Education

In January, I went to visit Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre (GNSFC) and whilst there, I spent some time in the Willow room – an area to support children who have additional needs. Whilst there, I was invited to observe a ‘SENsory play’ session in the family centre, seeing how the family centre operated and worked in connection with the Nursery. I also observed how the educators embrace and celebrate children’s cultures through everyday practice.

During my time on both sites at Guildford Nursery School in the Spring term, I noticed much more play amongst the children. They demonstrated a sense of being settled in and comfortable in their environment compared to when I observed in Autumn. The children’s interactions with the environment and their peers felt deeper and they were comfortable bringing a sense of themselves to the settings.

The Blocks and Block area is a staple in many nurseries and settings, it’s an area that provides a myriad of learning opportunities for children and a space to observe children’s ideas come to life. At Guildford Nursery School (GNS) there is a large space dedicated to the blocks to provide children the space and time to explore and build with them.

Guildford Nursery School (GNS) is a Froebelian inspired setting, and takes on the Froebelian principles and approach in practice. This includes developing Froebelian Occupations and the meaning behind these open-ended educational activities that deepen children’s experience of the world.

As with all 2- and 3-year olds, conflicts and disagreements happen. How educators and those who spend time with children resolve these conflicts and disagreements can help shape children’s confidence, understanding of fairness, and meet children’s feeling of justice within the classroom context.

At Guildford Nursery School (GNS) there is an underpinning of values reflecting sustainability and care for the environment which is seen through their food and herb growing spaces in the garden as well as the choices they are making with resources.

During her visit to Guildford Nursery School (GNS), Froebelian expert Rachna Joshi, was given the time to sit and observe the children and the educators in the setting. Various themes arose from her observations, but what she found was that she kept noticing children engaging in schematic play.

Visiting Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre (GNSFC) in September, Froebelian expert Rachna Joshi, was inspired by the practice, physical space as well as many of the routines and transitions that were already so embedded early in the year.

Read what Rachna Joshi, Froebelian expert, has to say about Guildford Nursery School. The following is the first of her monthly blogs about aspects of Froebelian pedagogy at Guildford Nursery School.

The reflections of an ‘old to’ Early Years educator guiding a ‘new to’ Early Years educator in developing the occupation of cooking

Cooking with young children.

This year, our research with the Froebel Partnership focuses on Gifts and Occupations, and their value in the present day. At Seven Stars Kindergarten, we strive to provide more child-initiated play opportunities, but realise it is also important to have an element of intentional teaching. We recognise that the importance of the process of learning

Our collective professional development at Feltonfleet Pre-Prep has been inspired since we were introduced to the modern-day influences of the educator and founder of the first Kindergarten, Friedrich Froebel.  Our journey began when Sally Cave, Headteacher of Guildford Nursery School, showed me the Froebel principles in action at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre. Sally

Glossary Te Kura ō Mangaweka-Mangaweka – our school Kura – school Kaiako – teacher Ākonga – students Ngāhere – forest/bush Whānau – family, can also refer to a group of people who feel a strong sense of connection to each other. In this instance the “kura whānau” refers to everyone who connects to the school, from the children and teachers to

When adults get it right outdoors, children truly benefit. Spending time outdoors allows children to enjoy nature but, if we want them to engage with and in nature we need to think about the adult role.  “What better way to engage with the wonder of nature than in close relationship with someone else, who shares

An exploration of Froebelian principles in the natural outdoor environment. All schools and settings have lived through some very challenging times in the last couple of years due to the Covid pandemic.  We at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre do however feel quite fortunate despite these difficult times.  Fortunate because our work is guided

The Froebel Partnership officially started as a Froebel Trust Hub and Spoke on 1st September 2021 with an official launch on 22nd October.  The Froebel Partnership is an international partnership between Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre led by Sally Cave, the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) /Birmingham City University led by Chris

The journey from an overgrown piece of land to a community garden As part of our ongoing project to involve the wider community, we decided to turn the overgrown green space at the front of our Hazel Avenue site into a community garden.  Our aim was to provide a place for the children to play