seven stories

Jesmond and Elmfield Nurseries, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Early Years CPD and Outreach Case Study. 

Liz Cooke, Nursery Manager explains how Seven Stories inspired children and staff with books and story:

"Jesmond and Elmfield are busy and popular nurseries in Newcastle. We had lots of books and story times in our nurseries and found that sometimes our stories fitted in around us. We wanted to bring a greater value and focus to the love of books and how we could use them more creatively throughout the nursery to increase children’s love of books and reading. We approached Seven Stories and worked together across two academic years. Our staff attended two professional development sessions and Story Parties were held in the nursery for all the children. Staff then went on to develop their own story experiences and activities to use regularly in the nurseries. This program of work changed the way we use stories, they’re at the heart of play and planning now. We have a greater selection of books and as a staff team our knowledge and love of books has grown too. We have noticed a difference in the children too. The activities and songs we share with stories are much more a part of child-led play. Children remember the stories, talking and playing the stories they have had. Certain stories can go on for months! We get lots more requests for stories too."

Feedback

Of the 14 staff who completed an evaluation questionnaire, 14 agreed that the sessions had made them excited about how they could use stories in their setting, 14 said they had been given new ideas to try out and 13 said that the sessions had given them more confidence to use books as an exciting starting point for learning.

"The staff and children got a lot out of the 1 hour session, which had not just been reading stories, but finding imaginative ways in which to extend and explore stories further through actions and songs and creative activities” – Nursery Officer

“The children thoroughly enjoyed both stories and the session as a whole really captured their imagination” – Nursery Officer

To book Story Party sessions and supporting CPD for your setting contact Lisa Moll, School Sales Coordinator T: 0845 271 0777 ext 719 E: lisa.moll@sevenstories.org.uk

Examples of CPD available:

For schools and Early Years Settings - EYFS