Author: Ali

This comprehensive 1-hour staff meeting template guides early years practitioners through critically reflecting on how festival celebrations are planned and experienced within their setting. The resource challenges surface-level approaches to cultural events, repositioning festival celebrations as opportunities for genuine inclusion and meaningful connection with children and families. Teams work through reflective activities that examine current practice, exploring the difference between tokenistic representation and authentic cultural experiences that truly resonate with the children and communities they serve. The template draws on principles of belonging and cultural identity, encouraging practitioners to consider how festivals can be woven meaningfully into daily life rather than treated as one-off activities disconnected from children’s lived experiences. Each element of the session prompts teams to reflect on the voices of families, the authenticity of resources and materials used, and the lasting impact celebrations have on children’s sense of identity and self-worth. With a focus on moving beyond the decorative towards the deeply relational, this resource includes follow-up activities to embed reflective practice and support settings in developing a more intentional, inclusive approach to cultural celebration throughout the year.

This comprehensive 1-hour staff meeting template guides early years practitioners through transforming everyday care routines into meaningful relationship-building opportunities. The resource challenges the perception that physical care tasks interrupt teaching, instead repositioning them as essential educational practices. Teams work through practical activities including a carousel reflection examining eight realistic caring moment scenarios (from nappy changes to mealtimes), analysing respectful interactions through video examples from St Pauls Nursery School, and defining what care means to them. The template emphasises Birth to 5 Matters guidance on respectful caregiving, where practitioners work with children rather than doing things to them, recognising each child as a free and equal human being. Each scenario prompts teams to consider children’s dignity, voice, autonomy, and individual needs within group routines. With references to Carol Garboden Murray’s work and EEF evidence-informed approaches, this resource includes follow-up activities such as observing care practices across the setting, watching videos on promoting self-care, and supervision prompts to embed learning into practice.