March 2019 – The Edinburgh Froebel Network

We are absolutely delighted that Jane Whinnett, one of the founding members of the Edinburgh Froebel Network, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

This award recognises Jane’s outstanding contribution to Early Childhood education in her many roles of teacher, head teacher, tutor, author and trustee of the Froebel Trust. Jane’s work has had a positive impact on thousands of children and families, not only those she has directly taught, but also through her involvement in the training of hundreds of practitioners and through the many presentations she has given. Jane’s chapter in Early Childhood Practice: Froebel Today is widely disseminated and also referenced in the Care Inspectorate publication, Our Creative Journey.

The members of the Edinburgh Froebel Network Masterclass Players & Storytellers group, raised a glass (or two) to celebrate her achievement.

We are delighted to announce that two information sessions will take place on the 13th and 15th March 2019, providing information about the University of Edinburgh’s new MSc Education, Froebel Pathway programme.

These sessions will be a chance to speak with Dr. Lynn McNair, the Pathway Coordinator, and Dr. Marlies Kustatscher, a Lecturer on it. They will share why the University is offering this pathway and who it is for. Lynn will talk about the philosophy of Friedrich Froebel and his contributions to early childhood education. They will also introduce the core modules and optional modules that can be taken. The session will be a chance to ask any questions about the pathway, for example about when courses take place, full-time and part-time study options, who you will be working with, and what scholarship opportunities exist.

FACE-TO-FACE INFORMATION SESSION: Wednesday 13th March, 16:30-17:30 (GMT).

This session takes place at the Moray House School of Education, Patersons Land G43.

Please book your place for the face-to-face session via the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/face-to-face-information-event-msc-education-early-childhood-practice-and-froebel-tickets-57711861732

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION: Friday 15th March, 12:00-13:00 (GMT)

Please book your place on the online session via this link: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/open-days-events-visits/open-days/postgraduate-virtual-open-week/programme-of-events/education

The Edinburgh Froebel Network

The Edinburgh Froebel Network was set up in 2009 by a group of five Edinburgh Nursery Heads, in order to promote the Froebelian Approach in Edinburgh.

The group began by organising an annual conference, were instrumental in the development and delivery of the Froebel and Early Childhood Practice Course at Edinburgh University, tutoring on the course, and in 2012 published the book, Early Childhood Practice: Froebel Today.

The Froebel and Early Childhood Practice Course has gone from strength to strength with 1000+ graduates working with young children in a variety of sectors.

It has been recognised nationally as an example of excellent professional learning and the University of Edinburgh is now running courses in Edinburgh, The West Partnership, Falkirk, West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Dumfries, Orkney & Shetland and an additional Edinburgh Summer School, with a current cohort of more than 520 students.

Members of the Network are currently working with the University of Edinburgh to deliver the MSc Education (Early Childhood Practice and Froebel Pathway).

A number of graduates of the first three course cohorts, formed the Edinburgh Froebel Network Masterclass group.

Members of the Masterclass meet regularly and have been involved in a practitioner research project, ‘Players and Storytellers,’ which explored the development of narrative through storytelling and play. This work has been shared at a number of conferences and will be published in late Spring 2020.

Network members have also taken part in a series of Seminars including Woodwork, Clay and Paper Folding, which provide ongoing professional development for Froebelian practitioners.

The Network is currently working in partnership with Edinburgh University, Education Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council on a STEM Block Play project across 20 early years settings.

The research projects and Seminars are supported by a grant from the Froebel Trust.

The group recently organised their 11th Conference which took place in October 2019.

Month: March 2019

Congratulations to Jane Whinnett MBE.

New MSc Education (Early Childhood Practice and Froebel) at the University of Edinburgh