Training & Mentoring

Art & Design through Play

Workshop will include:

• Planning for progression in learning (Nursery to Key Stage One)
• Engaging in practical art experiences that encourage creative and critical thinking - introducing a range of skills and processes
• Making links to other areas of curriculum – planning for open-ended, creative opportunities that promote the development of physical skills, thinking skills, personal capabilities, numeracy, literacy and WAU through art and design
• Evaluating learning
• Considering how plenary sessions connect the learning
• Documenting and making learning visible

Time: Half Day or Full Day programme (includes practical indoor/outdoor sessions)

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

Learning Outdoors

Workshop will include:

• Discussing benefits of Outdoor Learning – leading into policy
• Exploring how the outdoor environment supports all aspects of the curriculum – practical outdoor sessions
• Planning for learning outdoors – linking to observations of children
• Considering how low cost/no cost resources support learning
• Examining the role of the adult
• Discussing challenge, risk and safety

Time: Half Day or Full Day programme (includes practical outdoor sessions)

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

Outdoors Thinking - Certificate in Outdoor Practice

Outdoors Thinking offers a Certificate in Outdoor Practice which focuses on the outdoor provision you make onsite in your setting on a daily basis.

Three modules each made up of 4 units work together to make up the full level 3 OCN accredited certificate.

• Module 1 is about creating an outdoor environment that provides a rich landscape of stimulating, meaningful and worthwhile possibilities that draw on what the outdoors is particularly able to offer young children. There is an in-depth look at the incredible potential in the ‘super-ingredients’ of excellent outdoor provision and the opportunity to develop these in your own setting
• Module 2 enables the practitioner to understand and believe in learning through play outdoors. Time is spent exploring the natural learning mechanisms used by children.
• Module 3 supports the practitioner to be confident both in practice and articulating the role of outdoor provision in children’s learning and development

Time: 12 Day programme over a 14-month timeframe

Cost: £1200 & VAT (payable to Outdoors Thinking)

Venues in Northern Ireland: Hill of the O’ Neill, Dungannon & Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy

Lead Trainer (NI): Clare Devlin

More Info

For more information or to book a place please visit outdoorsthinking.co.uk

Learning through Investigative Play

Workshop will include:

• Supporting teachers in their understanding of what is meant by Learning through Investigative Play
• Planning for challenging and engaging experiences that will encourage children to think more creatively and critically as they play both indoors and outdoors
• Ensuring that ICT is used to support learning in meaningful ways
• Ensuring that there is clear progression in learning across the curriculum
• Supporting teachers understanding of the link between observations and planning for learning
• Supporting teachers with their use of evaluation to inform future planning for learning
• Exploring the difference between adult led and child led experiences
• Examining curriculum led planning formats

Time: Half Day or Full Day programme

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

Observation, Assessment & Planning – 2 parts

This programme is designed to run over 2 sessions. Session 1 describes how the process works. Practitioners are invited to try the process in their settings for approximately 6 weeks and then continue with Session 2. Session 2 is not essential but is highly recommended.

Session 1:

• Introduction to 3 stage process of observing, assessing and planning
• Examining observation, documentation and assessment formats
• Addressing the correlation between involvement and children's learning
• Observing and supporting wellbeing
• Practicing the observation process
• Managing the observation process in settings

Session 2:

• Questions re implementation of process to date – fine tuning the process
• Closer look at connection between observation, documentation, assessment and planning for learning - demonstrating how observations of a child inform the planning process
• Planning for learning from child led and adult led perspectives
• Examples of planning for Physical Development – illustrating the complete observation, assessment, and planning process
• Distinction and correlation between observation and evaluation of learning

Time: 2:30 hours per session (2 sessions recommended)

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

Quality Interactions - The Role of the Adult

Workshop will include:

• Examination of the role of the adult in supporting young children's thinking, learning and development
• Examining strategies that adults may use to enhance their interactions with children
• Exploring how adults support and sustain shared thinking with children
• Viewing quality interactions
• Planning for quality interactions

Time: 2:30 hours

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

Self-Evaluation & Action Planning

Workshop will include:

• What does Self-Evaluation mean?
• Considering Self-Evaluation within the context of Development Planning
• Using self-evaluation tools to help identify strengths and areas for development - gather evidence
• Prioritise areas for development
• Plan for improvement - action planning
• Implementation
• Monitoring Processes
• Evaluate progress/outcomes

Time: 2:30 hours

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

Technology in the Early Years

Workshop will include:

• What good Technology experiences look like in Early Years settings
• Planning for Technology in Pre-school, Nursery and Foundation Stage classrooms – a planning tool is given to participants
• Projects demonstrating how technology can be used effectively to support and enhance learning across the curriculum

Time: 2:30 hours

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

World Around Us & STEM through Play

Workshop will include:

• Planning for progression in learning (Nursery to Key Stage One)
• Examining the content of World Around US in Nursery, Foundation Stage and Key Stage One
• Engaging in practical experiences that encourage problem solving and creative and critical thinking – indoor and outdoor
• Making links to other areas of curriculum – planning for open-ended, creative opportunities that promote the development of physical skills, thinking skills, personal capabilities, numeracy and literacy
• Evaluating learning
• Considering how plenary sessions connect the learning

Time: Half Day or Full Day programme (includes practical indoor/outdoor sessions)

Cost: On Request

Onsite Training

One Day Event - Outdoors Thinking

This one-day event is a snapshot of the Accredited Outdoors Thinking course and will include:

• Practical experiential sessions outdoors
• A focus on evaluation of learning
• Discussion around the role of the adult
• Location and storage of equipment
• Information about the 12 day Accredited Outdoors Thinking Programme

Who is the event for?

• Schools and settings already attending the accredited training - this is an opportunity to send additional members of your team (including classroom assistants) to gain a deeper insight into outdoors thinking and learning
• Principals, managers, teachers and early years practitioners from all schools and Early Years settings who would like to gain a deeper understanding of what is meant by learning outdoors

The day will run in two locations on 2 separate dates:

• The Hill of the O'Neill, Dungannon - Tuesday 9th May 2023
• Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy - Tuesday 6th June 2023

Time: 9:30 - 3:30 (tea/ coffee served from 9:00)

Cost: £120 per person

**Participants should wear suitable outdoor clothing as much of the programme will take place outdoors

**This is a stand-alone event and does not require prior or future attendance at Outdoors Thinking.

Play and Poetry in Key Stage One

Anne Mc Erlane and Clare Devlin have created this inspiring workshop for Key Stage One teachers. 

The workshop addresses the importance of play for children and how rich playful experiences can become the catalyst for inspired creative writing and poetry.

Teachers will leave the workshop with a clear understanding of how to set up simple and meaningful play experiences. They will have a clear process for teaching children high quality creative writing (poetry) based on playful and experiential learning.

Date: Friday 6th October 2023

Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm

Venue: Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy 

Cost: £130 (Lunch & refreshments provided)

Please note that places are limited.