The WEYH will be continuing the Bridging Developmental Gaps theme from the summer 2024 event by presenting an autumn term conference on ‘Exploring Learning Behaviours.’ As we strengthen our grasp on the curriculum in the EYFS with all the focus on what children learn, it is increasingly clear that there is a need for a more detailed and considered understanding of how young children learn, and the adult’s role in supporting and encouraging that process. Our role in recognising and supporting a child’s learning behaviours is now more than ever of key importance as we see young children’s needs and capabilities changing. The acclaimed Early Years specialist Jan Dubiel will be helping us explore these themes through his keynote speech on the ways in which young children are responsive to learning and what the adult may need to focus upon and celebrate to encourage further. The Times Educational Supplement has cited Jan as ‘one of the most influential people in British Education’ and we are thrilled to be able to introduce him to Warwickshire! A menu of workshops will explore these concepts in greater detail and give delegates some practical ideas and strategies to take back into practice.

Keynote Speech 

Exploring Learning Behaviours in the Early Years - Jan Dubiel

As our understanding of the Curriculum in the EYFS grows and evolves, it is becoming increasingly clear that within the necessity for progression and depth is a need for understanding and supporting how learning is enabled and utilised.

The Statutory Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) provide a broad framework for shaping the ‘how’ as well as ‘what’ children learn and the way in which this nurtures their development as effective learners. Additionally the OFSTED document (‘Best Start in life part1: Setting the scene’) identifies how key elements of Cognitive development such as  Executive Function, Meta cognition, cognitive flexibility and working memory are vital in establishing effective conditions in which learners will flourish. Equally, the importance of Emotional Literacy and Wellbeing are critical prerequisites in ensuring that children are both able to understand and manage their emotions as well as develop a sense of empathy and responsibility.

In his keynote, Jan Dubiel will explore the importance that Learning Behaviours play in children’s learning, knowledge acquisition and intellectual development, and how they effect a vital role in providing both a context and purpose for the ‘what’ children learn.  Drawing on current research findings he will provide practical advice and guidance on how Learning Behaviours can be identified and supported in EYFS Provision. Critically, this is not about adding extra workload to the dimensions of EYFS practice but rather foregrounding the importance of Learning Behaviours and ‘switching the lens’ by which we observe children’s activity.

Workshops – CHOICE of 2 from the following menu:

1) Identifying and Deepening Learning Behaviours in EYFS provision – Jan Dubiel

Following on from the themes in Jan’s keynote speech, this workshop will provide an opportunity for EY practitioners to reflect on their own practice and approaches, using exemplification and discussion to further explore how Learning Behaviours can be identified, facilitated and deepened in EYFS Provision.

2) Exploring Learning Behaviours: Principles into Practice 1

Shifting the focus when Planning – Ellen Dicken (Lead Teacher Kenilworth Nursery School)

- this workshop will provide real life examples of planning Nursery experiences to support ‘learning behaviours’ through the pedagogy of play based learning. It will share possible approaches to planning formats and will outline the impact of celebrating process rather than outcome and how you may document this in your practice.

3) Exploring Learning Behaviours: Principles into Practice 2

Working Collaboratively with Parents -  a case study, Rachel Gillett (WEYH Co-Lead and Exec MNS Headteacher)

This workshop will look at how we may present ‘learning behaviours’ in a way that is accessible for the families we work with (and our staff teams). This will be translated into practice by sharing a case study of a ‘workshop for Parents approach,’ which was written by a Nursery School that has explored Learning Behaviours and their value and importance with Parents. The focus will be on the intention, implementation and impact of that work.

4) Let's Talk About Recognising the Importance of Supporting Learning Behaviours and giving examples of first-hand practise. - CANCELLED

Barbara Charles (Family Support Manager Bedworth Heath Nursery School (BHN)  & Jo Black (SEN & High Needs Support BHN) with intro by Nicci Burton (WEYH Co-Lead and Exec MNS Headteacher).

In this workshop Nicci Burton will share the values and aspirations of the unique child and the importance in ensuring a curriculum progression that deepens knowledge, skills and learning behaviours. Barbara Charles and Jo Black will give examples of how this looks in practise and ideas on how to support and identify learning behaviours.

This event is open to all Early Years Practitioners and Childminders.  Numbers for the event will be capped so please do book early, particularly if there are specific workshops you wish to attend.

We have a special Early Bird offer of two tickets for £100.00 (until 14/09/2024), the standard single ticket price is £60 per person.

We are thrilled to announce a new venue for our autumn term conference as we embark on a new partnership with Warwick Conferences, reflecting the full educational journey from our crucial work right at the beginning of it all in the Early Years and culmination in the prestigious surroundings of the University of Warwick.

Full Conference Timings:

12.15 – 12.45: Arrival, tea & coffee, signing in

12.45 – 12.55: Everyone to their seats

12.55 – 13.00: Welcome - WEYH

13.00 – 13.45: Keynote – Jan Dubiel

13.45 – 14.00: Movement time

14.00 – 14.45: Workshop 1

14.45 – 15.15: Refreshment break

15.15 – 16.00: Workshop 2

16.00 – 16.10: Movement time

16.10 – 16.30: Summary, QA, Evaluation & Conference Close

The WEYH team are available to answer any questions should you require any further information

E: admin.wey@welearn365.com T: 07795 367337.

Alternatively, you can contact the WEYH Coordinator Michelle Hutton on Hutton.m2@welearn365.com.

More about Jan Dubiel:

Jan Dubiel is a nationally and internationally recognised specialist in Early Childhood Education. He was recently identified by the Times Educational Supplement as one of the ten most influential people in British education.

Having trained as an Early Years specialist, Jan worked as a Nursery, Reception and Year 1 teacher and Senior Leader. Following roles as an Early Years Consultant and Senior Adviser, he was appointed by the then Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to lead on the management of the (Early Years) Foundation Stage Profile, and had national responsibility for its implementation and moderation, developing guidance and support materials and working at a strategic level with policy makers. Recently he was the Head of National and International Development at Early Excellence where he was responsible for developing EExBA, used by 12,000 schools as a Baseline Assessment, EExAT, a Birth to 7 tracking system and EExAQ, an international qualification for Kindergarten teachers.

He has also been Director of Early Years for AISL Harrow International schools and Bilingual Kindergartens and works as project director for hey! at Coram Hempsall’s

Jan has developed a national and international reputation as a conference speaker, consultant and trainer and he has written widely on different aspects of Early Years policy, pedagogy and practice. His first book “Effective Assessment in the EYFS” was published by SAGE in 2014.