Reflections: Children At The Heart Early Years Conference

A collage of three photos taken at the Children At The Heart Early Years Conference, Fri 8 & Sat 9 March 2024

Reflections by Alison Hanson, Warwickshire-based Childminder

*The following guest post represents the author’s personal view and does not necessarily represent the view of the Birmingham Early Years Networks (BEYN) as a whole. Any issues or questions arising from the content of this post should, therefore, be directed to the author and not BEYN.

Interested in writing a guest post for the BEYN blog? Visit the Write for Us page for more info.

HEART Midlands Stronger Practice Hub certainly lived up to their name this month, curating their first two-day Early Years Conference with a heart-warming atmosphere of practitioner solidarity and support. I was lucky enough to attend the conference on Saturday 9th March for an itinerary specially composed with childminders in mind.

Applause here.

And not only was this conference inclusive and accessible to those early years practitioners who find it hardest to access opportunities for networking; but it was also grounded in promoting the well-being of our workforce.

More applause here.

That is not to negate the “meaty” content from speakers representing Ofsted, Makaton, Nasen and Attention Autism. Each talk offered food for thought, welcomed perspectives and inspiration for (to coin Lyndsay Barlow’s phrase), “Irresistible opportunities to learn.”

Photo of conference attendees taking part in an interactive portion of one of the talks during the Children At The Heart Early Years Conference, Fri 8 March 2024

For me however, there was one clear thread throughout every presentation… YOU!

YOU, the practitioner, are the most valuable resource in delivering the best outcomes for children.

Whether it’s the YOU that brings the energy as you announce Bucket Time; the YOU that affords children patience and loving connection as you sign that beloved Makaton rhyme; the YOU that is present of mind to deliver those high-quality interactions as advocated by Ofsted; or the YOU that diligently gave up your Saturday to attend a conference in search of new training opportunities and knowledge.

It’s YOU that makes the crucial difference, and with that comes some responsibility. The responsibility to look after ourselves. Furthermore, our industry decision-makers and leaders also share that responsibility to ensure that ‘looking after ourselves’ remains in its rightful prominent place on the wider agenda.

This notion was so adeptly summarised by the wonderful Hannah Knowles from Art Of Brilliance in the final presentation of the day. Hannah gave us a fun and engaging reminder that prioritising our own wellbeing in the here-and-now is no side-agenda, “… because your kids deserve the best version of YOU!”

Hannah Knowles from The Art of Brilliance delivering her presentation at the Children At The Heart Early Years Conference, Sat 9 March 2024.

And with that, I promptly took the permission on board and spent a glorious final hour enjoying the most intensely relaxing experience I have ever had! Thank you to Jenny Ainsworth, from a new convert to the power of Sound Baths!

So, what did I take away from this much-appreciated event?

Amongst the many welcome freebies (including a much-anticipated Bucket that has so simply elevated my current circle time routine), there were some affirmations, some decisions, and some questions.

Affirmation

Makaton workshop at the Children At The Heart Early Years Conference, March 2024

Makaton is awesome! It’s something that I have utilised throughout my career; however, I look forward to Makaton and HEART teaming up to offer some near-future training.

Also, I know I’m not alone in sending my huge appreciation to Nasen for their delivery of The Golden Key for Childminders’ training, accessible for free thanks to their teamwork with HEART.

Such opportunities are so welcomed as we all strive towards shaping neuro-affirming practice within the important ongoing conversations of inclusion and anti-neuro-bias.

Decision

I promise to make more tangible steps towards ensuring that I’m meeting my own basic needs with regards to personal wellbeing.

Mindfulness workshop at the Children At The Heart Early Years Conference, March 2024

We can’t pour from an empty cup, and although we can’t control the trials that may come our way, we can control how full our cup is to deal with each day as it comes. It’s not necessarily about working less hard, it’s about working more consciously.

For early years practitioners and/or leaders on a similar journey towards prioritising a culture of wellbeing and mental health awareness, don’t forget to visit the DfE’s ‘Early Years Practitioner Wellbeing Support’ webpage, where you can find links to toolkits, helplines, case studies and further information.

Question

When will Midlands-based childminders get to be in a face-to-face space again!? I know the leaders of our Stronger Practice Hub would do it all again in a HEART-beat (pun intended), but the future is uncertain.

Networking is not a luxury. We must have real opportunities to share practice, support each other, feel seen/heard, be inspired and informed by research-based practice… and therefore keep standards high across the sector. Keeping standards high for the children at the HEART.

Final applause for our Stronger Practice Hub leaders.

Blog author: Alison Hanson, Ally's House Childcare