Developing as a Reflective Early Years Professional: A Thematic Approach

by Carol Hayes Carol, Ruth Hudson, Jayne Daly, Mandy Duncan

Overview

Helps early years students and practitioners to get to grips with the key issues, through a critical and thematic approach which focuses on reflective practice.

Theories and research into the nature of reflection are examined, how they can be used, and how they can improve practice, producing a more responsive and thoughtful, research-based workforce for young children and their families.

In this third edition there is greater emphasis on issues related to inclusion and diversity, mental health and communication with parents. New pedagogic features include Team Talk designed to get all members of a work-based team to pool their expertise and knowledge, and to think critically and reflectively upon aspects that may directly affect their settings. There is also a new Evidence Informed Research Practice and Reflection feature which offers questions that emphasise the importance of up-to-date research material informing practice within a setting.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781915713360
Publisher:	Critical Publishing
Publication date:	09/09/2024
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.85(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Carol Hayes worked in early years for over 40 years as a teacher and tutor. She most recently worked at Staffordshire University as a principal lecturer and academic group leader where she helped to develop a thriving early childhood studies department with programmes from Foundation Degrees to Masters. Her specialist area is cognitive development, language, literacy and communication. Her main research interests are dyslexia and communication difficulties and graduate teaching assistants in the workforce. 

Jayne Daly has worked in early years for the past 25 years as a nursery officer (NNEB), an early years manager and tutor. Throughout her professional practice she has worked within the public care, health and education sectors. Her desire to ‘give something back’ to those new to providing positive outcomes for young children and their families pushed her forward into teaching within the higher education sector at Staffordshire University. She now teaches within the early childhood studies department at the University of Wolverhampton. 

Mandy Duncan began her career as a nursery nurse 15 years ago, before training as a teacher. She worked initially with young children in primary schools in both inner city and rural areas and later with young people aged 14-19 in a further education college. She has been a lecturer in higher education for the last four years teaching on BA (Hons) and MA Early Childhood Studies and BA (Hons) Childhood & Youth Studies. She is currently engaged in doctoral research with young people undergoing child protection proceedings.           

Ruth Gill's experience with children started as a children’s nanny to bereaved families and progressed to working in a Further Education based nursery as an assistant. She quickly progressed to management but continued to study at HE level. Teaching in HE allows her to share her passion for quality interactions between staff and children with a wide audience of new and experienced practitioners.

Ann Whitehouse started her career as an NNEB and worked for a number of years in nursery education. More recently, she has worked as an Early Years lecturer in FE and played an integral role in developing a Foundation Degree in Early Years for experienced practitioners.  Most recently she was a Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University, working with full-time and part-time students on Early Childhood Studies programmes and Award Leader for the Foundation Degree.  Her specific interests are related to the development of early years' pedagogy.