On 2 August 2007 DCSF advised authorities that the Children's Fund will continue for a further 3 years, and setting out the purpose of grant and grant allocations for 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. To download the LAC visit http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies/docs/LAC(0208070001)-CF.pdf

ARTS MUST BE PLACED AT ‘HEART OF REGENERATION', SAYS CULTURE MINISTER MARGARET HODGE

Exclusive in The Stage, 2nd August: Culture minister Margaret Hodge has warned that, with a tough spending round approaching, the arts must explore new avenues to help supplement traditional sources of subsidy. Hodge explained that she was investigating how culture could link up with regeneration and education initiatives to gain access to funds which fell outside the jurisdiction of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. She added that while she and culture secretary James Purnell were fighting hard for a "fair deal" from the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, the sector would, in the future, need to look to organisations such as the Regional Development Agencies for alternative or additional investment.

"I've just come from being sponsor minister for the Regional Development Agencies. So I've got a relationship with them. They've got a budget of £2.3 billion. That's all about economic regeneration in their regions and if we can place theatre and culture more strongly at the heart of regeneration, if we can persuade the RDAs of that, I hope that we can attract greater investment than we have in the past from them." More here.

CONCERNS OVER ARTS FUNDING TO CULTURE SECRETARY JAMES PURNELL,

The Treasury has responded to industry concerns over arts funding in the run up to the comprehensive spending review, by urging organisations to raise issues directly with culture secretary James Purnell, the STAGE revealed on 28th August. In a letter to the National Campaign for the Arts, Treasury chief secretary Andy Burnham asserted that the government continued to value the contribution of theatres across the country, and from the wider sector, in bringing cultural experiences to the public.

However, he stressed that it was not the Treasury's place to determine financial support for the arts but for the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to decide the level of funding for his department's sponsored bodies. The response comes in reaction to a joint letter drafted by Equity, Bectu, Musician's Union, Theatrical Management Association, Dance UK, NCA and Independent Theatre Council, sent in May to then chancellor Gordon Brown, warning of the damaging consequences of the Olympic's Lottery raid on the culture sector, which is set to remove £137 million to the 2012 Games. More here.

LOCAL AUTHORITY BRIEFING PACK FOR EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE

Following the launch of the Early Years Foundation Stage on 13 March 2007, the Primary National Strategy launched a briefing pack in May 2007 for local authorities (LAs), to support them in informing and familiarising practitioners and providers in their area about the framework before its introduction in September 2008. Download the pack here

CHILDREN'S COMMISSIONER: FIVE-YEAR PLAN

Publishing a new five-year plan for the Office of the Children's Commissioner on 16 May 2007, Sir Al Aynsley-Green said that England was the worst place in which to be a child and warned of a 'crisis at the heart of our society'. The plan, branded '11 million' - a reference to the number of children in England, focuses on key issues facing children and young people, including youth justice and anti-social behaviour, asylum and trafficking, mental health, and education. For more details here

SPECIALIST SUBJECTS PLANNED FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

Children as young as five will get specialist tuition in science, art and foreign languages under new Government plans to improve exam results. Primary schools will be encouraged to become specialist "subject colleges" - focusing extra cash on particular areas of the curriculum. Ministers are hoping to replicate the success of specialist schools in the secondary sector. Read Graeme Paton's full article in 27th June's Telegraph here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/23/nedu323.xml

FINAL CALL FOR PAPERS - 'THE ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD' FOR JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD - WWW.WWWORDS.CO.UK/CIEC

Much has been written in recent years on the need for children to have both freedom for self-expression and instruction in the arts. International trends in early education herald literacy and numeracy development as foremost activity in schools, including in the early years. A narrow focus on these elements, whether intended or unintended, denies the richness of possibility in the arts for children's learning both of itself, and for instrumental purposes such as those related to literate behaviour. Research on the arts as an 'other' space in early childhood clearly depicts the challenges and narrowing perspective of many mainstream school and centre-based sites of learning. Early years arts educators are breaking new ground both in ways of seeing children and in making a space for supporting children in realising and extending their artistic endeavours, aesthetic and cultural understandings.

We want the special issue to provide a comprehensive examination of the topic. The submission deadline is 30 September 2007, and publication is targeted for mid-2008. Please submit papers of 5000-8000 words to Dr Felicity McArdle ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Guidelines for submitting papers can be found here: http://www.wwwords.co.uk/ciec/howtocontribute.html.

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG CHILDREN

In May 2007 Learning through Landscapes published Heading Out - exploring the impact of outdoor experiences on the development of young children. The aim of the Heading Out project was to investigate the potential benefits of learning and play in the outdoors to the development of foundation stage children across England. The project explored existing evidence regarding the development of 3-5 year olds and considered how positive intervention and best practice can influence the range and quality of opportunity for children to learn and play outdoors. In the project, outdoor specialists worked with two nurseries to find solutions to their very inadequate outdoor provision. This report brings together the findings from the project and considers the implications of these findings upon practice, policy and research. Download the report here

PLAY FOR UNDER THREES

A guide to providing rich and meaningful experiences for children under three was launched at a conference on 23 June 2007 at Manchester Metropolitan University. Playing to learn. Developing high quality experiences for babies and toddlers by Lesley Abbott and Anne Langston is a 56-page guide with a DVD. The guide is based on a project carried out at five early years centres. The guide is available from Open University Press - details at http://mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0335222382.html

ARTS IN EARLY YEARS SETTINGS

In June 2007 the West Midlands region of the Arts Council published ‘More than potato prints - making the most of the arts in early years settings'. Sure Start settings across the West Midlands have developed a strong arts-based focus for their childcare activities. This document features a number of examples that illustrate the range of what is possible. More details here.

