Cathy Early Years
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cathygunning.bsky.social
Cathy Early Years
@cathygunning.bsky.social
I coach, train, support teachers & leaders. My passions include early childhood edu, inclusivity, equity, relational attuned pedagogy. I invite you to rethink, reimagine, create possibility, seek joy & hope 💡Let’s talk! https://linktr.ee/CathyEarlyYears
Sums up my edu year 24🎉:

*cultivating cultures where others can flourish without fear*

#EYFS #ECEC #flourish #thinkingenvironment

Special appreciation to everyone who’s given their best for the best for children everywhere.

Signing out until the new year 💎 #spacetoflourish
December 20, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
📢 Calling post-16 educators!

We’re working with Sheffield Hallam University to find out what continuing professional development looks like in post-16 education in England.

By completing the survey, you’ll help to shape future opportunities for the sector.

Take the survey: tinyurl.com/3r58mxp4
December 18, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Respecting #radicalrest on a Saturday morning 11 days before Christmas Day is a huge challenge, counter-cultural and massively joyful!

Here is a joyful photo of my two joy-bringing fur babies also loving radical rest 🤎🤎.

#edusky #restful #bluesky #rest #joy #earlyyearssky
December 14, 2024 at 12:00 PM
December 12, 2024 at 6:47 AM
Working with a #Rightsrespecting primary school where the leader uses both the word #play and #resistance in conversation about #EYFS - with regard to quality early childhood focused play, pedagogy and curriculum. #joy #hope #EYSky #edusky

Yes! ⭐️
December 11, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
Early Years SEND

Important change in Profile which allowing ‘child’s established or preferred mode of communication (including non-speaking communication such as signing to be used for all of the early learning goals (ELGs)’ including ‘Speaking’ ELG.
Discussion at EY SENCo Forum, 11.12.24
Early years foundation stage profile handbook
Guidance on completing the early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile assessment.
www.gov.uk
December 6, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
It's great to see a focus from govt on improving school readiness, and giving “every child, whatever their background, a fair chance to succeed”

But that rhetoric just isn't currently being met by actual policy - the huge early years expansion being rolled out excludes many low income children ⬇️
🚨The announcement of new targets to improve school readiness by the Prime Minister today is absolutely the right ambition.

However, the Government is highly unlikely to achieve this target without widening access to early education to more disadvantaged children.
December 5, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
Just been listening to @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social on @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social's Oracy Commission Podcast.
Frank is the wisest and kindest voice we have, I feel better just hearing him.
He's damn right on the importance and power of sharing stories with very young children. Listen to the ep!
December 5, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Completely agree. Early life impacts. Has to be seen holistically and as integral.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

School readiness is the fruit of good family and community support from conception. Including a strong focus on parental sensitivity and family relationships. I really hope a focus on school readiness is built on this broader understanding.
Government needs Sure Start 2.0 to hit school-readiness goals
If Labour wants to hit its target of 75 per cent of 5-year-olds being school-ready, it will need to engage heavily in early years support - just as we had before, says Anne Longfield
www.tes.com
December 6, 2024 at 9:55 AM
Magic moments (muddy boots) at a nursery school yesterday.

Do you look for the #pocketsofjoy #sparks #glimmers #microjoys #wowmoments ?

What do you see / notice / know / find out?

Stepping back to really *see* at times can be so insightful. Don’t lose the skill of observation!
🌱✨

1/4 🪡🧵
December 5, 2024 at 8:51 AM
While waiting on the platform for the Met Line I saw the *Waiting Room* sign.
Made me think about room: Making room for waiting:
Creating space!
Space to see, hear, wait, notice, listen, watch.
Reminds of of ‘watch, wait, wonder and what we might “see” when we truly look and listen.
#everything
December 4, 2024 at 10:49 PM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
Finding spaces of creative possibility! 😍
December 3, 2024 at 9:07 PM
Good news! Love the piece @keziah70.bsky.social #belonging
December 2, 2024 at 9:00 PM
Made my AI avatar with canva. Here she is:
Brave woman warrior advocating for children. Fighting for creative bold spaces; for joy and play in education / ECEC #edubluesky #earlyyearsbluesky

#spacetoflourish #play #creativepedagogies @drlisastephenson.bsky.social @leedsbeckett.bsky.social
December 2, 2024 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
It is incredible. Every second of #Wicked.. (and truth is I am probably not the only adult who loved this take on it)
November 29, 2024 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
My last webinar if 2024 is on Saturday 7th December so if you work in the Early Years and want an introduction to anti-racist practice then register us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 2, 2024 at 8:21 AM
Went to see #Wicked film p1. Was struck by the shame, guilt & judgement imposed by adults in power. Vulnerable child. Corruption, discrimination.
Such loss + trauma for a young child.
Yet how the child stayed true to herself throughout. 💚
I promise I will always advocate for these children. 1/2
December 2, 2024 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
Birth to 5 matters is such a great document and it’s wonderful to see the DFE actively sharing it and promoting its use.
This is an excellent reflection on how those in the sector can work together in the best interests of children. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The development of Birth to Five Matters guidance: reflections on the critical agency and collective advocacy of an English early childhood coalition
In 2019, the English government embarked upon revision to the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) document and to associated non-statutory guidance. At the time, concerns were raised that...
www.tandfonline.com
November 30, 2024 at 11:55 AM
The nest:
intricate, interwoven strands.
It takes time & thought to weave a nurturing space to hold & contain.
We must take time to hold, surround & love children.
Weaving understanding of unique individual contexts into creative enabling environments is my purpose.
#edusky #earlyyearssky
November 30, 2024 at 11:02 AM
I’m loving finding all you #edusky folk here. It feels liberating and life bringing:
teacher soul-filling.
🦋👋🏽👋🏿

I’m passionate about coaching to see the *whole* child, knowing ‘their’ stories, supporting brilliant pedagogy & curriculum in EYFS ECEC. Supporting creativity for flourishing & joy 💎
November 29, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
Morning
Anyone on here have experience using Makaton or BSL with a bi- lingual child?
November 27, 2024 at 8:34 AM
Reposted by Cathy Early Years
With all the #earlyyears people coming together, I want to share my favorite Global Education Review issue on "Finding Froebel: National and Cross-National Pedagogical Paths in Froebelian EC," edited by Teresa Aslanian, Lynn McNair, @sachapowell.bsky.social.
All articles are open-access!
November 23, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Looking up and beyond.
Blue skies. 🦋 #edusky #perspective #EYFS
A giant structure - blue sky beyond - a shining golden eagle in the distance.
Speaks to me metaphorically about holding #criticalhope for the next generation of leaders tomorrow in the children of today. #ECEC
November 26, 2024 at 4:17 PM