Early Education-London Branch

The holistic impact of rough and tumble play

This session at Thomas Coram Early Years Centre explored ways to navigate physical and rough - tumble play in settings, by embracing the holistic impact this has on child development. We discussed strategies that can be implemented and will support settings in enabling children's rough and tumble play in a safe and meaningful way.
The session was presented by Rachna Joshi, a teacher and writer. She works with children and families aged from birth to five. Rachna is a member of the Early Education London Branch committee and endorsed Froebelian Travelling Tutor, and a trustee of Second Hand Dance, a disabled- led children's dance company.
Thursday 5th February 2026

From Pea to Gherkin - What do the Bauhaus, Enid Blyton and Mondrian have in common?

London branch of Early Education is again very grateful to the Thomas Coram Centre and the Headteacher Perina Holness for being the venue for our summer meeting. The sunny weather allowed us to hold the AGM-2025 in Coram’s lovely setting accompanied by strawberries and Pimm’s. The speaker for the evening was Mark Hunter.
A lifelong Froebelian, Mark is the founder and Director of Annan School in East Sussex, a school rooted in Froebelian principles. He trained at Froebel College and began his career teaching young children in London. He has served on both the Education and Research Committees of the Froebel Trust and is currently President of the National Froebel Network. Today, he shares his insights with fellow Early Years Educators and other professionals at this London Branch meeting.

Thanks to everyone who helped and who came to the evening. We hope to see you again at our next London Branch event.

At Thomas Coram Early Years Centre, 10th June 2025

‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’, Tuesday 13th May, 2025
At Thomas Coram Nursery School

On 13th May the committee of the London Branch of Early Education organised a meeting about using instruments with young children. The event was a mixture of practical, theoretical and personal experiences. It was presented by different members of the committee who were able to bring their own perspectives to the theme.
We looked at how to organise instruments in the room for children to access and explore, and how to organise the children playing with them. We moved on to a practical activity where we used our marks to record music. This began with the marks we had made at the beginning of our session and extended into how to record the amount, length and volume of our tunes. We finished with some thoughts on how to use music with SEND children. Especially how effective simple, repetitive songs can be to help children with any activity and the experience of a child hiding under the table and not seeming to be taking part at all but then joining in with a song.
The evening was made all the more enjoyable by having something to eat and drink at the end of a long working day. Thank you to all the people who came and made this such a successful and enjoyable event. Everyone seemed so enthusiastic, and we hope to see you again at a future event.

Clare Devlin, speaking at Thomas Coram Early Years Centre.
This seminar on "Boutiquing" Outdoors, explored how curated, accessible materials can empower young children to think critically, make independent choices, and engage deeply with their learning.
Clare began her career as a Foundation Stage teacher before becoming a primary and early years adviser with her local Education Authority in 1995. As Director of Programmes with Early Years - the Organisation for Young Children, Clare played a pivotal role in developing the Sure Start Developmental Programme for Two & Three Year Olds in Northern Ireland.

Thursday 27 Feb. 2025

Early Education - London Branch AGM 2024 at Thomas Coram Nursery School

Sing something simple

This session was led by the Committee of London Branch. We are a group of early years professionals, with many years of experience between us.
The session took place at Thomas Coram Nursery School. it was an interesting and inspiring evening focusing on the importance of singing in the early years. It focused on remembering traditional rhymes, the impact on a child's overall development, particularly the impact on early communication.

This year’s AGM, held on Wednesday 28th June 2023 at Coram Nursery School was particularly special. Covid free and with all members of the committee present, we moved swiftly through the business of the AGM and once completed we set about celebrating 100 years of The British Association of Early Childhood Education in the only way we know how - strawberries and cream, Pimms, birthday cake, balloons, bunting and some creative play!

We were delighted that Early Education’s Chief Executive, Beatrice Merrick and the President, Cathy Nutbrown sent video messages of centenary congratulations, and one of the Vice Presidents, Tina Bruce, wrote a beautiful letter reminding us of where it all began.

Following the messages we unveiled our contribution to the centenary celebrations - ‘Developing Children’s Creative Imaginings – a guide for parents’. This is an interactive PDF, written and produced by the committee of the London Branch. We want it to inspire parents get creative their children in different ways. The booklet is free, and you can get it here,
https://early-education.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Developing-childrens-creative-imaginings.pdf or scanning the QR code


Please share it with everyone who has children!

Once the cake was cut, we relaxed for the rest of the evening with some weaving, sewing and clay. And special thanks go to Thelma Miller and Steve Grocott for their contribution.

A celebration of 100 years of Early Education and the launch of our online booklet

Wednesday 29th June 2022 at Thomas Coram Early Years Centre