LearningTransformed

earlyexcellence.com

‘The benefits and rewards of working with Early Excellence have been vast. The impact on teaching and learning in the EYFS has led to huge improvements, with outstanding practice now commonplace. All of the staff have embraced the changes and now have a shared vision.

The EYFS classrooms are transformed into vibrant, well- resourced environments where children’s learning can be nurtured and challenged. Staff are more confident when observing learning and make ongoing assessments effectively to ensure that the continuous provision gives all children the opportunity to progress. The staff feel better equipped to accurately plan, deliver and assess learning ensuring that all children are maximising their learning time.

To observe this transformation in both teaching and learning is remarkable.’

Hayley McClenaghanHeadteacher, Crowlands PrimarySchool, Havering

Early Excellence is an establishednational leader of pedagogy, provisionand practice specialising in young children’s education. Founded in 1998by Liz Marsden, a Headteacher andEarly Years Adviser, the organisation champions the development of inspirational learning and teaching and offers expert advice, bespoke supportand specialised training to schoolsand settings across the UK.

As an organisation passionate about child-centred pedagogy, Early Excellence helps to secure quality practice withinthe ever changing landscape ofeducation policy. With a sharp focuson the leadership of teaching andlearning in the EYFS and KS1, Early Excellence is a vital resource for leaders and practitioners.

Getting it Right for Young ChildrenThe journey of Early Excellence from our roots in theNorth to our ground-breaking Centre in London is a unique story of how a dream for promoting excellent early years practice became a reality. Nearly two decades ago, after I moved from headship intoa local authority advisory role, I went out of sheer curiosityto view an old school that was for sale near to where I lived. Looking around this beautiful but neglected building I began to imagine it as a centre for the early years community. The building sold within weeks but I could not stop thinking about it and amazingly, just two years later, it came backon the market. With the support of family and the helpof many hands, we began creating a place for practitionersto gain knowledge, insight, equipment and above all,inspiration to deliver excellence in early years education.

We have grown in our influence and reach every yearand today we are a highly respected national organisation.I still don’t know what gave me the courage to begin theEarly Excellence journey – but I do know that my passionfor supporting young children’s education is as strongnow as it was then. I am lucky to work every day with a brilliant team of talented trainers and consultants, senior leaders and practitioners, and together we are taking Early Excellence from strengthto strength. Our mission remains as important todayas ever: getting it right for young children.

Liz MarsdenFounder & CEO, Early Excellence

Passionate About QualityEmpowering Leaders, CultivatingGood Practice

At Early Excellence we are passionate about the quality of learning and teaching in the early years (Birth – 6yrs). We have developed into a trusted partner for organisations, schools and early years settings who share our commitment to child-centred pedagogy.

Defining the values that underpin quality practice is keyto our work. We believe in nurturing curiosity, creativity, competence and confidence in children so that they cango on and thrive in the world. Through our Centres for Inspirational Learning, innovativetraining projects, bespoke consultancy and classroomplanning services we empower leaders to cultivate good practice. We work within a clear set of principles and help with critical reflection, informed planning and effective assessment, creating stimulating environments and more skilled interactions with children. As a nationally influential organisation, we engagewith decision makers to help shape the latest initiatives and we work with senior leaders and practitioners to translate and implement policy in ways that strengthen effectiveprovision and pedagogy. We are proud to be a part of an educational community in which our role is to speak out, create solutions and share expertise. We will always keep what matters most for young children firmly at the centre of everything we do.

Through our passion for building quality practice we have created a frameworkfor defining values, embedding principles and translating policy in ways thataccommodate and strengthen effective pedagogy and provision.

MotivationConfidence

Creativity

Empathy

Curiosity

DefiningValues

Building Quality

InformedPlanning

SkilledInteraction

EffectiveAssessment

CriticalReflection

StimulatingEnvironments

EmbeddingPrinciples

SchoolReadiness

PupilPremium

OfstedInspections

TrackingProgress

TranslatingPolicy

We support and leadpractice that nurtureswell-being and ensuresthat children are securein their environments –highly motivated,creative and confident learners.

DefiningValues

High levels of well-being nurtured through a highly stimulating play-based environment.

EmbeddingPrinciplesWe develop approachesto creating environments and adult interactionthat enable children toconsolidate, extend and challenge their learning.

Deep level involvement fostered by the investigationof fascinating objectsand materials.

TranslatingPolicyWe shape the interpretation and understandingof national policiesand initiatives in waysthat accommodate andstrengthen effectiveprovision and pedagogy.

Confident in usinga range of key skillsin authentic andmeaningful contexts.

Focused on Informing PracticeSharing Expertise, CreatingTailored Solutions

At Early Excellence we lead a team of highly experienced consultants who provide high quality training andresources to guide improvement and transform thelearning environment. We offer a multi-layered approachto continuing professional development, helping to embed effective practice from birth through to the end of Year 1.We train teaching assistants in their vital role, guide NQTs through their first year and work with experienced staffto inform and inspire their continuous development. Much of our work is focused on connecting with leaders.As strategic partners we utilise our experienced teamto quickly review practice and deliver programmes of support focused on rapid improvement. We also work with experienced EYFS leaders and headteachers in networks providing regular updates on national policy, strategy and implications. We work with trusts, federations and teaching alliances too, adding a richness and depth to their work. Together we are building a community of knowledgeable and articulate educators who value the nature of young learners and are committed to meeting their needs.

