Supporting toddler's wellbeing

This paper aims to explore how disadvantaged toddlers’ wellbeing can be supported by working with Early Years Practitioners (EYPs) to underpin their knowledge and understanding of wellbeing through development of a manual, audit tool, training and job shadowing developing strategies to enhance their practice and provision. The ToWe Project builds upon the work carried out as part of the TODDLER Project. The UNICEF wellbeing report cards (UNICEF, 2007, 2011) underpin the manual and audit tool. Seven dimensions: 1. Family, Home and Environmental Factors 2. Health of the Toddlers 3. Setting Environment - Current Practice and Provision 4. Development and Learning With links made to: 5. Toddlers’ Voice and Expressions 6. Toddlers’ Language(s) 7. Toddlers’ Meal Times Action research and case study approach was applied to this project. With focus group interviews, discussion foci and reflective sessions used to gather qualitative data. Applicable ethical guidance BERA and Kingston University adhered to with informed consent gained from EYPs whose identities were anonymised. The ToWe Project is still in progress. The focus group findings have been very encouraging as EYPs have identified the positive impact that the manual and audit tool has had, as they reflected upon the wellbeing of toddlers and develop their provision through different strategies. The wellbeing manual, audit tool and strategies will be available on the ToWe Project website for EYP to access to develop their knowledge and understanding of toddler wellbeing. The manual and audit tool will support EYPs reflection and improvement of practice through the identified strategies