Froebel and childhood practice course
This course is designed for professionals working in early education wanting to learn about Froebelian methods and improve their practice.
This professional development course for those working in early education considers how a contemporary analysis of Froebel’s work can provide practitioners with insights into how they can support young children to develop as confident learners. Participants will learn about Froebelian approaches including gifts, play, and relationships in learning contexts. Participants will be encouraged and challenged to consider how this can enhance their professional practice.
Froebel and childhood practice course 2019 and 2020
Venue: Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh
Given government initiatives to improve the quality of early education and childcare, this course has been designed to provide a continuing professional development (CPD) opportunity to professionals across the education and social services sector. We are currently running courses in specific Local Authorities, and we are also running two open courses in Edinburgh this year - an intensive summer course which took place in July 2019 and an equivalent academic year course from Autumn 2019 to Spring 2020.
Next year's intensive summer course will run from 14 to 18 July 2020 and our 2020/21 academic year course will begin on 10 October 2020.
Course tutors
| Course Tutors include | Current posts |
|---|---|
| Stella Brown | Head Teacher of Tynecastle Nursery School |
| Professor Tina Bruce CBE | Previously External Examiner for the Froebel-based in-service course at Moray House in Edinburgh |
| Chris McCormick | Headteacher of Cameron House Nursery School |
| Lynn McNair OBE | Head of the Cowgate Under 5’s Centre and Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh |
| Jane Read | Emeritus Fellow at Roehampton University |
| Helen Tovey | Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton University |
| Jane Whinnett | Head Teacher of Balgreen Nursery School |
| Catriona Gill | Head Teacher of Greengables Nursery School & Family Centre |
Course programme
Core topics will include:
- Froebel and the Historic Legacy
- Working in a Community School with under 5’s
- Frobelian Principals: Practice today
- A Froebelian Perspective on the Nursery Garden
- Froebel and Inclusive Education
- Play and learning for children aged 0-5 years.
Indicative Course Schedules
|
Edinburgh Course (Academic Year 2019/20) |
Date |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
Saturday 5 October 2019 |
1000-1530 |
|
Tutorial 1 |
Wednesday 23 October 2019 |
1700-1900 |
|
Tutorial 2 |
Wednesday 30 October 2019 |
1700-1900 |
| Visit 1 | Wednesday 6 November 2019 | 1700-1900 |
| Visit 2 | Wednesday 13 November 2019 | 1700-1900 |
| Day 2 | Saturday 16 November 2019 | 1000-1530 |
| Tutorial 3 | Wednesday 4 December 2019 | 1700-1900 |
|
Assignment 1 deadline |
Friday 31 January 2020 |
1700 |
|
Tutorial 4 |
Wednesday 22 January 2020 |
1700-1900 |
|
Day 3 |
Saturday 22 February 2020 |
1000-1500 |
| Visit 3/Poster Session - Group 1 | Wednesday 11 March 2020 | 1700-1900 |
| Day 4 | Saturday 14 March 2020 | 0900-1500 |
| Visit 3/Poster Session - Group 2 | Wednesday 18 March 2020 | 1700-1900 |
|
Tutorial 5 (Individual time slots) |
Wednesday 1 April 2020 |
1700-1900 |
|
Assignment 2 deadline |
Thursday 14 May 2020 | 1700 |
|
Assignment 3 deadline - poster presentation |
Wednesday 3 June 2020 |
1700 |
| Presentation Evening | Wednesday 3 June 2020 | 1700-1900 |
CPD hours
The total number of contact CPD hours for both the summer course and the course running throughout the academic year will be 30 hours.
Course fees
The course fee is £850. Please note that this only includes tuition for the CPD course and some light refreshments. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation, accommodation, and meals.
If you wish to apply for funding through SAAS (Student Award Agency Scotland) please see our guidelines below.
Register your interest for the next course
To register your interest for either our summer 2020 intensive course or our academic year 2020/21 course please submit our online form:
If you require any further information please contact froebel@ed.ac.uk or 0131 651 4842.
Quotes from past participants
I would love every person working with children in Early Years and Child Care to have the opportunity to experience this course.
I cannot find anything to improve this was the best piece of CPD I have ever undertaken and would recommend to anyone. There is a real sense of achievement at the end through your project work and meeting like-minded colleagues who can share practice across authorities is fantastic.
This course has completely changed my life. I have changed my career path and this course gave me the confidence to do so.
Loved the course, it's inspired me to make changes for the children.