GETTING THE BLOKES ON BOARD: INVOLVING FATHERS AND MALE CARERS IN READING WITH THEIR CHILDREN

This new NLT magazine, aimed at professionals who work with parents, contains lots of ideas for getting fathers and male carers reading with their children. If you've never worked with dads before, or would just like a few extra ideas, Getting the Blokes on Board is for you, free on request. To get a hard copy email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The magazine is also available to download as a pdf. More

READING CHAMPIONS FILMS

To support schools in encouraging boys to read more, Reading Champions has produced two short films demonstrating how the winning Reading Champion schools of 2006 have motivated the boys in their school to read. To access these inspiring films, visit http://www.readingchampions.org.uk and click on the resources section.

HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOLS. COULD YOUR SCHOOL BE EVEN MORE CREATIVE?

This handbook builds on the experience of Creative Partnerships in over 2500 schools in 36 areas of England. It offers ways for schools to work with external partners to support imaginative enquiries - bringing the curriculum to life and delivering across and beyond it for whole school change. Download a PDF copy or order from the Creative Partnerships website now.

CREATIVITY SELF EVALUATION FORM (C-SEF)

This Creativity Self Evaluation Form (C-SEF) is intended to help schools analyse how they are working to ensure that creativity is at the heart of learning, teaching and school organisation. For more information or to download a copy, please visit the Creative Partnerships website.

FUTURELAB - CALL FOR IDEAS UPDATE

Of all the projects submitted to Futurelab under the theme of ‘innovative tools for future teaching', My-E has been selected for development. My-E is a highly visual environment which aims to help reception age children tell their own learning stories and create and sustain personal learning networks with their parents, carers and teaching professionals. Updates on the project will appear in future newsletters - as well as details about the next Call for Ideas (which opens in January 2008). Further details...

YOUNG VISITORS ‘ROAD TEST' IKON GALLERY

A singing lift, finding ‘hidden' things in gallery exhibits and resin bricks all caught the imagination of our intrepid young consultants as they explored what Ikon Gallery has to offer! Ikon Gallery is one of Birmingham's foremost contemporary art galleries. Playtrain has been working with Ikon and local children and families to look at how young visitors experience the venue and exhibitions. Our young consultants had great fun 'road testing' the current Young Visitor Gallery Guides which proved popular with younger children and their families. Simpler instructions, more opportunity for drawing and more things to engage older children were top of their recommendations for making the experience even better. Website: http://www.ikon-gallery.co.uk

KICK INTO READING FILM

Reading The Game has produced a short film of its programme Kick into Reading. Produced as an evaluation tool, it features some of the football clubs, libraries, children and storytellers that have been part of the programme so far. The film demonstrates some of the inspirational stories and messages of the programme. More

NATIONAL YEAR OF READING 2008

"The 2008 National Year of Reading will create a powerful focus of opportunities and activities so that children, families and adult learners understand the benefits that reading for pleasure and purpose can bring to change their lives." - Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State, Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency are leading a consortium of organisations committed to promoting reading to manage the National Year of Reading 2008 (NYR) on behalf of the DCSF. For more information read the press release.

ENGAGE CYMRU - WHAT CAN ARTISTS AND GALLERIES OFFER CHILDREN IN THE FOUNDATION PHASE

In Autumn 2007, engage Cymru ran two pilot action research projects with 3 -5 year olds, with Gwynedd and Conwy local authorities in Wales, exploring how artists and galleries can help deliver the new Foundation Phase. 'In this project we saw examples of everything that is promoted in the Foundation Phase and its whole philosophy' (quote - early years advisor). 'The art gallery is a fantastic provocation' (nursery teacher).

During Autumn 2007, engage Cymru will work with Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Wrexham local authorities to explore further the impact of working with artists and galleries and how this can aid 3 - 5 year olds' development with the Foundation Phase. Summary report and full bilingual report now available to download from http://www.engage.org

For further information contact Angela Rogers, tel: 01834 870121 or email here.

100 VOICES - 5X5X5 RESEARCHING CHILDREN, RESEARCHING THE WORLD

5x5x5=creativity involves groups of five educational settings, five artists and five cultural

centres working in partnership to support young children in their exploration, communication and expression of creative ideas. Innovative creative projects have emerged through this process, with artists, educators and cultural centres working together. The research project has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. Over the last 5 years 5x5x5 creativity has become nationally recognised as a research project of vitality and innovation. In order to achieve one of the original aims ‘creating a legacy' they have produced this DVD which includes high quality documentation and vivid evidence of 5x5x5 creativity and the impact on the learning of children and adults.

The documentary involves interviewees (artists, educators, children, parents, mentors) from

5x5x5 who share their understanding of creative processes, explore the principles at the centre of the work, and the wider impact on the individuals and settings involved, intercut with footage shot regularly throughout the project. Copies of the ‘100 Voices DVD' are available at £10 plus p+p. To order DVD/reports please contact: Julia Butle, 5x5x5 creativity, PO Box 3236, Chippenham SN15 9DE or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TALK TO YOUR BABY WEBSITE

Talk To Your Baby is a campaign run by the National Literacy Trust to encourage parents and carers to talk more to children from birth to three. Talking to young children helps them become good communicators, which is essential if they are to lead happy, fulfilled and successful lives. More information on their website here. Talk to Your Baby also has a downloadable music pack which is available here.

