Environment - University and Community Early Learning Centre

Neutral tones and baskets to present order in the space

Using light 

Funky frames with the child and their family around the classroom

Looking back down the classroom - quite like the green paint on the walls - catches the natural light really well

Of course I am drawn to this...weaving...felting...hmmmm...missing my studio right now

How amazing are these children and their teachers??

More photographs from University and Community Early Learning Centre

 The children have their 3D constructions on display for the family information evening

Below is one of the classrooms

 Setting the table

 Natural materials and neutral tones

 Props for dressing up and pretend play

 Gem stones on the wire - suspended from the ceiling

 Bringing the space down to meet the children

The presentation of the environment here is very important to invite children to be curious in spaces and play

Photographs from University and Community Early Learning Centre

On the evening before the workshop on Friday, the teachers hosted a parent evening to showcase the children's learning projects over the past year. Some of the shots are of the documentation shared with  families.

The team is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach and plan to attend a study tour as a team (I think) in the next few years...next stop after that is Aotearoa NZ

 Some of the children attend Kindergarten as well - our equivalent of new entrant

University and Community Early Learning Centre - Professional development Kiwi style

On Friday I spent the day with the teaching team at University and Community Early Learning Centre. Louise is the Centre Director and had contacted me before I left NZ to see if I could spend some time with their team to talk about curriculum, assessment, learning stories and planning. I thought that the material I had prepared for other presentations would be suitable, however as the time came closer I realised I had some new thinking to share and some reflections to make visible. I wanted to take the teachers into our world in NZ through photography and stories. 
The day started well with a coffee from Starbucks....perfect beginning to a fun filled day and a message from their Board Chairperson that was stirring and empowering. How motivating is it when your chairperson sends an email to be read out at the beginning of the professional development day reminding the teachers of how important they are and how the committee see them as being the way to be the best early childhood service in Alberta? Have to confess I was moved by the tone of the email and support for the teachers. We started in the library and moved to the classroom - that is what many early childhood spaces are called - 'classroom' - there is something in this as the space is recognised as a place where learning happens just because it is called the same thing a space is a school is called....food for thought.We demonstrated our resourcefulness by making good use of a display board in the classroom for the projector.The teachers are interested in how learning stories and narrative assessment can strengthen their documentation and assessment. The teachers are very excited about some of the stories I was able to share with them from what we are doing in NZ. They like the Vortex too - seeing things as a connected system is helpful.