We inform practice through a widerange of services that offer a multi-layeredapproach to CPD. We deliver prestigious events, seminars and conferences, training packages and bespoke consultancy to support, challenge and inspire at all levels.

InformingPractice

NationalInitiatives

In-depthTraining

InspiringCentres

BespokeConsultancy

DefiningValues

TranslatingPolicy

EmbeddingPrinciples

InsightfulEvents

‘ This was such a high quality event. Professor dr. Ferre Laevers was highly engaging and inspiring. It is reassuring to find a community that we understand and that in turn understands the needs of our school and our ethos.

Alison Harvey Deputy Headteacher, Bridgewater Primary School, Leicester

InformingPractice

InsightfulEventsWe have exclusive partnershipswith internationally recognisedthinkers and leaders, providingprestigious events to provokethinking, share perspectivesand build action research withinthe early years community.

Professor dr. Ferre Laevers shares his researchand inspires colleaguesat an Early Excellence National Conference.

‘ Thank you so much. I’m so relieved that Early Excellence has taken on the challenge to reform the whole assessment system in early years and refocus on what matters.’

Jane King Reception Teacher, Horsmonden Primary School, Kent

InformingPractice

National InitiativesKnown for our principled, yet highly informed pragmatic approach,we lead insightful briefings to update on key issues effecting early years, providing solutions that supporteffective pedagogy and value driven accountability.

Jan Dubiel, our National Director, offers insight into principled pedagogy and assessment at a national briefing.

‘ Another inspiring visit to Early Excellence. Such a wealth of new and innovative ideas to enhance and further our pupils’ learning experiences. I can’t wait to come again.’

Gwenda Morgan KS1 Teacher, Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn, Llandudno

‘ We benefited hugely from the support of a very knowledgeable consultant. I felt as a school we could implement the ideas gained from this visit to ensure best practice for our children – excited, curious, independent, critical thinking children.’

Maria Moon Headteacher, Clarkson Nursery and Infant School, Wisbech

InformingPractice

Our unique and specialist Centres play a leading role in celebrating high-quality, innovative and creative practice from across the UK. Theyenable practitioners to connect with the wider early years in search of knowledge, insight and inspiration.

Inspiring Centres

A group of practitionersfully engaged indiscussing best practicewith our Centre Manager,Felicity Benton – thoroughly enjoying their day in our Northern Centre.

‘ I can’t think of any other single initiative we’ve undertaken in foundation that has had such a wide ranging impact on our practice, not just outdoors but throughout. I really feel I have developed as a practitioner and a leader as well, and the impact it’s had on our children has been phenomenal.’

Tim Downes EYFS Leader, Fitzwilliam Primary School, Wakefield

InformingPractice

In-depthTrainingWe have established a national reputation for leading an extensive range of high impact, specialist CPD that combines training, personalised support and practical resourcesto inspire, motivate, fully engageand move practice forward.

‘ This project has had a massive impact on the Year 1 team. The classroom and teaching has been transformed and changes are ongoing. Each training day gives us further inspiration. Thank you for helping and supporting us through this journey.’

Dominque Mottram Y1 Teacher, St Paul’s Primary School, Wigan

One of our highly experienced consultants leads training for a cluster of schools and helps practitioners to review and develop their practice.

‘ With your support we have begun to achieve our vision for a child-centred ethos through primary. We have worked together to plan and equip stimulating environments YR – Y2. With continuing support we are confident in achieving quality learning right the way through school.’

Chris Currie Head of Primary, Dixons Allerton Academy, Bradford

InformingPractice

BespokeConsultancyWe work strategically with senior leaders to transform vision into reality, delivering bespoke solutions to support all levels of need.We can rapidly transform the learning environment, develop individualised programmes of significant improvement or facilitate greater challenge and innovation through participation in crossschool projects.

An Executive Headteacher taps into our expertiseand gains help in planning and equipping learning environments in YR, Y1& Y2.

Be inspired, develop knowledge,gain insight and get equipped withEarly Excellence.

Whether you’re an early years practitioner reviewing practice and provision oran academy leader seeking rapid improvement, innovation or challenge –we are here to help. To gain support foryour development needs, simply make contact with our senior team.

Liz MarsdenFounder & CEO Jan DubielNational Director Lynda TruemanNational Development Manager Ruth SwailesSenior Leadership Consultant Jude TwaniRegional Development Manager Fiona CarterRegional Development Manager Judith HammondRegional Development Manager Phil ArmstrongHead of Centre (London) Felicity BentonCentre Manager (North) Matthew SayerSenior Curriculum Consultant Louise JacksonCurriculum Consultant Helen TateCurriculum Consultant Denise KilnerCurriculum Consultant Andy BurtCurriculum Consultant Barbara PattersonCurriculum Consultant Joanne HensonNational Services Manager

Nathan ArcherResearch & Communications Manager

Early Excellence (Northern Centre)The Old School, New Hey Road, Outlane, Huddersfield HD3 3YJ.

Early Excellence (London Centre)Eden House, Water Gardens Square, Canada Water, London SE16 6RH.

Telephone 01422 311 314Fax 01422 311 315Email admin@earlyexcellence.comwww.earlyexcellence.com

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