FLUX - HOSTED BY FUTURELAB

Flux's children's website section dedicated to discussion and debate. Click here to view.

EARLYARTS NORTH EAST - MOVEMENT LANGUAGES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

A collection of articles exploring movement and dance in Early Years Education. Contributors include: Bare Toed, Jasmine Pasch, Angela Kennedy, Maria Mernin, Guy Dartnell, Robin Duckett, Ruth Nichol, Colwyn Trevarthen and Ruth Spencer. Cost: £5.99

"Children are ‘full of it'. From the moment they are born they are skilled communicators, competent beings who leave us in no doubt that we need a lot of energy to keep up with them as they grow and develop. They just don't stop moving ... In joining with children, listening to them and talking in their first language, which is movement, adults will be supporting children to build firm foundations for the future and become adept as playmates themselves. George Bernard Shaw reminds us " We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - Jasmine Pasch

To order contact Anna Snell: email here, tel 0191 2220021. www.earlyartsnortheast.org.

SPOTLIGHT ON CREATIVITY AND THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF LEARNING (SEAL)

On 24 September Creative Partnerships and DCSF will lead an event at the Wellcome Trust exploring the relationship between creativity and SEAL. SEAL is a comprehensive approach to promoting the social and emotional skills that underpin effective learning, positive behaviour, regular attendance, staff effectiveness and the emotional health and well-being of all who learn and work in schools. The intention is that the event will mark the beginning of a collaborative network that can continue to develop and share practice. This event is not open for attendance at this stage.

ARC 2007 EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP THROUGH ARTISTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

ArC is a three year project with firstsite and CSN Consultancy working in partnership with the 15 primary schools of Colchester Consortium. ArC places practising artists into schools to creatively explore citizenship. The completed artworks are celebrated in this exhibition: Phase 1 = 25th September to 13th October; Phase 2 = 20th October to 10th November; Phase 3 - 17th November to 8th December; all at the Minories Art Gallery, Colchester - Free Entry.

CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS: SPACE TO THINK SEMINARS

26 September, 10 October and 8 November 2007 - Space to Think seminars provide a forum for the creative, cultural, education and business sectors to meet and discuss a broad range of issues concerning creativity and learning. These events are free of charge and start at 6pm. Five key themes are being explored in the series: "Does Every Child Matter in Socially Engaged Practice?", "UK: The World's Creative Hub?" and "Creativity Under the Microscope". Following each Space To Think, a full podcast and blog are available for everyone to share thoughts and comments, available under: http://www.creative-partnerships.blogspot.com . To ensure a place, book online, register your interest here or call Marie Coleman on 020 7973 5320. Space to Think programme here: http://www.creative-partnerships.com/news/168062

KODALY MUSIC WORKSHOP - 30th SEPTEMBER

An introduction to Kodaly teaching by two top class Koday specialists, Len Tyler and Lucinda Geoghegan on 30th September, Durham School, Quarryheads Lane, Durham. A day filled with practical ideas and ready to use material and resources. Ideal for classroom, choral and instrumental teaching. More details and a booking form here.

BIG MOVES - UNTIL 30TH SEPTEMBER AT THE HERBERT, COVENTRY

Big Moves is an exhibition and environment designed for younger children and adults to explore and enjoy together. There are intriguing houses - every one quite different inside - and simple, but unique, objects: - a video waterfall with a beach of wooden pebbles; a web of elastic to climb through; strange video images to work out and lights that change colour when you . . . (its more fun to find out for yourself!). The Herbert (Coventry's Museum and Gallery service) has been creating exhibitions for younger children over several years, and is strongly influenced by the "Reggio Emilia" approach to creative play. This year's project has particularly focused on ways of encouraging movement and there are trained facilitators on hand at all times to support this. The exhibition continues until 30th September. Visitors are welcome to drop in at any time, but slots have been reserved for casual visits when you can be sure there won't be a booked group, and when you can join in an "adventure" if you wish: Tue, Thur & Sat 11am and Weds 1pm. For more information visit http://www.britishkodalyacademy.org/public_downloads/DurhamFlyer_Sep07.pdf, or contact the Jack Shuttleworth, Community Events & Exhibitions Officer at The Herbert on 024 7678 5168 or email Jack here

A CHILD'S EYE VIEW CONFERENCE - 3RD OCTOBER 2007, SOUTH WEST

A Child's Eye View' is a conference that aims to illuminate, celebrate and debate Early Years Arts across the South West. The conference is aimed at early years practitioners, artists and organisations involved in Early Years Arts. This event takes place on the 3rd of October, 2007 at St Cuthbert's Conference Centre, Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon. Download your booking form and schedule now! A Child's Eye View Booking Form; A Child's Eye View Conference Programme

CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS BALSOVER, ASHFIELD AND MANSFIELD - CURIOSITY, EARLY YEARS AND CREATIVE LEARNING

Creative Partnerships BAM presents a collaborative training programme for both teachers and practitioners, designed to create opportunities for embedding creative learning both in the Early Years Foundation Stage and across the curriculum. This series of creative workshops will offer strategies for extending and supplementing learning, whilst emphasising the importance of play and the power of curiosity.

