Earlyarts E-Bulletin No 4 - Spring 2004

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Welcome to the fourth e-bulletin from the earlyarts network in the North West of England. Please feel free to circulate to any interested colleagues.  Feel free to use this e-bulletin to promote your work and request artists / advice / support from other readers across the region.

All email addresses are hidden to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act, however, members are free to reveal their email addresses to the group within the body of their information if they wish to do so.

Earlyarts network update

The earlyarts Web Site is about to be launched with over 1000 links to resources and information for use by the sector - http://www.earlyarts.org.uk/ . As well as being a one-stop-information-shop, the Discussion Forum is currently debating the whole area of child protection policies. Read it and add your thoughts, views and experiences here: www.earlyarts.org.uk/resources/forum/www/forums/ .

The Artists database is also up and running, now containing artists' profiles which feature the methodologies and practices used in their work with children and teachers / practitioners. If any of your artists would like to apply to be on the database, download the application form here: http://www.earlyartsdb.org.uk/join.asp or contact Mark Smith at Visual Associations on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 0870 443 0701.

Artists and Setting of the Month is St Helens Early Years unit with their Seasonal Creativity Exhibition. Click here for details: http://www.earlyarts.org.uk/practice/?sec=13 . Submit your own projects for publication on the site here: www.earlyarts.org.uk/submit/?sec=38

NEW on the site this month is a database of off-line (i.e. non electronic) publications. Under the resources section are details of relevant publications researched and where to buy them if interested. http://www.earlyarts.org.uk/resources/?sec=22 .

Emerging Issues and national events

Department For Education & Skills Reorganisation

Following the appointment in June 2003 of a Minister for Children, changes have now been made to the structure of the DfES to enable it to meet the challenge for delivering children's services laid out in the Green Paper Every Child Matters . A new Children, Young People and Families Directorate will take effect from 1 st December 2003. Tom Jeffery has been appointed as the new Director General for Children and Families at the DfES. He will be supported by four Directorates:

• Sure Start Unit ( links with both DfES and DWP) headed by Naomi Eisenstadt,
• Safeguarding Children and Supporting Families, headed by Althea Efunshile
• Children and Young People headed by Anne Weinstock, and covering the CYPU, the Children's Fund and the Teenage Pregnancy Unit,
• Workforce and Common Assessments -a Director will be appointed shortly

The structure of the new Directorate is here: www.dfes.gov.uk/insidedfes/whoswho/childfam.shtml

"Investors in Children" is an initiative designed to help early years providers find the best Quality Assurance schemes in the early years and childcare sectors. Because providers can currently choose from over sixty such schemes, the Sure Start Unit is using the IiC initiative to endorse schemes that meet rigorous standards. In June 2003 a panel of experts was convened to assess the first tranch of applications, which were assessed against ten rigorous criteria. A list of the first schemes endorsed was published in Nov 2003 and can be found here

Birth To Three Training Programme

A national training programme to support the Government's framework on working with children from birth to three was announced at the Early Childhood Forum conference 'Working Together for Children from Birth to Three' on 13 November 2003. The training programme, which will be delivered by the Birth to Three Matters Training project team at Manchester Metropolitan University and supported by the Early Childhood Unit at the National Children's Bureau, will help practitioners in early years settings to deliver Birth to Three Matters , a framework for supporting children in their earliest years, which was published by the Sure Start Unit in November 2002. Read the NCB Press Release on: http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/pressrelease.asp?id=181

 

Guidance is being sent to all primary school teachers and head teachers in England on the role that children's talk can play in learning and raising standards in classrooms across the country. Speaking, Listening, Learning: working with children in Key Stages 1 and 2 is the result of a two year partnership between QCA and the Primary National Strategy. The materials comprise:

• A set of objectives for speaking and listening in Years 1-6
• Examples of teaching sequences for the objectives
• A video about the teaching of speaking and listening linked to some of the sequences
• A handbook with advice on the principles behind the materials and on assessment
• Leaflets on speaking, listening, group discussion and interaction, and drama
  A poster focussing on progression across Years 1-6

For further details visit: http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary/about/speaking_listening/?version=1

Individual Children, Group Goals - the Early Childhood Forum Conference be held on 8th & 9th July 2004 at the Nottingham Early Years Conference centre.

This conference is hosted by NES Arnold, the Early Childhood Unit (ECU) of the National Children's Bureau and the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE). This year's themes are centred around the individuality of the child, with an emphasis on the following subjects:

• Working with very young children with special educational needs and disabilities;
• Working with children aged birth to three;
• Factors which affect children's behaviour.

