You provide the location...
We'll bring the inspiration!
An in-house training session is a great way to get your whole team or organisation on the same page.
Inspired EC was established in 2008 and now works with services all throughout Australia and internationally. While our passion lies in nature based education and the importance of play in high quality environments, what really sets us apart is our approach to working with early childhood professionals.
When you have selected a topic or topics that interest you and your team, click the 'Get a Quote Now' button or send us an email. Our training manager, Keilla, will review your email and arrange a detailed quote inclusive of travel (based out of Newcastle, NSW).
We will be in contact with you throughout this process to ensure that the session is customised to best suit the needs of your team or organisation.
You select a topic from our extensive topic list* and we will work with you to secure a date and time with one of our amazing trainers!
* Please note that we are able to customise sessions on other topics, however an additional cost may be involved.
What Topics are Available?
1
Connection, Collaboration and Communication: The Educational Leader Role in a Team Context
The role of the educational leader is vital in the culture of a service, and it isn't just the educational leader's responsibility. This session is designed for teams, supporting all team members to understand their role in relation to the educational leaders role. Often we hear of a lack of understanding about the EL role: Why are they checking my programming? What are they doing with their time 'off the floor'?
This session will shine a light on the importance of the role and support the team to develop a clear vision for how it will be implemented within their service in authentic, meaningful ways. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for effective communication and collaboration and perhaps a new found appreciation for the role.
2
Understanding Personalities: Adults
We are all different. We have had different life experiences that shape who we are. We have different preferences and different ways of learning and being in the world. These differences should be celebrated, but if we are not first able to identify these differences, the celebrating is challenging.
In 2013 we were introduced to the concept of personality types as espoused by Florence Littauer. This changed the way we worked as a team. In this session, we want to share exactly how it changed!
We will explore the four key personality types, look at the concept of introverts, extroverts and ambiverts and the impact that these differences can have on the way we work, both as individuals and as part of a team. During the session, participants will complete a profile quiz to discover their personality type and be given actionable strategies for successful communication, connection and practice, based on their personality type. This is a brilliant session for learning more about yourself, your team and also - as an added bonus - how this understanding can support you to build more meaningful relationships with families in your service.
3
Effective Supervision
There's a saying about having or needing eyes in the back of your head. The implication being that to keep children 'safe' or 'out of mischief' we need to have our eyes on them at all times. While supervision is a must for early education and care services, it is crucial that we look beyond the ability to see everyone at the same time! Effective supervision ensures that children are not in danger while encouraging opportunities for risk taking, exploration and connection.
During the session, we will discuss regulatory requirements, what effective and ineffective supervision looks like, the impact of the physical environment and the importance of interaction and involvement. We will also troubleshoot the specific challenges of the service - supporting you to implement strategies that enhance supervision, while also respecting children's right to privacy and their right to engage in somewhat risky or challenging play. Attendees will leave feeling more confident in their role in keeping children safe in the service.
4
Sustainability: More than a worm farm
Unless we are willing to encourage our children to reconnect with and appreciate the natural world, we can't expect them to help protect and care for it. - David Suzuki.
At the heart of sustainability lies connection. While worm farms, recycling and vegetable gardens are positive steps, they are but a small aspect of raising awareness of sustainability with young children. Throughout this session, participants are encouraged to consider the role of a connection to nature in embedded sustainable practice. While looking at practical ways for services to be more sustainable, we will share the importance of the early years for developing lifelong capacity as global citizens. Element 3.2.3 of the National Quality Standard says 'the service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible.' This session will motivate educators to do precisely that, in a way that is authentic and meaningful for their unique context and community.
5
Build your Bush Skills
Are you spending time in nature with children? Want to further develop your own skills to support the play and learning of the children? We are delighted to introduce a new, hands-on session for educators.
Attendees will have the opportunity to venture into the bush and learn some key skills that they can use in their nature pedagogy, including:
- Rope/Knot Tying
- Whittling
- Fire Safety
- Bush First Aid and Safety Tips.
Throughout the session we will talk about the underlying approach to working with children in natural, wild spaces. The relaxed, hands-on nature of the session lends itself to deep conversation and reflective thinking. Each attendee will receive a kit to support them to take their new found skills back to their service.
6
What's so special about the outdoors?
Have you ever watched a child running, rolling, digging and climbing? Perhaps you smile, remembering with nostalgia your own experiences as a child, outdoors. Perhaps you worry that danger my strike, or that the space is too risky? Perhaps you feel challenged to explain how this free, exploratory play in outdoor environments support children's learning and development?
This session will tap into all of those feelings, as we explore the importance of childhood memory development, as well as the importance of outdoor play. Through group discussions and practical stories and examples, attendees will unpack the challenges of outdoor play, the value of long periods of time outdoors and the practicalities for engaging with children in outdoor environments in meaningful ways.
7
Exploring Art through Nature
Have you ever looked at a leaf and wondered 'what would you call that shade of green'? Perhaps you are inspired by the shapes of the petals in various flowers or the patterns on bark. Nature provides a world of opportunities for children (and adults) to explore in creative ways.
In this practical, hands on session we will explore concepts and experiences such as: transient art, mandala making, weaving, creating natural paints and dyes, natural brushes and collage materials and so much more. Come prepared to create!
8
Dirt Between Their Toes: Planning, observing and documenting outdoor play with infants
Leaves crunch under crawling knees while a passing bird captures the attention of an infant sprawled on a rug. Sand passes through the fingers and a little one squeals as an educator rolls a large ball across the grass. Sounds idyllic right? Being outdoors with infants should be idyllic. It should be a rich, engaging and sensorial experience. In this session, participants will deepen their understanding of the developmental benefits (including physical development, emotional wellbeing and sensory integration) for babies, of outdoor play in inspiring environments.
We will explore the key elements to programming for babies, from planning to observing and documentation. This engaging session will empower educators to provide environments where infants thrive; to deepen their connection with the children in their care; and to find joy in the magical moments of outdoor play with infants.
9
Loving Loose Parts
The opportunities that arise during loose parts play are endless. And yet, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to begin and there may be endless questions: Where do I source materials? How do I keep children safe? How do I explain to parents why children are playing with a bunch of ropes, tyres and wood? Where do I store it all?
This session answers all of those questions, and others you might not even know you have! Unpacking the history of Loose Parts Play (including the theory of loose parts and the concept of adventure playgrounds) and using practical examples, educators will build their confidence in introducing, supporting and extending this type of play within their setting.
