Background
Stage two of my research has centred around conversation and reflection with a range of teachers who either currently, or have previously, worked as nursery teachers in Scotland. The voice and experience of those who have worked within the sector is integral to my research.
By December 2023 I had spoken with 8 teachers across 5 of Scotland’s 6 Regional Improvement Collaboratives (RICs).
By locating teachers across Scotland’s RICs, the data provides a view to the breadth of experience across regions.
Regional Improvement Collaboratives
For information, Scotland’s 6 RICs and their local authority members are highlighted in the infographic shown:
Process of Interview and Reflection
Interviews
The interview process involves an initial 1-hour introductory interview, followed by a period of guided reflection before finishing with a final 1.5-hour interview. Those who participate will be invited to discuss their own experience as an early years teacher. It is expected that participant time commitment is around 4 hours over the course of several months.
The interviews are held online via Zoom (or Microsoft Teams) and involve a semi-structured approach with questions provided to participants in advance.
During the first interview, the initial data gathered through the questionnaire is shared, helping to scaffold the discussion.
During the second interview, the matryoshka doll created by participants is used as an object to reflect on and discuss. The aim of this stage is to better understand the experience of early years teachers from within the individual contexts presented by participants.
Reflection
Between the first and second interview, participants are provided with a pedagogical reflection pack which focusses on the factors that have influenced their identity as an early years teacher. Participants are directed to reflect using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model.
A comprehensive resource pack is provided to support each step of the reflection process:
The resources include; an informative SWAY document, a printed information pack detailing the process, key reflective questions, a blank wooden matryoshka doll, and art materials for writing on/customising the doll. The reflection process is accessible to all, encouraging flexibility in design. Those who have participated so far have been extremely complimentary of the process and in their enjoyment of the opportunity to reflect.
What Next…
Many thanks to those who have supported my research by participating so far. The data collected is extremely rich and provides powerful examples of experience across Scotland.
To help in achieving as wide a representation as possible, I will be reaching out to teachers within the South West Collaborative to hopefully recruit further participants for interview. I plan to continue the interview and reflection stage of the research until the end of February 2024.
If you are, or were, a GTCS registered teacher who worked as a nursery teacher within any of the following councils I’d love to speak with you:
East Ayrshire
North Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
Dumfries and Galloway
I have attached an information sheet below for anyone who is interested in participating – you can either e-mail me a signed copy, or you can e-mail me direct for a signable PDF document.
As I am nearing the end of this stage, places are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.
I look forward to sharing more about my research as it progresses.
Who are Early Years Teachers in Scotland? 