Friday 5th October 2007 - Introduction to Creative Learning and the Foundation Stage: Ways of Seeing, Responding and Reflecting

Thursday October 18th 2007 - Printmaking and Early Years Practice

Wednesday 28th November 2007 - Light, Shadow, Puppetry and Literacy

Thursday January 24th - Natural Materials and the Environment

Wednesday 20th February 2008 - Making Spaces: Explore the outdoor environment

Wednesday March 19th - Papermaking and the Creative Journey

More information here: http://www.creative-partnerships.com/news/192531

GROUNDBREAKING FAMILY FRIENDLY CONFERENCE - 5th OCTOBER 2007

This conference, focusing on how local arts and cultural venues, events and artists can become more welcoming to families, will take place on 5 October at Lakeside Arts in Nottingham. Greg Dyke, former Director General of the BBC and Chairman of HIT, a production company specialising in programmes for the under fives, will be the Keynote Speaker alongside other family friendly experts and practitioners. Organised by Arts Council England and Cultivate, the conference is open to arts managers, artists, marketing professionals, education co-ordinators, arts organisations, venue programmers and anyone within the arts sector. For more information and a booking form click here

PUT PEN TO PAPER FOR THE BIG DRAW - 30th SEPT to 9TH OCTOBER 2007

The Campaign for Drawing's eighth Big Draw season kicks off on Sunday 30 September with a national launch at over twenty venues in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, East London. Then, all over the UK on the weekend of 8th and 9th October, people will be getting together to celebrate the launch of The Big Draw - a nationwide, month-long arts event aimed at encouraging people to get back to the drawing board and be more creative. Throughout October 350,000 people are expected to take part in 1,200 workshops and events taking place at more than 1,000 venues across Britain.

Altogether 11 more venues will be hosting their own Big Draw launch events, including Birmingham's Aston Hall, Manchester Art Gallery and the Arnolfini in Bristol. More information about Big Draw Events here: http://www.campaignfordrawing.org .

GROWING UP: WORKSHOPS AT TAKEOFF 2007, 10th-12th October

Do you fund, promote, present or make professional theatre and dance for young people? Join us at Takeoff 2007 to share your experience with colleagues bringing exciting work to young audiences. Children and Young people need theatre to help them understand an increasingly complicated world. This festival asks, How can we raise our game to meet that challenge? More information: http://www.ctctheatre.org.uk/takeoff/2007/takeoff2007.htm

PRIMARY DANCE AND LITERACY - 11 OCTOBER 2007

A day dedicated to learning how to lead dance and literacy sessions for Key Stages 1 and 2, at the Thriftwood School, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex. This work leads to creating group dances based on primary school stories. The day is for anyone who wants to work at providing dance in Primary Schools: practicing dance facilitators who wish to broaden their repertoire; primary school teachers who wish to provide dance to their pupils; graduate dance students who want to training in dance teaching. More information and a booking form here. Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm Led by Heather Austin. Cost:£75 ful; £67.50 friends of essexdance; £40 concessions.

FIT FOR PLAY, SCOTLAND, 11TH AND 12TH OCTOBER 2007, PERTH

Join us for this exciting and dynamic conference jointly hosted by Fields in Trust (FIT) Scotland (formerly NPFA) and Play Scotland in Perth. Conference themes cover: Moving play and the protection of green spaces up the political agenda; Health and Obesity; Encouraging greater use of our green spaces; Tackling Scotland's couch potato culture; Importance of Play; Protecting spaces for play and much more. For further information or booking form contact Sharon Forrester here or visit the Play Scotland website: http://www.playscotland.orgTel: 0131 440 9070.

JABADAO MOVEMENT GAMES AND STRUCTURES, 11TH OCTOBER 2007

A shopping bag full of play-based movement ideas for anyone working with young children. JABADAO one-day training to introduce our Developing Practice Programme in Ipswich, cost: £90 each (reductions for multiple bookings) includes lunch and refreshments.

Also - Developmental Movement Play Refresher Course on 25th - 26th October, Ipswich. Two days to revisit DMP theory and practice with Penny Greenland and experienced early years practitioners. £80. Contact Pat Pickavance by phone 0113 236 3318, email Pat here.

PLAY AND PLAYFULNESS IN EDUCATION AND THERAPY, FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER

A free one day conference at Roehampton University following on from the recent ‘Open Letter' on children's play. As well as a number of distinguished speakers, the psychologist and author Oliver James will be introducing the conference. For more details and to book a place contact Alison Moore at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , tel. 020 8392 4672

WHY DON'T YOU...? CONFERENCE - 30TH AND 31ST OCTOBER, LONDON

Online booking is now open for our next conference on 30th and 31st October which will explore the conditions, tools and strategies that support innovative approaches in education. Led by FutureLab, the full programme is mow available as well as a list of speakers and workshops is available. Further details...

UNICORN THEATRE AUTUMN LISTINGS

HOW TO BEAT A GIANT - Friday 2 November - Sunday 2 December - What would you do if a giant appeared in your room? Join us to find out if our young adventurers will win the day!

DUCK! - Friday 30 November - Sunday 27 January 2008 - A fresh, bold new take on a classic story - Packed with adventure and fun, a perfect family treat for the festive season.

HANDA'S SURPRISE - Tuesday 11 December - Sunday 30 December - Step into the studio this Christmas and be transported to another world full of the rich colours, sights and sounds of a Kenyan Village. Handa's Surprise is adapted from the book by Eileen Browne.