Book before the 31st March and get a discounted place of £250 +VAT. For more details see: http://www.earlychildhood.org.uk/events/event.asp?id=52&Subject=1

The 4 Nations Child Policy Network website contains information on the latest policy developments relating to children and young people in each of the four nations and across the UK. See http://www.childpolicy.org.uk/enghome/index.cfm

'Walking with Artists' - In partnership with the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA), a series of half-day seminars in various locations focussing on effective planning and communication between teachers and artists to ensure that they and their pupils get MAXIMUM benefits when artists visit schools or pupils visit 'arts'. Sponsored by Arts & Business. Full details/application available soon: http://www.teachers.org.uk/topichome.php?id=150

Using innovative visual theatre techniques and delightful puppetry, Dynamic New Animation (DNA) lead young children through imaginative landscapes and stories using light and shadow, paper and performer. With a composed soundscape and projected imagery, this performance is certain to engage and stimulate young minds and hearts.

artsdepot in Barnet have an exciting range of live theatre productions for young children lined up including: Upstairs in the Sky by Quicksilver theatre on

Sunday 14 March at 3pm for 3 - 5 year olds (see http://www.quicksilvertheatre.org/ ); and Ba Moo Yellow Dog on Sunday 21 March at 3pm for 2 - 5 year olds. Contact them on 020 8449 0048 or at http://www.artsdepot.co.uk/ to find out more and book tickets.

National Play Review
In June 2001 the Government earmarked £200 million of New Opportunities Fund money for new and improved children's play facilities. An 8-month review has been taking place by the Dept for Culture Media and Sport, looking at the needs of children and young people from 0-16 years, and drawing up a national strategy. The report, Getting serious about play: a review of children's play , was published by the DCMS on 21 January 2004. Among other points, the report states that:

The NOF funding programme should improve and create thousands of spaces where children and young people can play freely and in safety. The bulk of the NOF funding should support exemplary projects and promote best practice. The main emphasis should be on projects with medium or small-sized catchment areas, and access should be free. A major emphasis should be on the inclusion of disabled children and young people. The report, (co-authored by Tim Gill, Director of the Children's Play Council), may be downloaded from here

The Coram Family Listening to Young Children - Open Access Training Courses will run on 6, 14 and 27 APRIL. The course aims to support practitioners improve their listening competencies and provide opportunities for children under eight to participate in the planning, delivery and evaluation of policies and services relevant to them. The training is based on the Listening to Young Children resource, which was developed with the support of more than 450 children in over 30 educational, social care and health settings. It focuses on the visual arts to enable young children under the age of eight to express their views, feelings and concerns about matters that affect their lives. Contact Jane Gebbett Project Administrator, on 020 7520 0357 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please note the Coram Family has a new web site: http://www.coram.org.uk/

One Hundred Languages Of Children -
the inspiring exhibition celebrating the creative potential of young children from Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy is touring the UK during 2004. The exhibition comes to Manchester, Urbis, from the 7th April to 4th May . Enquiries: 0161 605 8200; Groups: 0161 605 8205 - don't miss this opportunity!

Insights
- Arts Council England's national conference on arts education will be held on 22nd & 23rd March 2004 , Nottingham Playhouse & College Street Centre, Nottingham. Insights is a two-day national conference on arts education and learning. It is an amalgamation of last year's insights and Widening Horizons conferences. This is for you if you:

• work in an arts education agency
• work in a participatory arts organisation
• work in an arts education organisation
• deliver or manage education in an arts organisation

For further information, or to receive a booking form telephone Hassina Khan on 020 7973 6551 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Curriculum Online Roadshow
comes to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on Thursday 1st April 10.15am- 4.10pm. Curriculum Online is a searchable catalogue of multimedia resources for schools and is central to the government's drive to transform learning by improving access to ICT and multimedia resources ( http://www.curriculumonline.gov.uk/ )  The roadshow will explore:

• how to reach the widest possible audience for on-line teaching materials
• what schools want from on-line materials
• current developments in E-learning
• case studies from cultural organisations
• how to use the 'tagging tools' to promote your multimedia resources

For a booking form, to reserve your free place with lunch, please telephone Sharon Shephard on 01924 486259 or Joan Brown on 01924 486204 (Arts Council England, Yorkshire).

LEAParts seminar - Sharing the Wealth - Training the Artist to Work in Schools is on Friday 2 April 2004 at the Royal Festival Hall, London. LEAParts events are open to all artists, educators, policy-makers and managers with an interest in arts in education. This seminar is aimed at the artist, whether from a large arts organisation or an individual, who is, or intends to, deliver arts projects in schools.

The overall approach to the training of artists to work in schools using two examples: a two-year action research project undertaken by LIFT Learning and Animarts and a dance-in-education programme that can be used by the non-dance specialist schoolteacher. There will be two keynotes presentations about the research project followed by a group task facilitated by members of the LIFT Learning and Animarts Action Research Team. This will be followed by a case study on the dance-in-education programme. Places are free to those whose work base is in London. Because the London boroughs subscribe to LEAParts, those outside the London boroughs will be charged £50 to attend. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details or online booking here: http://www.leaparts.info/news/leap/diary.htm .

Regional Partners Bulletin Board:

Creating Together
- an environment for 2-5 year olds and their carers. 22nd March 2004 1.00 - 3.00 p.m. Wheatsheaf Library Baillie Street Rochdale. Throughout the month of March, children and early years practitioners will be exploring an environment created by arts practitioners and students in the Community Room of the Wheatsheaf Library.

