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Earlyarts E-Bulletin No 7 - Winter 2005

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Welcome to the seventh 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. The Spring e-bulletin is due in April; please forward any activities, events, or news articles about your work to the email above by  Tuesday 5th April.


Earlyarts network update:

  • Artist of the Month is Faith Bebbington, whose puppetry work inspired children and early years workers at Leigh Valley Nursery, St Helens, to create a series of puppets around the story 'Animal Boogie'. The puppets were beautifully made, with incredible attention to detail, and helped the children to grasp language and numeracy principles during their construction. More details here. If you would like to be featured as Artist or Setting of the Month, please send details to Susan Hirst at the above email address or complete the online form here.

  • Renewed Vision for earlyarts: the earlyarts web site is currently being revamped with a view to launching the new site soon. Content is being moved on to another platform which is much more flexible in the functionality and services it offers. It won't look at lot different but more options will be available such as printing out files in PDF format, voting on articles' relevance, seeing the latest news and information without having to trawl through the site, a comprehensive search engine, and the ability to email any of the documents or articles.  There will also be an area promoting news within the network and group members will be able to enter the site and post their own forthcoming events themselves.  The artists' database will be boosted in 2005 in partnership with AXIS and our regional Arts Education Agencies in order to develop the skills and partnerships needed to work with the early years. The forum has been the least successful part of the original site to date, and is planned to be redeveloped as a managed seminar and professional development area. Watch this space for news of the launch!

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    Emerging Issues and national events:

    • Choice for parents, the best start for children: a ten year strategy for childcare aims to make more coherent the initiatives developed over the last 7 years as part of the national Childcare Strategy, to re-align and increase the funding streams allocated to childcare and to meet both parents' needs for flexible, affordable childcare and children's needs for high quality provision. The government's headline objectives for the strategy are "choice, availability, quality, affordability".  The main points are:

    * Choice - Increase in paid maternity leave to 9 months from 2007 and 12 months by end of next Parliament; Right to transfer part of this to the father by end of next Parliament; Increase in the number of children's centres and the development of ‘childcare partners' for the delivery of childcare places, particularly with childminding networks.

    * Availability - New duty on local authorities by 2008 to secure (over time) enough childcare places to meet local demand; Increase in the hours of funded nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds from 12.5 for 33 weeks of the year to 15 for 38 weeks by 2010 and, eventually 20 for 38 weeks; An out of school childcare place for all 3-14 yr olds from 8-6 every weekday by 2010.

    * Quality - All full day care settings to be professionally led (graduate, level 5); Creation of a "transformation fund" of £125 million each year from 2006 to support investment by local authorities in high quality, affordable, flexible and sustainable childcare provision;Radical workforce reform;Reform of the regulation and inspection regime.

    * Affordability -Increase in limits of childcare element of Working Tax Credit to £300/week (£175 for one child) from 2005;Maximum proportion of costs that can be claimed goes up from 70% to 80% from 2006 with plans to increase this eventually.

    Further consultations and reviews include:

    * Early 2005 - DTI will publish a further paper on parental leave and work-life balance.

    * Spring 2005 - Consultation by the Children's Workforce Development Council on a reformed career and qualifications structure.

    * 2005 - DfES and Ofsted will consult on detailed proposals on a new legal framework for the regulation and inspection of early years education and childcare services.

    * 2006 - DfES will bring forward proposals for, and consult widely on a single quality framework for services with children from birth to five. It will strengthen links between Birth to Three Matters and the Foundation Stage, and incorporate elements of the national standards for daycare and childminding for under eights. The Government is keen to hear views on the 10-year strategy. They should be sent to the Treasury by 24 February 2005. Download the 10-year strategy here.

