Learning environments that don’t cost the earth: First steps towards sustainable learning environments
Save money and help save the planet
This short free taster course is aimed at those who want to explore alternatives to purchasing plastic resources, those who have limited budgets and those who want to gain ideas for challenging play experiences using free, collected and low cost items in their settings and classrooms.
I was inspired to create this session after seeing photos online of new settings who have invested in lots of plastic, commercially produced resources. It reminded me that over 20 years ago I co-authored a book called “A Place to Learn”, with my colleagues at Lewisham Early Years Team. This publication, about creating a stimulating learning environment went on to sell tens of thousands of copies. It featured a significant amount of plastic in the accompanying photographs. Since publication my thinking has moved on considerably! My work now focuses heavily on the challenge, joy and most importantly, the sustainability that comes from re-purposing unwanted items and using natural resources as part of a quality play-based learning space.
During this session, you will:
- Have opportunity to reflect on your own practice in terms of advocating for a healthy planet for children.
- Gain ideas for alternatives to purchasing plastic resources.
- Explore the learning that re-used, recycled, and repurposed resources can provide.
- Consider how to create low-cost learning spaces that afford a myriad of challenging play opportunities.
- Explore the links to pioneering approaches to early years education such as Reggio Emilia, Froebel and Montessori.
KEY INFORMATION
Target audience: All those working with young children from 3-7
Dates: Friday 22nd September 2023
Times: 8am – 8.30am
Ticket: Free
Recording will be made available to all who book tickets. You will also receive a certificate of participation.
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About Me
33 years ago I started work as a pre-school assistant in Norfolk and went on to teach and lead in London schools. I worked as an early years advisor for Lewisham local authority in London and went on to strategically lead the service. I now work nationally and internationally as a trainer, conference speaker and consultant.
I’ve spent the majority of my career working with leaders and managers in schools and settings, providing them with the support and challenge needed to effectively lead and sustain improvements in play-based learning.
As well as supporting at local authority and leadership level, I spend a significant proportion of my time working directly with practitioners in schools, day-care and pre-schools. This hands-on, current experience is key to ensuring that I retain a deep understanding of the reality, challenges and rewards of working with young children and their families. My work involves sharing what I have learnt about play and the difference it can make to children’s outcomes, and helping schools and settings to ensure that children are enabled to learn in as joyful, inspiring and memorable ways as possible.
In response to Covid, I created an EYS online professional learning platform called ‘The Place to Learn’. This is a subscription-based service which provides excellent value, on demand access to my entire collection of training courses for whole teams. Specific modules or whole courses are also now available to purchase separately for both individuals and teams.
To find out more please go to www.kymscottconsultancy.com or email [email protected]
