Evidence Based Research Projects

As inspired educators our practice is constantly evolving to reflect our values, our experiences, our professional knowledge and understanding, to enable us to make decisions that are tailored to the needs and priorities of individual children and families.

The LEAP (Little Explorers and Parents and families) Project

Some of our Woodlands educators at George Dent Nursery,in conjunction with Northern Ballet, North East and North Cumbria Child Health and Wellbeing Network and Newcastle University, have been piloting a project which has been designed for Early Years Educators to confidently deliver creative movement and storytelling sessions. The project helps to encourage wellbeing through movement, and to improve educational outcomes for children by making links to the EYFS and involving parents.

Elklan Communication Friendly Setting Programme

Educators at Borough Road and George Dent Nursery are also taking part in ELklan's CFS. As part of the Department of Education’s Early Years Recovery Programme, Pen Green Stronger Practice Hub in the East Midlands, Bright Futures Stronger Practice Hub in the North West, the Stronger Practice Hubs for all the LAs in the North East, St Edmunds Early Years Stronger Practice Hub for Yorkshire & The Humber and the EEF are working together to fund Early Years settings’ access to Elklan’s Communication Friendly Settings Programme.

The University of York and the University of Sheffield will study the programme's influence on the knowledge, skills and confidence of the whole early years setting staff and on children’s speech, language and communication.

Being part of a research project is exciting because we get to see whether new ways of working with children are effective or not. We look forward to updating you on our experiences and outcomes.

Emotions Coaching - September 2024