A new year is a time for reflection and new opportunities. How are you doing, can you let go of things and is your team in alignment?

It's important for your team to have a set of strong shared beliefs. A philosophy that is talked about and embodied. Our collective beliefs is what connects us.

Our philosophy states what we believe, about children learning, environments and adults. Children need authentic  hands-on experiences. Children and their families are interwoven. Our philosophy is more than words and Christmas is more than a day in the year.

A meaningful philosophy is about everything we do, and how we ARE with the children in our care. Do you feel worn out, experience high teacher turn over, chaos throughout the day? It's time to (re)visit your philosophy.

A beautiful place for adults caters for the need for the team to feel they can bring their ‘whole selves’ to work, speak up if they’re having a hard time, and have a team who cares for each other. It's also crucial to let someone know in an appropriately manner, when they are draining the team.

Humans are hard-wired for connection. Becoming parents doesn’t change that. We can support our families, and encourage them to reach out and find their own ‘team’ to do this vital ‘work’ with, and find the beauty in this sense of togetherness. 

Children have as many ‘right’ ways to be human as we do. Our role is to notice who THIS child is and what they need.

How we respond to people is based on how we view them. Diversity brings richness. The well-being of our team has a huge impact on the children in our care. Communication is a crucial part of teamwork. 

Children need to be in charge of their own play. The adult role is to be their fuel tank for connection, through rituals, care, and conversations.

Preparing our environments, what we include, and what we leave out, matters. The preparation of ourselves is just as important. Learn how to prepare in head, heart, and hand.

Children need SPACE. Physical, and space to think, to feel, to be themselves. To make their own decisions, find their way, and solve problems.

When we have a child in our midst who struggles with separation, or with the busyness or people-ness of our settings, or some other sensory element, there are two lenses we can choose, or routes we can take, and what we choose hugely impacts how we respond to that child, and what they experience.