The power of community - supporting quality and improvement in the early years

In the summer term 2019, Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with the Warwickshire Teaching School Alliance (WTSA), launched the first of five Early Years Aspiration Networks, with another six being rolled out last autumn and the remaining three set to take off in spring 2020 (14 in total).

The networks provide an opportunity for practitioners working with children aged birth to five in both mainstream and PVI schools and settings to come together on a regular basis to support workforce development, share good practice and lead quality improvement across the early years sector in Warwickshire.

One of the first networks to launch was the Bedworth Aspiration Network, which is already growing and fast becoming a positive early years community support, helping to build skills and knowledge and foster positive working relationships.

Jane Harris, Assistant Headteacher and Reception teacher at Wheelwright Lane Primary School, leads the Bedworth group and has worked with Amanda King and Michelle Hutton from the WTSA unpicking the data to determine the key areas where further support could be given to help raise the teaching and learning outcomes for children in the area. Along with this, input from the network group members has helped to shape an annual plan, which includes training for educators in the locality.  

At the outset, one of the key priority areas highlighted by members was support for children with SEND; with the growing numbers of children being identified with additional needs it is becoming ever more important to be able to identify the signs and provide the right support as early in a child's education as possible.  As a result, earlier this year an event was held at Bedworth Heath Nursery School to give practitioners the opportunity to learn what others are doing to support children with SEND in their settings. 

At the event, the 23 attendees (from PVI, mainstream nursery and school reception settings):

• received guidance on how to apply for the WIncKS award (Warwickshire Inclusion Kitemarking Scheme) which recognises and celebrates high quality SEND provision in Warwickshire’s pre-school settings;
• took part in a sensory processing workshop and a communication in print workshop, fully supported by the Integrated Disability Service (IDS) team;
• were given strategies, ideas and skills from the Bedworth Heath Nursery staff that have been embedded into the school from the continuous support that is provided by IDS.

The meeting was such an excellent example of the power of community and the importance of sharing the knowledge and skills that we have in our settings, of which there is plenty.

The potential for improvement just by sharing this learning across our family of schools is huge - not to mention free - and it is hoped that with the introduction of the Aspiration Networks across the county that this will increase opportunities for all early years educators to learn from each other, build on some already excellent practice and ultimately help all young children in Warwickshire to achieve their potential. 

For details of the Aspiration Network Leads for each area please see this list which also includes contact details of consortium leads.

If you would like any further information about the Early Years Aspiration Networks please contact Michelle Hutton, WTSA Coordinator at Hutton.m2@welearn365.com