NEYAI Docklands Early Numeracy Project Consortium Dr Josephine

NEYAI Docklands Early Numeracy Project Consortium Dr Josephine Bleach 5 th June 2014

Early Learning Initiative • Provide learning support programmes, which enable positive educational change in the local community • Work collaboratively with local educators to improve teaching and learning • Use community action research (Plan, Do, Review) to implement national policy and programmes

Qualities of an Effective Consortium ü Cross-sectorial inclusive networks (equal voice) ü Shared statement of purpose and a set of guiding principles (application form; MOU; agreed structure and process) ü Safe opportunities for group reflection and planning (small groups) ü Constant dialogue and communication (formal & informal) ü Attitude of learning as we go - no final answers – answers transform into new questions (harness creativity) ü Community commitment and buy-in with everyone implementing the activities (excitement & interest) ü External interest and support: Pobal, Learning Community, Steering group, CES (credibility & wider perspective)

NEYAI Roles and Responsibilities • NCI – full responsibility for financial, management, contractual, reporting and governance requirements • ELI Review Board • Project Co-ordinators – managing & coordinating the project • Consortium (Managers) – overall planning and decisions • Working group (representatives of front line staff) –planning, implementation and leading staff within their own centresattendance • Front line staff – developing and implementing programme *Links between working group and colleagues: essential for success of the project at setting/ school level, teamwork & planning*

Role of the NEYAI Working Group • Bring and share early numeracy expertise and experience from working with various age-groups • Network with other settings • Input re. Theme/ Focus of Curriculum Priority Week • Input re. Resources, Activities etc. • Communicate info. to your staff team • Involve wider community • Co-ordinate curriculum priority week & related events @ your setting e. g. awareness of existing resources in setting to complement c. p. wk activities

Parameters of the NEYAI Project • Early Numeracy Themes • Working with ECCE centres, schools, parents, 4 parishes- all planning must take place at working group- collated into ‘generic’ guidelines • Limited Resources- human resources & funding- e. g. sample resources • Success dependent on enthusiasm of individuals and staff teams- each setting responsible for implementation

NEYAI Termly Cycle Consortium meets in June (review & draft plan) and September (agree plan)

Review What is working well? What could we do better? Consider the following: • Overall Project • Structure • Activities • Participation • Communication

Conclusion Implementation is supported in a way that enhances participants’ capabilities, both individually and collectively, to produce results they truly care about (Senge and Scharmer 2001) Recognise and celebrate collective achievements Join us at the NEYAI Docklands Early Numeracy Project Exhibition and Book launch on Tuesday 17 th June at 2. 30 pm