To book tickets for any of these shows call Box Office on 020 7645 0560. For further information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 020 7645 0545. Please see the website for times and prices http://www.unicorntheatre.com

SEVEN STORIES, THE CENTRE FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Yogabugs: Thursday 1, 8, 15, 22 November - YogaBugs is an inspiring way of bringing the benefits of yoga to young children through exciting storybook adventures. The sessions are fun and creative and capture children's imaginations and incorporate some of the books found in Seven Stories' current exhibition We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Suitable for Nursery & Reception. 11am - 12noon. Gallery visit available 12noon - 12.30pm.

Long Nose Puppets presents, Shoe Baby! : Friday 9 November - Shoe Baby is a magical puppet show, a fantastical sing-a-long adventure with a baby who takes to the sea, the air, the zoo all in a shoe! Adapted from the book by Joyce and Polly Dunbar, the music is written by talented musician, Tom Gray of the band Gomez. An award-winning show not to be missed. Suitable for nursery, reception and Year 1. Book a visit between 10am - 12 noon or 12.30 - 2.30pm. Event followed by book-signing. Shoe Baby is also on at the Round, next door to Seven Stories, on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 November at 1pm and 3pm.

To book tickets for any of the above events contact Alison Neill, Marketing and Bookings Assistant, Telephone 0845 2710777 ext 703 or Email Alison here. More information about Seven Stories can be found on their website here.

PLAYTRAIN AUTUMN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

How We Play - The Big Experiment - To best promote children and young people's right to play and to be able to provide an inspiring play environment, Playtrain are offering a big play experiment! For one week (dates below) at The Custard Factory exhibition space, creative training will be provided leading to an art installation piece including the work of adults, children and young people and culminating in a celebratory event at the end of the week. Children and young people are invited to come and play with their families (for FREE) in the space every evening (5 till 8pm).

Large Scale Mark Making - Monday 5th November, 2007 (10-4pm) at The Custard Factory, Birmingham Cost: £25 - lunch included. Ever wanted to have a large white washed room and go nuts with paints and other playful materials? Come along and see how messy we can get!

Large Scale 2D & 3D Construction - Tuesday 6th November, 2007 (10-4pm), at The Custard Factory, Birmingham Cost: £25 - lunch included. Use the space to make big things.

Little Things - Wednesday 7th November, 2007 (10-4pm), at The Custard Factory, Birmingham Cost: £25 - lunch included. Spend the day creating some ‘little things'.

Digital Landscapes - Thursday 8th November, 2007 (10am-4pm), at The Custard Factory, Birmingham Cost: £25 - lunch included. Create a visual and sound scape that gives you an opportunity to play with film, photography and mess around with sound.

What's the Story? - Friday 9th November, 2007 (10am-4pm), at The Custard Factory, Birmingham Cost: £25 - lunch included. Using the space as stimulus for an imaginary journey, join us for a day of storytelling, dance, movement and drama aimed at answering the question - what's the story. This day will also be followed by a celebratory event.

Seriously, what is it? - Monday 29th October, 2007 (6-9pm), at playtrain offices Cost: £12. A look at the terminology and the ethos behind children's participation.

Are You Really Listening? - Monday 12th November, 2007 (6-9pm), at playtrain offices Cost: £12. The role of dialogue between children and adults—how to check if you're really listening.

Inclusion - Just a Pipedream? - Monday 19th November, 2007 (6-9pm), at playtrain offices Cost: £12. A lively discussion on disability equality and inclusion from the child's perspective.

Consultation - Capturing the Magic - Monday 26th November, 2007 (6-9pm), at playtrain offices Cost: £12. Providing practical support and ideas for capturing children and young people's journeys.

For more information on any of the above courses visit the playtrain website at http://www.playtrain.org.ukor contact the playtrain team here.

ENGAGE CYMRU CONFERENCE, ENGAGING EARLY YEARS - 11TH MARCH 2008

Conference will report on the findings of recent action research projects with several local authorities across Wales, into how galleries and the visual arts can support the new Foundation Phase/Stage. Conference aimed at early years teachers, advisors, gallery staff, local authority officers and artist educators. A one day conference at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Full report on projects available for all delegates. For further details contact Angela Rogers, engage Cymru, tel: 01834 870121 or email here. Further details will appear on engage website shortly http://www.engage.org

REGIONAL (YORKSHIRE):

EARLYARTS YORKSHIRE CREATIVITY HUB - 8th NOVEMBER 2007

All arts and early years practitioners, policy makers, sure starts, local authority advisors and training providers are invited to join the Early Years and Creativity network focusing on professional development around Visioning for a creative future, covering issues on: How do we consult with children creatively in order to design our goals? How do we listen to children, enable their communication and expression, and respond creatively to different needs? The meeting is to be held at DARTS, The Point, 16 South Parade, Doncaster, DN1 2DR. To book your free place, please contact Susan Hirst telephone 01484 685869.

TELL TALE HEARTS - FROM SPACE HOPPERS TO RUMPLESTILTSKIN

Sadly the funding application to the Arts Council England, Yorkshire was unsuccessful for ‘Space Hoppers'. Therefore, in spite of the huge potential seen during the research & development phase at Silkstone Primary school, future plans for this show are on hold.

Beneath the waves however is sailing forth from 14th Sept - 3rd Nov. 2007 as part of its final voyage across the UK, please contact the company for a full tour schedule.

