The Involve Programme

What happens when young children and adults work together to enhance opportunities for creative learning?

Background

‘The Involve Programme’ run by City of York Council Inclusive Arts team has to date, carried out a number of highly successful arts projects with children under five and their families and carers.

Working as an artist with children in their early years of development is rewarding and inspiring as well as supportive to children’s development through play based learning. It requires a flexible and playful approach in all art forms, listening and following where the children lead

In September 2010, a Professional Development Training Day was held for artists who wished to extend their practice in early years work. 20 experienced practising artists attended the day which included sharing exploring open-ended play with Mary Passeri, being introduced to the Early Years Foundation Stage, and being inspired by other successful artist/early years partnerships.

A mentoring programme was set up and three artists residencies ran for five weeks to enable the artists to develop their practice and enhance their understanding of working with children under 5 years.

The following case studies seeks to showcase the three projects and inspire early years settings to consider working in partnership with artists to support children’s learning and development through creative play and explore possibilities for child initiated learning.

• From Nature to Space Exploration - Kirstie Briggs Bateman and Foxwood Family Point
• Forest and Clay Stories - York Campus Nursery and Fiona Fitzgerald
• Hunters and Gatherers - Gerard Hobsons
  

Early Years Foundation Stage

Anne Cooper, Early Learning Leader delivered an introduction to the EYFS at the artists’ professional training day and the Early Learning Team have continued to be observers and carry out Leuven’s scale assessments.

City of York Council’s Inclusive Arts Team

Inclusive Arts’ Key Aims are to:

• Enhance the quality of life for York’s residents through participation in arts and creative activities especially those living in deprived neighbourhoods or who are in other ways disadvantaged.
• Remove barriers to ensure residents can share in the city’s cultural, economic, environmental and social well-being.