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The Business Design Centre doors opened at 9am on Friday, 2 February to welcome the first of nearly 3,500 visitors for two days packed with CPD, networking, information-gathering and resource-buying.
The programme of masterclasses and seminars was a major draw. The BBC’s The Sky at Night presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock led Friday’s masterclass ‘How children learn: inspiring, supporting, teaching’, with Julie Fisher presenting on ‘How to be an effective educator’. Saturday saw a host of experts including Jo Warin, Gary Wilson and Alice Sharp join forces for ‘Boys’ learning: rethinking gender and early years practice’.
The extensive line-up of seminars covered most vital topics from team-building, physical development, Reggio Emilia and school readiness to picture books, laughter, role play and provocations for learning.
The exhibition featured more than 100 stands. Community Playthings’ rocking chair was very popular with those looking to rest their feet for a few minutes! Hope Education, TTS, Early Years Direct, Cosy, Eduzone and Yellow Door all had lots of products to try and buy, while Wild Fang displayed a live corn snake and chameleon.
There were books from Herts for Learning, Hodder and Clickety Books, services from Contact Group, Auditel and Hugs Infant Protection, and learning journey software from Blossom, Kinderly and eyLog. Training opportunities came from the University of Greenwich, Azilo, Dingley’s Promise, the Communication Trust and Threads of Success, with childcare organisations and unions including the Pre-school Learning Alliance, NDNA, Prospect, Action for Children and PACEY in attendance. Jobs galore were available through LEYF, Daisy Chain, Hello Mums and TUI.
The Live Theatre was sponsored by Christie & Co, who also held a Business Outlook Briefing, packed with senior early years leaders. NEyTCO’s Training and Consultancy Zone, TTS’s Early Years Resources and Learning Zone, LEYF’s Early Years Careers Zone and the Nutrition Zone were all buzzing.
See you at Nursery World North in Liverpool on 11-12 May, www.nurseryworldshow.com.