    • Arts Council England's  'Insights' conference for arts educators will be held on 8th and 9th March 2005 at Birmingham Hippodrome. Aimed at Arts Educators (artists and administrators who work within arts education, community or participatory arts) the two day conference will be a mix of workshops, speeches and discussion. Programme details and Booking forms will be available shortly, contact Hassina Khan to be sent one on hassina.khan@artscouncil.org.uk .
    • Values of Arts and Cultural Venues in Early Years - Anna Salama is co-authoring a book about young children (2 - 5) visiting cultural venues, including arts performance spaces, museums, art galleries, and zoos/farms, and is looking for case studies to include in the book. The book will be aimed at Early Years practitioners, and will emphasise that such visits are not just 'days out', but an integral part of the curriculum guidance at Foundation Stage. The book will include activities which Early Years settings can do prior and after their visits to these venues, as well as general pointers on getting the most out of the visits themselves.
      It is likely that the book will have a wide national distribution to Early Years settings. Little or no work required on your part - but all the glory of being cited in a glossy educational resource! Please contact Anna at mail@annasalaman.com if you'd like to be involved, or for further information.
    • Creativity In Action Awards seeks mentors - Creative Partnerships has recently set up a national action research scheme - Creativity Action Research Awards (CARA). The scheme will support over 100 schools working in partnership with creative individuals and organisations across England to conduct small scale action research projects exploring aspects of creativity and learning in school contexts. CAPE UK, who are co-ordinating the award scheme, are seeking to identify a team of mentors to work closely with each of the partnerships, to support them in refining both their project plans and their enquiry focus and to guide them in relation to existing research, practice and thinking which may support their enquiry. Contact Pat Cochrane on 0113 200 7035 or click here: Further info / Mentoring Desc / Application Form. Closing Date: 24th January.
    • Yorkshire Plans for an Early Years Development Plan - Arts Council England, Yorkshire has engaged early years and cultural consultancy, Isaacs Uk, to undertake research and consultation with regard to the writing of its Early Years Development Plan. Ruth Churchill, Director of Isaacs UK, said ‘We are delighted to have been awarded this contract as there is a real wealth of vision and provision within the arts and early years communities in Yorkshire.'
    • American folk/contemporary music Duo coming to UK Schools and Early Years Settings In May - Celebrate life and living through music with Mary Knysh & KJ through innovative and interactive musical programs designed to inspire young children and practitioners. Their upbeat style of facilitating shows an appreciation and respect for diverse cultural traditions while offering a unique opportunity for learning and fun. Mary and KJ work with teachers to encourage children to express themselves freely in a non-judgmental atmosphere, evoking a strong sense of common purpose within the group. From school groups to community events, workplace development sessions, personal growth conferences and special needs populations, Mary and KJ have created programs that complement specific goals for each group. More details and examples of Mary's work in schools here. Their work has been widely praised for enhancing creativity and self-expression and building communities. This translates to an increased openness to new ideas, a greater respect for individual contributions and a more cooperative atmosphere - all components of a healthier group dynamic for work, school, or any setting.
    • Mary and KJ's workshops are designed to involve elements of history, literature, folklore, and other subjects, as well as music. Their performances are built on a participatory model that gives support and encouragement to each person, regardless of skill, so they are a great addition to esteem-building and social skills programs. They play a variety of instruments including cedar flute, frame drum, steel drum, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer and autoharp and invite children to participate in the musical celebration. Children gain an appreciation for the diversity of cultures while developing confidence in their own inner gifts of rhythm and song. More details here. Both Mary & KJ have inspired schools with residency programs across Europe and the United States for several years. Mary Knysh featured as part of the Arts Council England, Yorkshire's research into ‘International Creative Practice for Early Years Settings', written by Ruth Churchill of Isaacs Uk (download here)...For Spring 2005 booking information and regarding dates and costs, contact them today at kjsmile@ptd.net.
    • Foundation Stage Profile internet survey - Teachernet (part of the DfES website) have prepared a survey for completion by Reception and Year 1 teachers, regarding the Foundation Stage Profile summary. Teachernet want to find out how teachers complete the form and whether the information contained in the summary is useful for Year 1 teachers.  For the survey and Foundation Stage Resources click here.
    • The Children, Young People and Families Workforce Development Council for England (The Children's Workforce Council) now has its own website www.cwdcouncil.org.uk, giving online information on improving outcomes for children and young people by enhancing the role of the workforce, including early years, social care, foster care and Connexions workers.
    • Children are Service Users Too: A guide for consulting children and young people was published in October 2004 by Save the Children. This 48-page practical guide offers support to all organisations looking to consult children and young people. It is particularly aimed at those applying for the Cabinet Office Charter Mark, (see www.chartermark.gov.uk) who need to consult children and young people as part of their consultation of all users of their services. Further details and order form here.
    • Ethics, social research and consulting with young children, by Patricia Alderson and Virginia Morrow, was published by Barnardo's in July 2004. (ISBN 1904659071). An update of Listening to Children  published in 1995, this book includes examples from  range of recent projects.  Obtainable from  www.barnardos.org.uk/resources or call 01268 522 872.
    • Sure Start Practitioners Conference on Tuesday 1st February 2005 at the ICC in Birmingham. Audience: Managers and practitioners in Sure Start local programmes, Early Excellence Centres, Neighbourhood Nurseries, Sure Start children's centres and colleagues in the private, voluntary and maintained early years and childcare sector. Please contact Lewis Live for more information.
    • Donate to the Starbucks Book Drive - Collections for the Starbucks Book Drive continue this month at every Starbucks branch. Starbucks funds RIF's All Books for Children programme which gives free books to pre-school children and their families and introduces them to their local library. The aim is to double last year's total of over 13,000 books. Make a donation at your local Starbucks or contact us if you or your company would like to get involved. More details here.
    • Action for Children's Arts Conference - 15 & 16 July. 2005 marks the bi-centenary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen and also the centenary of Cardiff's status as a city. To celebrate these two landmark events, ACA will be holding an exciting two day conference in Cardiff on Friday July 15 and Saturday July 16. In the tradition of their previous successful conferences, the event will include: Contributions from a range of inspirational speakers, the opportunity to see a brand new play commissioned by the Sherman Theatre and celebrating the life of Hans Christian Andersen, a wide choice of workshops and breakout sessions and the chance to visit to the new Wales Millennium Centre. For more info tel 020 8763 8066 or click here .
    • Listening to Young Children Conference - Tuesday 8 March 2005 at The Resource Centre, Holloway Rd, London. Presentations and workshops include Gillian Pugh and Penny Lancaster from the Coram Family on the Listening to Children project; Judy Miller, Childcare Consultant and Practitioner on Everyday Listening in Early Years Settings; Nicky Road, Independent Consultant & Advisor on Listening & Children's Rights; Alison Clark, Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education on Spaces to Play: Listening to Young Children about the Outdoor Environment; Mary Dickens, All Together Training and Consultancy on Listening to Young Disabled Children from Principles to Practice; and Gill Brook, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Birmingham Children's Hospital on Listening & Responding to Young Children in Acute Health Care Settings.
    • The conference is aimed at Advisors, Decision & Policy Makers, Development Workers, Early Years Lecturers, Early Years Practitioners, Head teachers, Nursing & Medical Staff Working with Children, Parents, Play workers, School Governors, Senior Managers in Health, Social Services & Education. Cost: Voluntary Sector £125, Private/Statutory Sector £150. Further Information from Jane Gebbett, Listening to Young Children Project. Tel: 020 7520 0357. E-mail: janeg@coram.org.uk. Booking Form here.
    • Transitions in the Early Years Conference on Friday 11th March at the Institute of Education, University of London. Transitions, from one environment to another, and from one stage to another, are part of all our lives. In the Early Years they are a source of both excitement and anxiety for children and their parents. This conference is for everyone whose work involves supporting young children in their transitions. Speakers include Prof. Iram Siraj-Blatchford & Dr Jeni Riley, Dr Liz Brooker, Lesley Staggs and Aline-Wendy Dunlop.
    • The workshops/presentations will provide an opportunity to choose an aspect of transitions for closer investigation. Presenters will discuss their current practical work in the field, as well as research evidence and will encourage participants to reflect on this, relevant to their own situations. The following workshops will run concurrently:

