Cowgate Under Fives; First Impressions

I've been in Edinburgh now since last Thursday. I drove here from Fife and took a little time exploring one or two castles on the way. This place is jam packed full of wonderful history, stories from centuries ago that catch my imagination and pull me back to another time. Having scones with jam and cream in a castle is pretty special. I've yet to sample a high tea, but it is on my list of things to do. 

I've met a contingent of Aussie friends here and am sharing an apartment for the week. It's so great to be with people all day. I have been so well looked after in my travels but most breakfasts and dinners and quiet evening times have been spent alone. I was getting used to it and utilizing the time but nothing beats having someone to return home to and I'm relishing in the familiarity of good friends. 

The apartment was not chosen by me, but I was invited to join my friends here. I had no idea how far Cowgate Nursery would be from it and was googling maps, trying to figure out what sort of walk I would have in the mornings and afternoons. I was pleasantly surprised to realise that it is less than a minute or two away, down an alley called Old Assembly Close, just off The Royal Mile. I can walk to Edinburgh Castle in minutes, or to Hollyrood Pallace in less than an hour. The childcare centre is tiny, squeezed into an inner city space. What they have done to make their garden a special place is nothing short of amazing. 

Last Thursday I met with yet another inspirational and knowledgable practitioner. Lian Higgins is the Deputy Head of the Cowgate Under Fives and when I arrived in the morning she greeted me with a smile and an apology. They have just recently been under the stress of an inspection and are still recovering from the experience (sound familiar?). When Lian got my email reminding them of my immanent arrival in the next few days she was understandably flustered as they had had more pressing things to attend to. What impressed me was what I often see when I arrive at early childhood centres. People who are ready for the next challenge, armed with resilience and an ability to access coping mechanisms. As I arrived, so did parents, another staff member and children were adding their presence to the mix because they have free access to the office and foyer. This is their space. Liam listened with delight to a group of children, signed parents in, gave instructions to a staff member, greeted a new baby and welcomed the overseas guest. You know the drill, you've possibly experienced similar demands all happening at once in your own work. Within this busy hubbub Liam also accessed some information on the centre and was showing me some of their story, recent history and projects, as she continued to respond to everything else that required her attention. Soon the administrative officer turned up and Liam took me to an upstairs meeting area where we could talk. 

I've mentioned about my happy place before, and for the next two hours I was there, listening to what Lian had to share about their centre, it's philosophy, the strength and vision of the leadership, the theoretical influences that govern their practice and some of the many challenges along the way. It was an intense conversation with me worrying that I wouldn't retain it all, as I felt that taking notes would be an intrusion into this candid and sociable chat. I decided to relax and just take out of it what my mind would naturally retain, because that would be what was significant for me, what was firing my neurons and what resonated. 

So I was left with some very strong impressions:

Leadership and vision is vital to developing a quality education environment and enabling change

Froebel is a theorist who deserves more attention in my research  and my investigation. His work seems to scream EYLF in very big letters.

It can be done, with persistence, courage, support and determination. 

Staffing is vital. You need the right people that will share the vision. If you don't get it, you're better off somewhere else and so are the children (sorry to be so harsh).

Children deserve no less than the very best education in a child centered system

Early childhood needs to be an advocate for children as they embark on the next educational journey into formal schooling and beyond. 

Ok. I'll be back tomorrow with more on Froebel and on Cowgate. I just wanted you know that I haven't become lost in the dungeons around the castle. Talk tomorrow. 

A buggy ride in the Danish countryside

I have spent the last three days with Jane Williams Seigfredson. Her company, Inside Out Nature, provides training and development around the world to people like me. Educators, governments, organizations and the like who are interested in the concept of outdoor learning in education settings. 

http://insideoutnature.com/

Again, I see it as a great privilege to have been able to learn from Jane, but the last three days have been more than that. Jane invited me into her home, concerned that I might be lonely on my own, which I was. I've been driven around the countryside to three extraordinary kindergartens, been taken care of, introduced to amazing pedagogues who have a heart and a passion for their work, and enjoyed fantastic conversations about our work with children and educators over lunch and coffee. 

This has been an extraordinary opportunity, so can you imagine my surprise when I arrived at her house for the last time, thinking I was there for a coffee and authentic Danish pastry, when I saw Keld with his buggy and a friend, ready to take me for a drive with May and Monty? 

I was taken into the utility room and provided with a ski suit and a scarf to add to my collection of warm clothing, and as I emerged well and truly rugged up, there were the ponies, all harnessed up and ready to go. 

Can you see the smile on my face? I was beaming.

It was a breathtaking journey, first into the back of the property and into a forested area where it was cold and dim. A tree stole my beanie and Poal had to get off the cart and retrieve it from a branch. We emerged into the gorgeous Danish countryside where I was able to see typical farms and various livestock. There were crops of barley and rye growing as well as wild patches of forest. The road surfaces changed from grass track to rutted dirt and gravel to sealed road until we came to an intersection of a main road. Here the horses trotted and I was amazed as cars wizzed by from the other direction. May and Monty were responsive to Kelds calls and touch through a piece of string on a pole as well as the guidance of the reins. I was on top of the world, looking down at the lush country, half in last century and half in today's crazy sped up world. The last leg of the journey was through the village, where mothers and small children smiled and waved and cars slowed as we passed. A wide tractor approached but there was plenty of room. As we came into the driveway of their home I was sorry it was over but incredibly joyous from the experience. 

The horses were released from their harness and the sense of being freed was expressed in large sighs, snorts and a thorough shaking. They were lovingly hosed down and scraped and had to put up with me nuzzling and rubbing their muzzles and scratching their necks throughout. They were finally placed in their stables where hay and water was waiting and clean straw under their hooves. They were two very happy ponies and I thanked them later with half an apple each. 

Then we had the promised Danish and a cup of tea, delicious Stone Age bread made with seeds and rye and a chunk of Bree cheese. A feast accompanied by more conversation, this time about our travel experiences. 

Jane and Keld, if you are reading this, please accept my thanks and gratitude for not only a wonderful learning opportunity beyond all my expectations but also for your hospitality, kindness and friendship. I'm not much into stuff, I'm into experiences and this experience with your ponies is one of those precious ones that will always be remembered and thought of with a smile. 

I hope you enjoy the photos

Hi everyone

So I just sent out an email to everyone I can think of that might want to follow my travels. It's a scary thing to do, because now I not only have to learn how to use a blog, but will need to keep it updated regularly. We all know what it's like to start on a project and find it hard to keep it up as the days go by. Anyway, I'm committed now and if you talk to me it will definitely motivate me to keep it up with great enthusiasm.