Looking Forward in 2021
Often, January is a time for reflection and making plans. Time for Nurseries consider the coming year, setting objectives and mapping out the spring and summer terms. However, things are much different this year, making it more of a challenge to look ahead. It is difficult to predict what might be happening next month, let alone the remainder of the year. This can make it challenging for nurseries to think ahead, in a time which is still incredibly uncertain. There is no way of knowing if COVID will impact further on the Early Years sector and how. Although the current circumstances means it will be difficult to plan, it’s still important to reflect on our provision and practice and use this to feed into the coming months.
The outdoors…
For many settings, the outdoors has been a big focus since the beginning of the pandemic. With news that COVID is less likely to spread outdoors, nurseries have been spending more and more time in the fresh air. This time will have enabled us to consider our provision and how it is influencing children’s’ play and learning. The outdoors is more than taking resources from inside and putting them outside – audits and observations can help us better understand our outdoor areas and potential for play and learning.
As settings focus their attention on outdoor provision, many will likely be considering how to source funds to update and enhance this area of the setting. Grant applications are likely to increase, especially in light of the financial impact of COVID.
The connection we have developed with nature, particularly when we were only able to leave the house once a day, has enabled us to tune in to the seasons and the natural world around us. Many settings will now be building on this, looking to incorporate outdoor learning, Forest School and Mindfulness into sessions in the coming year.
Language rich environments…
A priority for the coming year is likely to be provided for language-rich environments. With many children missing time from settings due to the pandemic, our facilitation of communication and language is more important than ever. Nurseries will be reflecting on the needs of their cohort and how best to support their listening, understanding and speaking skills. Cosy corners and quiet nooks will offer spaces for children to retreat, to share a story with friends or have a chat. We will be considering how we can use stories to influence learning and development, exposing children to a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
As well as reading stories, nurseries look set to prioritise talking, encouraging children to recreate and act out stories, making up their own and utilising resources as props.
Remaining sustainable….
The issue of remaining sustainable will be at the forefront of most nursery agendas in 2021. With many suffering significant financial impacts from the pandemic, leaders, managers and committees will be looking to increase funds to keep the provision afloat.
With the outlook uncertain, it is difficult to predict how the pandemic will impact on admissions this year. What we can do, is be proactive in advertising our setting, getting the word out about how fantastic Early Years is. How this is done will vary from setting to setting, with some already making excellent use of free advertising such as social media.
One thing the pandemic has taught us is how to be more ‘tech-savvy’. Business Facebook pages are fantastic for keeping the community informed about the provision at the setting; showcasing activities, resources and the wonderful experiences on offer for children. Twitter, on the other hand, is better suited for networking with other settings, sharing ideas and brainstorming.
As we are still restricted on who can enter our provision, nurseries will be looking to utilise technology for showing around. Zoom calls or Facetime is a good way to show prospective parents around the setting. Similarly, nursery managers and leaders will be considering how to create videos to showcase provision.
Some settings may have to look at their offering and consider taking younger children or extending hours to bring in more funds. Perhaps a breakfast or after school club could be considered if demand requires it.
Investing in the workforce….
There is no denying that the Early Years workforce has enabled the country to carry on working during the pandemic. Although many settings may have suffered financially, it is vitally important that the value of CPD is not dismissed. Nurseries must prioritise staff training, continuing to develop a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, as we know this impacts on the outcomes for children. Funds may no longer stretch to certified courses at present, however, settings can consider other ways to support staff with their professional development. Creating a CPD book library can be an inexpensive way to encourage practitioners to extend their knowledge. Involve the staff by enquiring about areas of interest and looking to incorporate books which cover these areas. Although some books can be quite expensive to purchase new, it’s possible to pick some up much more reasonably priced in Facebook selling groups or on eBay.
Putting the children at the heart of our provision….
Finally, nurseries will be reflecting on their ethos and pedagogy in relation to the children in their care and the impact of the pandemic. As this has been a year unlike any other, it will be more important than ever to put the children at the centre of our provision. They must be considered in light of any policy or provision changes, understanding that what we do and how we do it always impact on the children.
We won’t immediately know what the long term impact of the pandemic is – this will take time. What we can take into account is the here and now. What children need from us this year to thrive and achieve their best.
Children will need us to be present, to listen and tune in to their interests so we can support their play and development. Partnerships with parents and carers will be vital in enabling setting and home to work together. For some settings, electronic learning journeys will be utilised to share information, communicating interests, achievements, development and play ideas. These links will enable teamwork around the child, supporting their needs and development throughout the year, and, for some, the transition to school.
Some children will have thrived during the lockdown periods – it’s important not to employ a deficit model to the experiences of all children during the time spent at home. However, we must acknowledge that for some, their experiences could have been detrimental and therefore, settings will be working hard this year to negate the effects of the pandemic. A focus is likely to be on personal, social and emotional development, especially considering that some children may have experienced social isolation. Nurseries will be looking to nurture and foster a feeling of safety, security and kindness within the environment.