Rumpelstiltskin - for Key Stage 1 & 2 - is a heart warming and innovative storytelling show perfect for the Christmas period. By popular demand Rumpelstiltskin will be touring to schools and theatres from 26th November - 21st December, returning to some favourite venues such as Otley Courthouse, working with schools in N E Lincs through MAPAS and visiting new and exciting venues such as The Round, Newcastle. Contact TTH if you would like to book this show.

"We really enjoyed the diversity of the show musically. Puppets, activity, props...It was so different to anything we've seen before...Magical." - Primary School Headteacher, Kirklees

For more details Tel: 01226 761450 Mobile: 07803 724529 or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it k http://www.telltalehearts.co.uk

NEW KODALY TRAINING COURSES STARTING SEPTEMBER 2007

Two 6 day intensive courses for Music Practitioners and Primary School Teachers (one session each half term for the 07-08 academic year). Also includes remunerated placements for practitioners!! As well as helping non-specialist Primary School teachers to deliver the National Curriculum for Music using Kodály methodology, and providing sustainable skills for teachers and pupils, this course will deliver enhanced employment potential for music practitioners and includes practical music making ideas.

The Kodály method is the practice of and belief in musicianship development through singing. Much emphasis is placed on unconscious learning which is later made conscious. The Course is run by MusicLeader Yorkshire in conjunction with Judith Brindle of NOEL (Northern Orchestral Enterprises Ltd), and co-hosted by Nicky Woods, music specialist for North Yorkshire LEA, advisory teacher for the Voices Foundation and tutor for the British Kodaly academy.

Leeds courses: Monday 12th November 2007; Monday 28th January 2008; Monday 3rd March 2008; Monday 28th April 2008; Monday 16th June 2008

Grimsby courses: Monday 5th November 2007; Monday 14th January 2008; Monday 25th February 2008; Monday 21st April 2008; Monday 9th June 2008

More details, please tel 01422 321 823 or email here. Only 10 places available on each course, so book now to avoid disappointment!!!

CHILDREN'S HOUSE - SHARING LEARNING LESSONS FROM REGGIO, 11TH OCT

Sharing Learning is an Arts Council England, Yorkshire project which explores the creative learning culture of the preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Early Years leader Sylvia Archer travelled to the Italian province to see the world renowned philosophy of early education. Sylvia has brought back her learning to North East Lincolnshire and is pleased to share this in a free talk on Thursday 11 October, 6.30-7.30pm, Stallingborough Grange - supper included. Places limited so please book with Jo Robinson Tel 01472 504891 or email Jo here.

MUSICLEADER YORKSHIRE PROJECT MANAGERS FORUMS

Following the success of these events over the past two years, MLY have planned an exciting programme that will run throughout the 07 - 08 academic year. Each Project Managers' forum event takes place on a Wednesday from 2pm - 4pm, at Yorkshire Dance in Leeds. There is a chance for some networking followed by input from leading project managers and strategy makers on various aspects of music education work. For more information on dates and speakers, visit the What's On? page at http://www.musicleader.net/yorkshire

MUSIC AND THE DEAF - TRAIN WITH US!

If you've ever wanted to learn more about making music with deaf people, here's your chance. Following on from previous one-day sessions looking at making music with deaf people, Music and the Deaf, MusicLeader Yorkshire and MusicLeader North West are delighted to announce a more intensive course over the 07 - 08 academic year. The programme will consist of 4 training days, taking place over 8 months. Each session has been designed to cover in-depth ways of making music with deaf people, as well as some basic sign language skills and information on putting together music making sessions with deaf people. Each practitioner that participates in the course will undertake a placement in between each training session on a Music and the Deaf project, embedding the practical applications of their learning. More details and application form, contact 01422 321 823 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More details on Music and the Deaf here: http://www.matd.org.uk

REGGIO - MY JOURNEY

Read Madeleine Irwin's report on her study visit to Reggio Emilia in April 2007 here. Madeleine is the Creative Director of Creative Partnerships, Bradford.

REGIONAL (NORTH WEST):

EARLYARTS NORTH WEST NETWORK - 11th DECEMBER, TATE LIVERPOOL

All arts, cultural and early years professionals, policy makers, sure starts, local authority advisors and training providers are invited to join the regional Earlyarts Creativity network focusing on professional development for those addressing creative practice within the context of Every Child Matters. The December meeting will focus on Penny Lancaster's ‘Listening to Young Children' work and responding to the Tate Liverpool exhibition. Members will benefit from two fantastic case study presentations, connecting with several other professionals in early creative learning, the latest news and updates from around the region, and an afternoon of practical workshops to stimulate creative thinking and skills development. To book your place, please contact Susan Hirst telephone 01484 685869. Meetings are open to subscribed members, who are welcome to introduce non-members for one session only. More details on membership here.

ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT - CLOSING DATE FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER

Making a unique contribution to Liverpool's Year as European Capital of Culture 2008, the RLP's senior team are recruiting a new post to lead and champion the long term vision for their involvement in music, learning and social engagement. The successful applicant will be a strategic, achievement driven and creative individual who will lead the highly successful education programme and develop pioneering lifelong learning and participatory programmes in collaboration with local, regional, national and international partners. For applications details, please write to: Deborah Dunning, HR Administrator, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BP; tel: 0151 210 1946, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GREENHOUSE PROJECT, LIVERPOOL - TEMPORARY DEPUTY PLAYWORKER

A temporary Deputy Playworker is required to work in the Greenhouse Project Arts Out of School Club. The successful candidate would start immediately on Monday 8 Octoberuntil the end of December 2007, but with a view to the post continuing on through 2008.

