Outdoors Thinking

Pine cones and sticks

Northern Ireland

Partnering with well-recognised early education consultancy

March 2022 – May 2023 & Sept 2022 – Oct 2023

Overview of arrangement

Working closely with education consultant Clare Devlin a 20-place pilot programme took place in Dungannon on a week day, 33% subsidised by Outdoors Thinking. This course particularly aimed to support Sure Start services for 2- and 3-year-old children, but also included participants working in Preschool and Foundation Stage classes in schools.

Clare also advised on programme development during this pilot period and now leads on recruitment and delivery of the courses in Northern Ireland.

NI02 & NI03 Sept 2022 – Oct 2023

Due to considerable interest from schools across the six counties of Northern Ireland, two self-funded courses have been running concurrently in Bellaghy on week days, directed at Foundation Stage teachers and teaching assistants.

NI04 Sept 2023 – Jan 2024

Module 1: Creating Rich Experiences will be running in Dungannon on a week day, open to all provider types.

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Clare Devlin - Early Education Consultancy designs and delivers bespoke training and mentoring for individual practitioners and the following types of organisations:

  • Primary schools
  • Nursery schools
  • Pre-school settings
  • Day Care settings
  • Parent groups
  • SureStart projects
  • Health Trusts
  • Childcare Partnerships
  • Education Authority
  • Colleges of further and higher education

This service includes:

  • Onsite observation and discussion in relation to current practice
  • Development of action plans
  • Strategies for moving practice forward
  • Follow up onsite or Zoom meetings as requested
Dough and pine cones