    • 1.         Managing transition: curriculum, assessment & practice: Martin Bradley, HMI

    • 2.         Transitions: The Parents' Perspective: Lucy Draper, Coram Parents Centre

    • 3.         Birth to 3 Matters to the Foundation Stage: Ann Langston, Manchester Met University

    • 4.         Best friends share crisps - Friendships to support transitions: Dorothy Faulkner, Open University

    • 5.         Jump, Fly or Fall: Supporting gifted and talented learners: Kathryn Solly, Chelsea Open Air Nursery

    • 6.         Transition for children with complex SEN: Cynd Willey, Wall Hall Nursery School

    • 7.         Supporting children's emotional development: Shelagh Alletson and Beth Harding, Camden LEA

    • 8.         Respecting children's rights in transitions: Liz Brooker, Institute of Education. Cost: £120. To book email Cpd.inset@ioe.ac.uk or tel:      020 7612 6589/91.
    • Training Of Trainers Course by the Coram Family on 13 April 2005 at Coram Family Community Campus, 49 Mecklenburgh Square, London, WC1N 2QA.  This course will be of interest to individual trainers and senior managers within the educational, health or social care sectors. The course is a one-day training of trainers course. The course is open to a maximum of 12 people per course. We envisage a high demand for places so please book early to avoid disappointment. The cost of the one-day .introduction. course is £500 per person (see below for price if invoiced). Price includes one copy of the Listening to Young Children resource, lunch and refreshments. Booking Form here.
    • New Lanark - New Inspirations National Conference - on 6th - 7th May at the New Lanark Mill Hotel, New Lanark. Speakers include Christine Pascal OBE, Bernadette Duffy, Liz Cullen, and Kathleen Marshall. Organised by Early Education, more details here.


