Reflection with Guidance: a Froebelian tool for practice development and transformation
Meeting of the Froebel Partnership research team, Feb ‘23. From the left: Sally Cave, Amber, Leanne and Chantal (teachers and educators at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre), Sue Bennett (CREC), Prof. Tina Bruce (Froebelian educator), Prof. Chris Pascal (CREC), Angharad (Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre), Dr Helen Lyndon (CREC).
Froebel Partnership has launched a practitioner-led professional development programme designed to critically reflect upon practice.
First published in Nursery World | Tuesday, March 12, 2024
The tool consists of observational material and documented practice in the form of videos, photos and narratives, taken at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre in Surrey and Seven Stars Kindergarten in New Zealand.
It was developed over a three-year period following the success of a Froebel Trust-funded project exploring the relevance of Froebel's Philosophy to contemporary life.
Chris Pascal said “The programme allows practitioners to generate their own ideas in a framed and supported way. It’s a tool for practitioners and researchers to use to analyse and reflect upon their practice and how effectively it supports children and practitioners' flourishing and wellbeing.”
Sally Cave, headteacher at Guildford Nursery School and Partnership lead, said, ‘Feedback [from an initial trial at Guildford Nursery School, Seven Stars Kindergarten and CREC] has been extremely positive. We believe this tool has the capacity to transform and deepen reflective analysis of both research and practice – Froebelian or non-Froebelian.
‘Froebel’s principles are relevant for all settings: they are about best practice; skilful practitioners and working with families.’
The Partnership are now looking to pilot the tool over the next six months with six diverse early years settings who can commit to documenting evidence.
Interested settings and schools should email Guildford Nursery School (pa@guildfordnscc.surrey.sch.uk) with expressions of interest.
The full rollout is planned for October 2024.