Rationale for the project
The direction of the project has been dictated by three key factors: a deep understanding of how young children learn best, developing sustainability for practice,
The Exploring the Wider World Project was funded by the Stoke-on-Trent Opportunity Area and was delivered by Early Education between April 2019 and March 2020. It offered fully funded training and support to all private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings in Stoke-on-Trent to give children wider experiences of the world around them.
The aim of the project was to enable participants to make the most of what is on their doorstep in terms of heritage, culture and community. They were offered bespoke support to enable practitioners to explore, with the children, the rich learning opportunities their locality provides. It was very grounded in the “people and communities” and “the world” elements of the “Knowledge and understanding of the world” (KUW) area of learning from the EYFS.
All participating settings received:
In the right hand menu you will find links to sections of the main project handbook for free access to enable anyone in Stoke-on-Trent or beyond share the project’s guidance, to help improve practitioners’ knowledge and confidence about taking children out and about in their local area to support their learning.
To find out about the outcomes from the project, read:
The direction of the project has been dictated by three key factors: a deep understanding of how young children learn best, developing sustainability for practice,
Rethinking our consideration of what an outing or a visit may be has been central to the project. Children need to build up their knowledge
Using the local environment enables children to develop a sense of belonging to the local community. It helps them to develop a sense of place
An early task for the Exploring the Wider World project was to identify the barriers to taking children out and about beyond the setting. Only
Risk is a natural part of our existence, as we look to explore and make sense of the world around us. What is key is
This page brings together all the key project elements of thinking through a trip or a visit in one handy place, with downloadable resources for
Meaningful learning opportunities relating to understanding the world rely on rich and stimulating resources. Consider what you have Rich and well thought out resources make
A reflection based upon rich and varied experiences of taking young children out into the Wider World by Kathryn Solly, Early Education Associate. Beginnings There
It is important to remember that the world of a 2-year-old is very different to ours. They are hugely fascinated by the things that we
By the time children get to be 3 years of age, they are, generally, better at walking and so can walk for longer periods of
Most 4-year-olds can walk faster and further than their younger counterparts. This means that they can venture further afield than the three year olds in
Walking is a great way to stay active for people for all ages. Particularly for children, walking: is fun and interesting – you get to
Using public transport can be really exciting for young children, especially for those who spend lots of time in cars, being ferried from place to
Social media is a powerful tool for sharing examples of good practice and celebrating achievements – but there potential pitfalls, particularly relating to consent. We
Since the introduction of the EYFS framework in 2008 there has been a huge emphasis upon encouraging parents to become engaged in their children’s learning.
This article by Early Education Associate Anni McTavish explores the term “cultural capital”, and what it might mean for early years practitioners and their settings.
Transition is part of the maturation process. Most children and their families find moving from one stage to the next seamless. Transitions need careful planning and will
We know young children appear to be starting settings with less developed language than in previous years due to a range of reasons. Understanding the
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