This event has been developed by a partnership of Sure Start, M6 Theatre Company, Artists in Schools and the Library Service of Rochdale M.B.C. It is the culmination of a 2 year Sure Start project that involved 10 artists' residencies in early years settings. Each residency started with a performance of Storytree - an M6 theatre production for the under-fives. Children, artists and early years practitioners then worked together to respond to the images, sounds and themes of that performance through dance, music, den-building and mark-making.

The artists involved in these residencies have now developed an environment of sounds, shadows, mirrors and dens that reflects the Storytree themes. Visiting children will either watch a performance of Storytree or listen to stories read by a children's librarian before following a trail to the environment. Once there, they will be able to make their own explorations or choose to work alongside an artist.

On the 22nd March, the environment is open to artists, early years practitioners, educationalists - anyone with an interest in young children's experience of the arts. A performance of Storytree will be followed by a visit to the environment and an open discussion with all the project partners and one of the participating artists. If you would like to attend, please contact Rosie Marcus at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manchester Art Gallery Project
(In collaboration with the Early Years and Childhood Studies Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University). The project seeks to explore the various means by which the distinctive teaching and learning experiences afforded by museums and galleries might contribute to the education of children in the early years (Foundation Stage) and enhance their creative development. It will contribute to the professional development of teachers, trainers, early years practitioners and gallery staff. The project is working with Manchester EYDCP / Sure Start to identify three early years settings, who would be interested in collaborating with us on this multi-agency project.

The project will examine how young children, guided by early years practitioners / teachers or working independently, are able to use a variety of interpretative activities to assist them in engaging more completely with original works of art and artefacts in a museum or gallery setting. From the analysis of outcomes, a core session will be created for sustainable use with the Foundation Stage age group, offered within the Manchester Art Gallery's educational programme. A further training module will be developed primarily for use within ITT, Early Childhood Studies, with early years practitioners, parents, childcare workers and museum/gallery educators, to extend their understanding and confidence across aspects of creative work in a variety of early years settings and also with teachers with curriculum responsibilities for the creative arts in the primary school. Further details from Rachel Holmes : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

UK - Ghana cultural exchange programme - Drum, dance & vocal training in Ghana!

Southerton Music has established a UK - Ghana exchange programme with Twerammpon Traditionals an internationally renowned professional/community performing group. We are inviting people to undertake

intensive training in Cape Coast, Ghana with Odonmankoma Kyerema Kwamena Pra (Grandmaster Drummer). There are short courses starting throughout the year, for both beginners and advanced participants - with very reasonable fees. This opportunity offers practitioners a time to learn new workshop ideas, modern & traditional Ghanian dances - with drums and vocals. It really is an experience of a lifetime to train and practice first hand with Twerrampon Traditionals.

Workshop residencies / performance tour in UK
We would also like to hear from arts and community organisations who would like to host some workshops and performances with Odonmankoma Kyerema Kwamena Pra the leader of Twerrampon Traditionals in the autumn 2004. For detailed information please contact UK CO-ORDINATOR Tom Southerton, Southerton Music, 22 Knowl Syke St, Wardle, Rochdale, OL12 9PG, UK. Mob : 07905 076381.

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Web: http://www.agoro.dk/

The Dreamboat
by Headway Theatre Co. Blyth, Northumberland.
Headway theatre Co, who co-ordinate and run projects at the Blyth Sure Start 'Centre of Curiosity and Imagination,' are currently creating a project with and for children in primary school reception and nursery classes. Using the theme of the sea and all things watery, this project will use story telling, puppets and drama to explore the idea of entering other worlds.  Dreamboat will take children on a creative and explorative journey encouraging them to develop their own narratives.

Over a short period, artists from Headway Theatre Co, will visit children in local primary schools, where we will be developing the responses of the children to various stimuli so that the ideas they have during one visit, appear in the next. The company will then take all their findings away, work with the children's ideas and then spend time devising a short theatre piece that will tour primary schools and Sure Start facilities throughout the region.

Allie Walton, projects manager for Headway Theatre, said; 'it's a fab project. We are really looking forward to seeing what the children come up with.'

Dynamic New Animation
have the world premiere of their new show ‘ Atishoo! ' for the very young (2 - 5 year olds) coming up at the lyric theatre, Hammersmith on April 24 th . Following this, they will be touring the country including April 10th Worden Arts Centre, Leyland; April 17th Octagon Theatre Bolton; April 28th Thornton Little Theatre, Thornton-Cleveleys; April 29th Gateway Theatre, Chester. More information here: http://www.dynamicnewanimation.co.uk/

Using innovative visual theatre techniques and delightful puppetry, Dynamic New Animation (DNA) lead young children through imaginative landscapes and stories using light and shadow, paper and performer. With a composed soundscape and projected imagery, this performance is certain to engage and stimulate young minds and hearts.

Early arts e-bulletin is prepared by Ruth Churchill Dower, earlyarts network director. For further information or enquiries, please contact Ruth on 01484 688407

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