I really enjoyed hearing about the links between the brain development of young children and the way that creative environments support this, and seeing the photos of the fabulous environments created by Theatre of Adventure. I learned from Estelle Morris's fascinating and candid experiences about leadership - the importance of saying 'yes' and of not giving up on your vision. She also reassured me that in these difficult times the way ahead for the future is through partnership - Earlyarts Leadership Masterclass and National Strategy Launch, 2nd April 2012

I was most inspired by hearing about all the success stories and finding out about the range of Earlyarts activities.  What I'll take back with me from today is encouraging creativity as part of 'every day', ie not special or reserved for artists and specialists.  This is an impressive, engaged community of professional who are committed to what they do for the benefit of young children, their parents and carers.  It shows in what they say, how they say it and what they do - Earlyarts National Strategy Launch, 2nd April 2012

I was inspired by Estelle's morning Masterclass and by meeting like minded professionals and hearing more about Earlyarts.  I thoroughly enjoyed the day, thank you - Earlyarts Leadership Masterclass and National Strategy Launch, 2nd April 2012

A brilliant day that shone from beginning to end.  Every person in attendance on the day helped to illuminate my soul and lift my spirit.  I went home full of ideas, renewed energy and inspiration.  Many thanks - Growing Stories PDD, 5th December 2011, Leicester

The facilitator was brilliant – as I’m not very experienced in dance or movement I was a bit nervous, but it was fun and relaxed - Let's Get Moving PDD, 24th November 2011, London

I did think that the workshop was excellently delivered and would provide teachers with wonderful creative ideas and tools - Let's Get Moving PDD, 24th November 2011, London

The workshop was thoroughly facilitated with careful attention to detail and circumstances within a classroom setting - Let's Get Moving PDD, 24th November 2011, London

I liked the exploration of linking art and movement.  I thought exploring the different dynamics between the ink stamp and the paintbrush was an excellent way into exploring movement creatively - Let's Get Moving PDD, 24th November 2011, London

Always refreshing to revisit how we can be physically more expressive – dance is a fantastic and accessible language for theatre (though often deemed inaccessible) - Let's Get Moving PDD, 24th November 2011, London

Our experiences really matter; and matter most of all when we share them all and work together with the support of Youth Music and Earlyarts – Play to Learn PDD, 24^th June 2011, Norwich

I thought it was very refreshing and got some brilliant new ideas – Play to Learn PDD, 24^th June 2011, Norwich

I think we were able to put ourselves in the child’s place, and I think that’s the best way to learn. It’s a nice feeling of a group working together, all very concerned about the same issues in early years education – Michelle Sorensen, Play to Learn PDD, 24^th June 2011, Norwich

I’m hoping we can bring some of that magic forward when we do storytelling in our setting – Exploring Creativity Outdoors PDD, 28^th June 2011, Sutton

The storytelling exercises; it was good to see the oral tradition as a tool is still alive and working – Exploring Creativity Outdoors PDD, 28^th June 2011, Sutton

I really enjoyed the storytelling, being able to use your voice and your actions to tell a story and make it more interesting. Going into the outdoors, not all children in cities get to go outdoors much, it’s a really valuable thing for them to be able to explore outdoors and nature – Exploring Creativity Outdoors PDD, 28^th June 2011, Sutton 

It has given me ideas about how we could use different settings to spark off stories from children rather than bring a ready-made story to them, to use simple objects you might find, to use as a question, a starting point, a bit like the spark that starts the fire; how we can ignite that whole series of different stories – Exploring Creativity Outdoors PDD, 28^th June 2011, Sutton

Doing more outdoors, getting ideas, and I really liked the storytelling, I thought that was really interesting – Exploring Creativity Outdoors PDD, 28^th June 2011, Sutton

I’ve enjoyed the activities, and they’ve given me ideas of how I can use these in my work – Exploring Creativity Outdoors PDD, 28^th June 2011, Sutton 

I’ve attended Earlyarts PDDs before so I’ve remembered things I was taught before and this has heightened my awareness of what I can do, brought back the joy of doing things outside and the joy I’ve experienced, hopefully the children will enjoy these too – Exploring Creativity Outdoors PDD, 28^th June 2011, Sutton 