For an application pack, please contact Leona on 0151 726 8099 or e-mail Leona here. Application Deadline: 12 Noon Monday 1 October 2007. Interviews to be held on Thursday 4 October 2007.

FOUNDATION DEGREE IN COMMUNITY ARTS

Helix, the arts employers network is hosting regional seminars in October to inform arts employers and practitioners of the new Foundation Degree in Community Arts which Aspire Trust have developed with West Cheshire College and which goes live in January 2008. Details of the seminars can be found here. The programme, validated by the University of Chester, has been designed especially for people who are employed by cultural organisations (within the voluntary, independent or educational sectors for example) or freelance creative practitioners who wish to extend their future employment or educational prospects. As well as an opportunity to get involved in the future development of the Foundation Degree and its students, we will also be letting you know how you can get involved with Helix and benefit from its relationship with the College and other individuals and companies in the region. If you have any further queries, please contact: Nick Owen at the Aspire Trust - 0151 639 9231; Yinka at MZONE - 0151 707 4550 or Tina at Music Leader North West - 0161 236 0364

BABY MOVES LAUNCH DANCE IN A BAG - 9TH OCTOBER 2007

Learn how to give your baby the best start. New and innovative movement and music workshops for parents and babies on the 9TH OCTOBER 2007, 10.45am - 11.45am at the Met Arts Centre, Market Street, Bury. This series of workshops has been designed to stimulate your baby's brain and body. Research has shown that increasing your baby's movement skills will give your baby the start in their education.

Places are limited and booking is essential. Please book by 4th October to reserve your place. Ring The Met booking office on 0161 761 2216 to book. For further information ring 0161 761 9139 or email here. Launch Day only £5. http://www.danceinabag.co.uk%20

HORSE AND BAMBOO AUTUMN SCHEDULE

In The Shadow of Trees - Sunday 7th October 2.00pm and Monday 8th October 10.30 & 1.30pm (school performances). Suitable for ages 6+, this is the compelling story of a young girl, abandoned at birth, who grows up nurtured by nature alone. Using masks, puppets and beautiful live music, this is a delightful family show. In The Shadow Of Trees won the best new play award at the 2006 Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards and was originally produced in association with The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester.

Film: Kiki's Delivery Service - Sunday, 4th November. Suitable for ages 4+. £3 - In Hayo Miyazaki's magical film a 13 year old girl meets the world head on as she spends her first year soloing as an apprentice witch. Kiki (Kirsten Dunst) is still a little green and plenty headstrong, but also resourceful, imaginative and determined. This charming animated fantasy is a wholesome, life-affirming picture.

Open Day at The Boo - Sunday, 25th November, 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm. Suitable for all ages. Free - This is a great opportunity to look behind the scenes of one of the UK's leading visual theatre companies, see the puppet masters at work, and catch a sneak preview of the masks and puppets that will be used in Horse + Bamboo's 30th anniversary production Veil.

Stories from the Lakota and Other Tribes - Sunday, 2nd December. Storytelling by Robert Greygrass, suitable for all ages. £3 - Robert Greygrass is a traditional Native American storyteller who will take you on an exciting adventure through the telling of traditional Native American stories from his Lakota and Cherokee roots. Includes powwow signing and music. Contact The Boo Box Office on 01706 220241. http://www.horseandbamboo.org

BIG DRAW 2007 - IT'S BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!

National Museums Liverpool is offering a series of free Big Draw events throughout October 2007. Pencil in the dates and get your sketch books at the ready, there's plenty to draw in the crowds and get your creative juices flowing. More information and a list of dates and venues here.

DYNAMIC NEW ANIMATION (DNA) NEWS

DNA is pleased to announce that it has received an Arts Council England, North West, grant to further develop its innovative interactive performance for early years, Ball Pond Bobby. The show will be enhanced with family education activity materials, an early years evaluation process and informed through close work with Ludus Dancer, Tids Pickard, to develop the choreography. Future dates include:

13th October, Lewisham Youth Theatre; 18th October, The Point, Eastleigh; 20th October, Half Moon, London; 24th October, Eastbourne; 27th October, Stantonbury Campus Theatre;

3rd November, Forum 28, Barrow; 4th November, Huddersfield; 10th November, Bolton Octagon; 18th November, Trinity Theatre, Kent.

‘Atishoo!' will be performed at The Lowry in December, made especially for children under 6 and uses light, shadow, paper and performer to take them on an extraordinary visual journey! Dates include: Sat. 29th December; Sunday 30th December; Saturday 5th January; Sunday 6th January; More dates to be announced!

Little Treasures - On 31st October, DNA will again be leading the very popular Little Treasures sessions at The Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston.

Imaginary Leaps - Our innovative project for early years groups will commence in October and will see three artists working closely and regularly with groups to engage them in creative play activities. The outcomes will include best practice recommendations and a presentation to the March 08 Earlyarts network meeting in Preston.

Full list of autumn tour dates here: http://www.dynamicnewanimation.co.uk/Bookings.html(click on the Google Calendar).

