Our NDNA Conference Practice Stream is packed with inspiration and ideas for the nursery floor. Book for just £25 a ticket to celebrate 25 years of NDNA being a charity!
Your speakers include:
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.
She was Director of Early Years at the Education Policy Institute between 2017 and 2022 and before that spent a decade working in the early years sector in the United States, first as a teacher and then as a researcher for local government and private research institutes. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on early childhood education.
Ashley John-Baptiste
Promoting the positive path
In this session with Ashley, we will explore how early years workers can steer vulnerable young children onto a positive path of self-esteem and aspiration.
More about Ashley:
Ashley John-Baptiste is an award-winning broadcaster and TV presenter, making reports & hosting The One Show, Sunday Morning Live and also Morning Live & News.
He is also a Senior Reporter for BBC News and was the lead reporter on The Mall for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Funeral and Coronation of His Majesty The King.
Ashley’s debut book ‘Looked After: A Childhood in Care’ is to be released in June 2024.
Elliott Rae
Empowering fathers: strategies for engaging dads and fostering lasting connections with their Children
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.
Jo Stevenson
We know your job is stressful and there are techniques to help you look after yourself first and foremost.
This session will explore:
- Learn simple yogic techniques so that you can understand, manage, and improve your personal stress response
- Shift your mind state and mood in a matter of minutes with breathwork, mindfulness and meditation.
More about Jo:
Jo Stevenson is a Kundalini yoga and meditation teacher, who is dedicated to supporting, coaching and inspiring individuals to relax, recharge and reset.
Jo enjoyed a varied corporate career working for some of the UK’s leading professional services firms for almost two decades before experiencing adrenal fatigue and burn out in 2013. This led her to discover the transformative power of yoga and how in a short space of time this technology can build resilience to manage stress effectively, minimise anxiety and alleviate physical pain.
Paula Dunn
Paula Dunn Champions Lead Early Years Adviser. Starting out in the early years sector in 2004, Paula was involved in the establishment of Sure Start local programmes, supporting the set-up of neighbourhood nurseries alongside developing and delivering a range of early years play and learning activities for children and families.
Prior to joining NDNA, Paula had a long-standing role as a Local Authority Early Years Adviser and trainer working with schools, early years settings and childminders. She has a BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies and EYP status.
Penny Greenland
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.
Maria Thomas and Simon Hewitt Jones
The session will include:
- An introduction to junk percussion in early years settings
- Classroom management when using instruments
- Activities that can be developed in the classroom.
More about The Music Workshop Company:
The Music Workshop Company have been supplying interactive music workshops to educational settings, charities and businesses since 2002. Maria Thomas, Artistic Director of The Music Workshop Company, specialises in early years and Primary workshops. Simon Hewitt Jones, musician and educator, has delivered workshops and classes in a wide range of settings.
Tickets only £25!
Yes, you heard it right! To celebrate 25 years of NDNA being a charity, we are thrilled to launch all conference tickets to NDNA members for just £25.
Non-members are still very welcome at NDNA Conference for the full price of NDNA membership. Alternatively, why not sign up to NDNA membership and receive a huge range of member benefits along with a £25 conference ticket?
Leaders and practitioners, we can’t wait to welcome you to our annual flagship event to keep you informed, improve your practice and continue growing together.
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