There are organisations out there able to help that I didn’t know anything about, so from that point of view it’s been really good – Play to Learn PDD, 24^th June 2011, Norwich

It’s been useful because there are all sorts of people in the room who want things to happen and as an organisation we like to help make things happen - Play to Learn PDD, 24^th June 2011, Norwich

I found the first talk from Youth Music very helpful, overlapped with things I’ve found out in the past and consolidated other things, and I’ve found out new things – Play to Learn PDD, 24^th June 2011, Norwich

Inspires us to learn more about how children learn, to inspire children - through that the children become inspired - Play to Learn PDD, 24^th June 2011, Norwich

The Earlyarts network is a vital organ to keep the heart of creativity beating on the agenda of policy makers and local authorities

It was great to connect with others working in this field who had so much expertise and knowledge to share. The willingness of everyone there to do this was inspiring. The day was very helpful in giving me an overview of some of the things going on in early years work and the opportunity to play with other professionals was enormous fun - Play to Learn, PDD, June 2011

The two workshops complemented each other very well and were both very relevant to my work as an early years music practitioner. They were both lots of fun too! - Play to Learn, PDD, June 2011

A brilliant show and great workshop with loads of ideas - Drama Theatre and Creative Learning in Early Years, PDD, April 2011

I came along expecting a course where I would sit writing notes all day. I happily realised it was my type of course when the first activity was making a sculpture out of the contents of my handbag! The course leaders all had very interesting ideas which appealed immediately but the most exciting aspect for me is how the information we were given has fired up my imagination weeks after the course to develop new activities to do with carers and children - Engaging our Families, PDD, April 2011

I was able to go to a setting the next day and make a circle of light with the children outside which they loved doing. Also the staff really enjoyed this. We also stayed outside for snack time which the children loved - Adventuring in the Outdoors, PDD, March 2011

I felt that it was an enriching and genuinely creative day. I made connections with other professionals, and felt supported, nurtured and empowered to work creatively with children and families - Reflective Journals, PDD, February 2011

This was a really inspiring day.  The music and song brought the gallery to life and I’m now determined to do the same in my own museum - Puppetry and Music, PDD, January 2011

I have attended many Professional Development Days now and each time I come away inspired. I always learn something new and can always take something back to share with colleagues. These days provide lots of learning and are lots of fun! - Once Upon a Time... PDD, December 2010

Meeting new people, sharing ideas and learning new ways is fundamental in my very individual learning journey - Working with Children and Families PDD, November 2010

In my opinion a successful experience should leave you wanting more.... The Earlyarts Unconference certainly left me with that feeling!!  I could have watched Tell Tale Hearts all day, especially with the group of ‘real’ children ... their honest, innocent reactions and the performers' spellbinding ability to grab and hold our attention was incredibly powerful! I could have easily chosen four or five workshops to attend and/or equally spent the majority of the day looking at stalls and talking to the vast array of knowledgeable people there! It was truly moving and inspiring to be part of such a gathering which incorporated an enormous array of creative people, whatever their experience or motivation for being there - Earlyarts International UnConference, November 2010

We have got to make a stand for our children’s education and creative opportunities in this country. Our politicians do not get it nor will they! Education and creativity are part of the same thing, always have been and always will be. The most successful people in our country are the best creative thinkers. Come on everybody make the links!  Stop ripping creativity out of education! It doesn’t want to leave nor will it! Stop fighting it, accept it and move on! - Earlyarts International UnConference November 2010

For inspiration, for connection of leading minds, for practical suggestions and 'worldly' access to practise - I would recommend this event strongly - Earlyarts International UnConference

I really enjoyed the whole day and there are many aspects from both the discussions and practical events that I can use within my own practice. It is always good to be able to share ideas with like minded people and realise that others see the value that children gain from having practitioners that encourage their creative ideas. Often people see the arts as a subject area and that you are either good or bad at it, there is nothing inbetween. I don’t see it like this and don’t want the children I am working with to have this narrow view. I want them to use their eyes, express their feelings and demonstrate through their actions that being creative can be a part of every aspect of their lives. This message I felt was expressed at the UnConference - Earlyarts International UnConference November 2010