OLDHAM COLISEUM THEATRE - AUTUMN AND WINTER LISTINGS

The Coliseum brings top quality children's theatre to the Uppermill Civic Hall in Saddleworth. with the best family shows from around the country. Tickets for all Coliseum@ events are £6 for adults, £4 for children, from the Coliseum box office on 0161 624 2829.

When the Lights Went Out by Tara Arts on Friday 26 October. Suitable for 3 -6 year olds: On the 60th anniversary of India's independence, Tara Arts bring their captivating show of the country's greatest festival - Divali. Performers draw children into the adventures of the legendary lovers, Sita and Rama, Hanuman the wondrous monkey king, and of course the terrifying ten-headed demon Ravana. They vividly bring to life the magical world of the Circular City and the demon island of Lanka, using scarves, masks, dance and song.

The Selfish Crocodile by Faustin Charles & Mike Terry, by Blunderbus on 1 February 08. Suitable for 4 - 7 year olds. The animals in the forest are frightened of the selfish crocodile - even when he's in a good mood! But, one day, he turns out to be in a lot of pain. Oh, how he snaps, he growls and he groans. Hour after hour, long into the night. But then, a little mouse appears, and finds a clever way to solve this snappy dilemma! Told with puppetry, live music and a little bit of magic, this musical tale will live on in your heart forever.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT & STORIES TO FULFIL THE EYFS GUIDANCE - 29TH NOV.

Dance in a Bag are a team of early years movement specialists based in the North West, leading early years training, conferences and CPD. Their approach to learning is easy to use and their range of practical resources and movement techniques are used nationally within many children's settings and schools, as well as writing dance modules for Lancashire Education Authority and Practical Preschool Magazine.

This professional development training on 29TH NOVEMBER, 10.30am - 3.30m, at The Met Arts Centre, Market Street, Bury is suitable for teachers, nursery workers, play workers, child minders, advisors and other interested professionals.

This training will:

• Enhance story making skills and learn how story making linked with movement can develop children's language, literacy and communication skills.
• Discover how children can develop their own stories in their own environments.
• Learn how current research links early childhood developmental movement patterns with the development of the brain and how to put this into practice.
• Receive practical skills and tool kit resources which will help implement creative movement within your setting.
• Create simple imaginary environments which link language and movement.
• Suggest movement ideas for nursery rhymes and seasonal themes
• Creative techniques to stimulate children's kinaesthetic, visual, auditory and vestibular development.
• Certificated training.

£60 - Includes refreshments, lunch and a free tool kit to enable you to take these ideas back to your setting. Places are limited, booking is essential. For more information and to receive a booking form contact: Dance in a Bag, The Met Arts Centre, Market St, Bury, BL9 0BW. Email here Phone 0161 761 9139 http://www.danceinabag.co.uk

DNA - PUPPETEERS/PERFORMERS REQUIRED!

Dynamic New Animation (DNA) is looking for experienced, self-employed puppeteers / performers for contract work in 2008. A driving licence is essential; interviews and auditions will be held later this year. Details and information about DNA and its work here: www.dynamicnewanimation.co.uk. Please send a CV and any other relevant information to:

Sadiya Ali, Company Administrator, Dynamic New Animation (DN), The Watermark, 9-15 Ribbleton Lane, Preston, PR1 5EZ or email Sadiya Ali here.

THE ASPIRE TRUST

The Aspire Trust is the Wallasey-based Arts and Creative Industries Development Agency which has been working since 2002 in the field of creative and innovative support for schools and communities in Wallasey on the Wirral, Merseyside. There are three key strands to the business's strategic development: Research and Evaluation; Learning and CPD; Production and Event Management. Two new programmes are starting in the Autumn which focus on arts and creativity in the Early Years:

Listening to the Life Bank: an arts based research project designed to develop an arts and creativity strategy for Kensington Children's Centre (Life Bank): an intensive research project undertaken by a team of artists researchers in collaboration with the staff, parents, children and other stakeholders who participate in the services offered by Kensington Life Bank. The purpose of the research is to address the question of what might constitute an arts and creativity strategy for the Life Bank; and to identify possible mechanisms of how this strategy might be developed in the short term and sustained into the medium and long term. For more details about Aspire Trust, contact Nick Owen here.

Little Acorns Creativity Programme: a partnership programme between Liverpool Culture Company, Liverpool Children's Services Early Years Team and the Early Arts Forum. The programme will launch in October 2007 and will work with Liverpool Early Years providers; Nurseries, Children's Centres, Playgroups and Child Minders to design, develop and deliver flexible partnership programmes of creative learning activity for the foundation stages.

Nick Owen, the Trust's Director, has also recently completed some work for the next series of the BBC1 programme Child of Our Time. The episode, Killing Creativity, is broadcast on Sunday 2 September. Details here: http://www.open2.net/childofourtime/2007/creativity.html

MLA'S EARLY YEARS LEARNING LINKS PROGRAMME FOR MERSEYSIDE

The Learning Links programme is being launched in Merseyside as a partnership between the Children First Forum, Creative Partnerships Merseyside and MLA North West as part of their Cultural Entitlement programme. The aim of Learning Links is to increase the use of museums resources towards improving teaching and learning for children, as well as broadening outreach to families who may not normally access museums and galleries. The 2007/8 programme will focus on the five outcomes in Every Child Matters and will bring artists together with early years settings and museums to run a joint project. Grants of up to £3000 are available for successful projects. For details, contact Duane Chong on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Jackie Fletcher on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

ARTSEDNEWS

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