Developing As a Reflective Early Years P: A Thematic Approach

Provides an accessible yet critical approach to key themes within the early years, with a focus throughout on reflective practice.

It starts by examining theories and research into the nature of reflection, how it can be used and how it can improve practice and produce a more responsive and thoughtful, research-based workforce for young children and their families. A range of themes, including global childhood poverty, observation and assessment, leadership, and multi-professional working, are then explored, highlighting the importance and application of reflection throughout these areas of research and practice.

This new edition includes two completely new chapters on reflecting on work-based learning and reflecting on children’s play and creativity. Information on mentoring and on the position of men in early years higher education has also been added. Greater depth and challenge is provided through extended thinking questions and extended reflections at the end of each chapter.

Since retiring as principal lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Staffordshire University, Carol Hayes have written and edited numerous books and articles on early years, specializing in cognitive and language development. She has engaged with several research projects and have been able to contribute, from the knowledge of almost 50 years in the early years sector, as teacher, tutor and external examiner. She was National Chair of the Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early Years Professional Association (SEFDEY), which strives to endorse quality education for practitioners engaging with degree level courses and provides a platform for those working and researching within early years.

Jayne Daly's vocation in terms of early childhood and education began over 30 years ago. Throughout her professional career she has worked in the public care, health and education sectors. In 2007 she recognised it was time to give something back to those that were starting out in this field and she became a further and higher education teacher. She is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, also studying for a PhD in Fostering resilience in early years education and care: policy, politics and practice. Her other research interests are quality early years leadership and international curriculum development.  

Mandy Duncan has a deep commitment to the early years and began her career in this sector as a nursery nurse, going on to teach early years practitioners for many years. She is currently Deputy Head of the School of Education at the University of Worcester. Prior to this she worked as senior lecturer in Education at Staffordshire University. She has led and developed a range of early childhood and education degree programmes. She gained a PhD at the University of Gloucestershire in 2016 and her main research interests include sociological and global perspectives of childhood, child protection and early years pedagogy.            

Ruth Hudson began her career in early years working in a further education nursery, progressing to nursery management. After completing her MA Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield she moved into higher education at Staffordshire University, teaching in the Institute of Education on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Her doctoral thesis focuses on bereaved children aged 0-8 years old and interventions to support them in education settings. She has researched at an international level on parental participation in four European countries and with the British Council on curriculum approaches in China. Her current role as Associate Dean, allows her to look ahead to the future needs of the early years and education workforce.

Ann Whitehouse's career has been devoted to early childhood; initially working as an NNEB in nursery education, supplemented with valuable experiences as a nanny, childminder, pre-school leader, teaching assistant and social services nursery officer.  More recently, she was a senior lecturer at Staffordshire University, leading the FdA and part-time BA top-up in Early Childhood Studies for practitioners.  Although now retired, she remains actively involved in promoting and supporting the development of professional practice in the sector and in reflecting on the lives and experiences of young children.