EYPS Support: Planning safe and appropriate experiences

Helen Torr is the owner-manager of a successful Montessori nursery in rural Shropshire. She was awarded EYPS in September 2007 after completing the short pathway at Edge Hill University.

Helen submitted written tasks demonstrating how she met the 39 standards within her setting and through her leadership of others. She had completed a training needs analysis with the university which identified that further experience was needed with the birth-to-three age range.

Helen went on a ten-week placement in a nursery where she worked with the staff to introduce treasure baskets. This provided evidence for her written tasks to meet Standard 11. She demonstrated her ability to work collaboratively within a team and lead and support others in their practice.

Helen also provided evidence through her experience of developing a forest school. Her setting operates in a village hall with a gravel car park, so she approached the local primary school and negotiated with them to develop and regularly access a forest school area. Staff and families from the nursery set to work on clearing and preparing the designated area at the back of the school.

Helen then informed the staff of the timetable and weekly visits and held meetings with parents. Permission slips needed to be signed. Fluorescent bibs and wrist straps needed to be purchased and continual risk assessments had to be checked.

Helen has now been using the forest school area for four years. A colleague who used to be a parent at the setting was so impressed with the concept and the experiences the children gain, that she went on to get the Forest School Level 3 qualification and now takes the weekly sessions.