NDNA Conference 2024: Practice Stream

Practice Stream Chair: Sara Bonetti

Sara is Interim Director of the Institute of Early Years Education and researcher with 15 years of experience advocating on behalf of children and families within government, non-profit and research institutions. Her work focuses on the early years workforce, and the relationship between workforce characteristics and children’s outcomes, particularly socio-emotional development, and language and communication skills. She has also done extensive research on leadership and systems integration.

Elliott Rae

Empowering fathers: strategies for engaging dads and fostering lasting connections with their children

This session will explore:

• How fatherhood has changed over the past few decades and in recent years, expectations and demands of modern family life and why it’s imperative to engage men in their fatherhood role
• Barriers to fathers being equal and active parents and uncover some of the proven techniques for engaging dads in childcare services. 

More about Elliott: 

Elliott Rae is the founder of the parenting platform MusicFootballFatherhood, called the ‘Mumsnet for Dads’ by the BBC. He is the curator of the bestselling book, DAD, presenter of BBC One documentary ‘Becoming Dad’, co-founder of the Working Dads Employer Awards and creator of the Parenting Out Loud campaign which encourages and working dads to be equal and active parents. Elliott is the ex-Head of DEI Delivery at HM Treasury and one of the UK’s most prominent speakers on fatherhood, mental health and masculinity. His work on gender equality has been recognised by the United Nations and he was awarded the #HeForShe award by UN Women UK.  

Penny Greenland

Developmental movement approach to physical development

This session will explore:

• An introduction to a developmental movement approach to physical development and the power of movement play to drive well-being and learning
• What kinds of movement are important
• How babies and children build the milestone movements by combining early movement patterns
• Why sensory development is such an important aspect of physical development.
• Specific aspects of physical play –  spontaneous, free flow movement play – and why this needs to happen inside as well as outside
• The idea of sensory-driven movement play.

Attendees will take away an observation structure to sharpen their observation skills back in their setting. 

More about Penny:

Penny Greenland is the founder of JABADAO – a research, development and training organisation exploring physical development across the early years.  

Between 1998 and 2009 she lead an in-depth action research project exploring the way adults support young children’s (0-6) physicality. From this, the JABADAO team created the Developmental Movement Play approach, training over 19,000 practitioners and creating new opportunities for 50,000+ children. Penny is author of ‘Hopping Home Backwards: body intelligence and movement play’ and a contributor to several early years text books. 

Justyna Ogrodniczek

Championing high quality education for all children

Justyna Ogrodniczek and Emma Gardner will explore the importance of high-quality environments for children with additional needs and how everyday routines have a positive impact on children’s mathematical development.

More about Justyna:

Justyna has over 20 years’ experience in the early years sector, with 16 years in managerial roles. She is a passionate coach, leader and mentor who builds outstanding cultures in settings, empowering staff to reach their full potential and drive continuous improvement. Originally from Poland, she qualified as a teacher in 2002 and worked in the primary sector for six years before moving to the UK. Here, she began as a nursery practitioner, achieved her EYP status and completed her postgraduate qualification in Leadership and Management in Early Years. Justyna is one of our Early Years Advisers for the Champions Programme.