When we share new knowing, when we notice and when we see difference and make a difference, it is empowering. It gives us power.

Whatever we call them, they bring us to a place of potentia and energy.

It awakens possibility and flourishing, a focus on flow and wallow, slowing and knowing.

Magic moments (muddy boots) at a nursery school yesterday.

Do you look for the #pocketsofjoy #sparks #glimmers #microjoys #wowmoments ?

What do you see / notice / know / find out?

Stepping back to really *see* at times can be so insightful. Don’t lose the skill of observation!
🌱✨

1/4 🪡🧵

While waiting on the platform for the Met Line I saw the *Waiting Room* sign.
Made me think about room: Making room for waiting:
Creating space!
Space to see, hear, wait, notice, listen, watch.
Reminds of of ‘watch, wait, wonder and what we might “see” when we truly look and listen.
#everything

Thanks Lisa!

Finding spaces of creative possibility! 😍