    Regional Partners Bulletin Board:

    • The next meeting for the North West Earlyarts Champions Group is on Thursday 10th March at 11am in Manchester at Arts Council Offices (click here for a map). Membership is being opened up now to all interested parties to share their practice and gain an insight into the work of other regional organisations. Presentations on the Sure Start review, the Arts Mark for Early Years scheme and regional case studies of creative practice in early years settings will take place.
    • Every year Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company try and invite stimulating and interesting course leaders, companies and trainers to the centre, to deliver a diverse and challenging programme of workshops... and this year is no different! Courses include:

    • * Imaginary Leaps - Transformation Theatre: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th February. Rachel Riggs from Dynamic New Animation will lead a course using everyday objects & materials to create extraordinary worlds, puppets & props for performance. Starting with devising ideas from traditional folktales and creating original work using percussion, shadow projection and performers, participants will make and play. Cost £85.
    • * Stillness to Movement and Movement for Mask: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March 2005. Chris Davies examines the relationship of masked performance to music. Starting with the body as the focus for both, participants will explore ways in which music can be created to support mask performance, and also how music can be an impulse for physical work. A wide range of instruments will be provided for the course, but participants are encouraged to bring their own also. The course will be fun, relaxed and enjoyable. Cost £85.

    • * Stretching the Shadow..... Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th March 2005An object placed in a beam of light casts a shadow. If the object moves the shadow changes but what happens if the object remains stationary and the light moves? What if there are 2 lights? How will moving the screen affect the image? Over the course of this workshop Mark Whitaker examines a variety of different techniques involved in the play of light and shadow, from the traditional to the experimental. Cost £85.

    • * Masks Inside and Out..... Monday 20th to Friday 24th June 2005. This intensive week long course will cover two of the elements which make Horse + Bamboo's work so distinctive - the making and the performance of helmet masks. With Alison Duddle, participants will design and create a full helmet mask, using some of the same stimulus and limitations we use in creating masks for our touring shows. With Victoria Lee, participants will firstly explore some of the techniques and skills used in mask performance using Horse + Bamboo masks, and then by the end of the week, create a performed sequence using their own mask. Cost £220.

    • * Singing the Seasons.... Monday 1st to Friday 5th August 2005A choir singing workshop with Loz Kaye. Five days - and twelve songs, one for each month of the year. A fascinating journey through the world's traditional vocal music for seasonal festivals. The course will introduce the participants to a wide repertoire, as well as focusing on appropriate technique. You do not need to been an experienced singer, just have a sense of adventure...  Cost £200. REMEMBER BOOK MORE THAN ONE COURSE AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT OFF each!! Contact 01706 220241 or horse.bamboo@zen.co.uk to book or click here for more information.
    • Developing Language Creatively Early Education South Lakes Branch Meeting on 10th February from 7.30 - 9.00pm at Levens School, Levens, with guest Speaker Allyson Jenyon, Education Manager for Horse and Bamboo.
    • For great family friendly entertainment, ideas for day trips, activities or just an hour's fun, go to www.familyfriendly.org.uk for fully searchable listings of family friendly events in Greater Manchester. The website covers family friendly music, theatre, art and dance events as well as storytelling, workshops, festivals and exhibitions right across Greater Manchester and many of the events detailed are FREE. You can find out what's on and where, get details of how to get there and the facilities available, play games or send e-postcards to friends and family. The family friendly website is updated regularly. If you have any events that you wish to submit to the site, please contact Leah Byrne at 0161 238 4510 or email distribution2@aam.org.uk for further information.
    • The overall winner of the Guardian Public Service Awards for 2004, announced on 24 November was Blackburn with Darwen borough council's early years excellence service The judges called this project "a clear winner, demonstrating joined-up government at its best, linking 12 different agencies to improve services for children". The one-stop centres also offer outreach services to their local communities. Walls between education, health and social services have been "bulldozed". This approach pre-empted Central Government's children's centre policy by several years.  More details of Blackburn with Darwen's early years services here.

    Early arts e-bulletin is prepared by Ruth Churchill Dower, Director, Isaacs UK on behalf of the north west earlyarts network. For further information, please contact Ruth on 01484 688407.


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