At Edx Education we love to hear from teachers and especially early years teachers around the world. We are so excited to hear from Thomas Adlam who has shared his approach to Early Years.
As an Early Years professional the biggest factor in teaching young children from birth is understanding how development can come from various influences around them.
Setting up the day – fun from the beginning.
Setting up an environment that allows children to discover new and exciting experiences while giving them comfort with familiarity by using what they recognise and enjoy.
Toys play an enormous role in how children learn and the classroom should reflect this. Having fun, colourful and unique areas that encourage role playing, social interactions and exploration.
Offering support and alternatives for wellbeing – this comes into practice when setting up mealtimes for all children. To understand their individual needs is important and what risks that come with meeting each need while still varying both diet and experience. Babies have milk but from then on, giving variety and nutrition will support overlal development in every child.
Having plans and creating work for every child while understanding their individuality. Being able to have the flexibility to offer challenges for the children to work through and meet intended goals without excluding or leaving anyone behind. Physical and cognitive development are important and each child will develop at different rates. Know your child will ensure that the work they are doing is meeting their needs and abilities.
Emotions and identity – the who in who-they-are.
We all know relationships with parents and carers are very important, these are the foundation on which trust and a support network for the child is created. No one knows a child better than a parent or carer and this partnership will help create an enabling and supportive environment.
Understanding what triggers there can be for young children on an emotional level is a skill that all professionals in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) should possess. The need to be observant is built into the EYFS to monitor the child’s development, but the ability to look, notice and learn from behaviours is the key to overcome possible issues a child may encounter.
Emotional behaviours – not to find blame
One of the biggest challenges for a nursery teacher is balance, allowing a child to emote in their own way but uphold the standards and desired behaviours that each stage of development sets out. Children should be encouraged to express how they feel and learn from their experiences. Promotion of positive consequences should be a strong resource that is used, in my own experience with children from various backgrounds and varying behavioural control – introduction of strategies that allow a child to step back and think about what outcomes can occur before reacting to a situation will always benefit development, rather than the removal of the issue or even the child. The key in all of what an Early Years professional does is to make the parent or carer feel comfortable with leaving their child and make children feel safe and secure.
Why did I become a nursery teacher and what do I enjoy?
I started off working as a landscape gardener for a beautiful little nursery - when covid affected the setting, i was asked to help out as bank staff to ensure ratios were met. I have a son but I must admit, this was a big challenge but one I relished and inadvertently started my journey in Early Years. Eventually I started working full time while applying and completing my NVQ level 3 qualification.
Important note: I do not claim to be the best at my job – far from it. I am continually challenging myself and looking for the next step in my own learning. Childcare is a constant learning curve with new information, advice and guidance being updated regularly.
I have moved to a wonderful nursery setting that has allowed me to work not just on myself but change areas to improve the offerings for the children:
The introduction of a sensory garden, outside classroom and forest school has made a positive impact not just on the children but their families and the wider community (as this is used by the local church for the community to enjoy).
At collection times getting to tell parents/carers a small piece of information about their child and what they did is a positive that makes the work worth it.
Creating new and vibrant displays to display children’s work for the parents and carers to see.
Having a chat with parents and carers has been a fantastic experience for myself and has been a great way to show how interested in them and their lives we can be.
Host special events such as sports day, Christmas nativity and Easter celebrations as well as Chinese new year, Ramadan and Halloween. These are great moments that the children will remember and start to have a role in creating.
The influence and incorporation of backgrounds, beliefs and cultures has on planning. Being able to learn about and use certain parts of a child's life that is important to them and their family is a wonderful feeling that improves my own development in childcare.
What should be remembered:
As an Early Years teacher in the UK, it is always important to remember to be updated on current legislation. Big changes can happen almost over night to policies and knowing how to deal with this, is crucial to ensure that the staff and setting remain in line with the guidance set out by the government. A lot of this can be done through training programs offered by the setting.
Being caring, understanding and be able to overcome challenges are the basis on which all other skills can be learnt. These are the traits that all childcare providers should promote to make sure staff can meet the need of every child.
12 August, 2022 by Thomas Adlam. Hindhead, Surrey, UK.
Editor’s note: Mr Adlam was key worker to the child of one of the Edx Education team. Their little boy loved going to the nursery with his teacher, and we hope you can see why too.