The Reflective Early Years Practitioner

Work-based reflective learning is a key part of the professional development of practitioners working in the early years sector. The Reflective Early Years Practitioner focuses on the practitioner′s role and development within a wide range of contexts.

Packed with case studies from different settings, and with points for reflection in each chapter, the author covers:

• Developing as an early years practitioner
• Reflective vocational progression
• Pedagogical examples for Continuing Professional Development
• Study skills to begin reflective practice
• Professionalism and reflective leadership in the early years

Vital aspects of practice, such as identifying and planning for children with Special Educational Needs, developing inclusive teaching strategies and safeguarding young children, are highlighted within the chapters.

This is essential reading for students undertaking work-based and academic study in early years, and for those working towards graduate and professional qualifications. It provides readers with tools to practice work-based reflective learning on a daily basis, and going forward.

Dr Elaine Hallet has been involved in educating children, practitioners, educators, teachers and students over a career of thirty-six years and during this time has developed an understanding of how to nurture, scaffold and support children’s and adults’ learning and professional practice through meaningful contexts. She has worked as an early years teacher, advisory teacher and leader in a range of schools and nurseries, as a lecturer and leader with students in further and higher education, teaching on a range of early years initial training, post-qualifying, undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral programmes and sector-endorsed professional awards in early years and integrated centre leadership.

Elaine’s research includes, foundation degree graduates’ continuing professional development through work-based reflective learning, the development of professional identity, the role of graduate early years leaders in the leadership of learning. She is committed to continuing professional learning for development of professional practice and to supporting practitioners, educators and teachers on their reflective learning journeys of knowledge, understanding and discovery.  

 Elaine has recently retired from her role as Lecturer in Early Childhood at the Institute of Education: University College London. With a background in early years education and practice, Elaine is an established author, with a special interest in the education of young children and, practitioners, educators and teachers’ reflective continuing professional learning.