How a staff team works together and how effective and cohesive they are impacts significantly on the children that they care for as well as having implications for the general early years practice and the success of the business of the setting. Drawing together theory and practice, this book provides comprehensive guidance on assertive communication and offers a range of clear, practical strategies that are easy to implement in the early years setting. The Assertive Practitioner aims to distinguish between assertive, passive, aggressive and passive aggressive communication so that early years practitioners can gain confidence, become more self-aware, reflect on their own practice and develop their effective communication skills. Divided into three parts: 'what is assertiveness', 'using it' and 'developing it', the authors consider the skills of good communication and assertiveness in the early years setting, offering practical guidance on: Recruitment, induction, ongoing staff training and supervision; Disciplinary processes including handling difficult conversations and refocusing a team after a critical incident; Staff relationships with parents and other professionals; Involving the team in problem solving and implementing change; Engaging with the community; How to get support for yourself as a manager. Packed full of practical strategies and case studies, this timely new book will be invaluable support for all those wanting to enhance and improve professional practice and relationships in the early years setting.

How a staff team works together and how effective and cohesive they are impacts significantly on the children that they care for as well as having implications for the general early years practice and the success of the business of the setting. Drawing together theory and practice, this book provides comprehensive guidance on assertive communication and offers a range of clear, practical strategies that are easy to implement in the early years setting. The Assertive Practitioner aims to distinguish between assertive, passive, aggressive and passive aggressive communication so that early years practitioners can gain confidence, become more self-aware, reflect on their own practice and develop their effective communication skills. Divided into three parts: 'what is assertiveness', 'using it' and 'developing it', the authors consider the skills of good communication and assertiveness in the early years setting, offering practical guidance on: Recruitment, induction, ongoing staff training and supervision; Disciplinary processes including handling difficult conversations and refocusing a team after a critical incident; Staff relationships with parents and other professionals; Involving the team in problem solving and implementing change; Engaging with the community; How to get support for yourself as a manager. Packed full of practical strategies and case studies, this timely new book will be invaluable support for all those wanting to enhance and improve professional practice and relationships in the early years setting.

How a staff team works together and how effective and cohesive they are impacts significantly on the children that they care for as well as having implications for the general early years practice and the success of the business of the setting. Drawing together theory and practice this book provides comprehensive guidance on recruiting, supervising and leading an early years team in line with the most recent national guidance. Focusing on all aspects of leading and supporting a team, the book aims to inspire managers and increase their confidence. It looks at the day-to-day demands of running a setting and the reflective thinking that is needed to establish a vision for a team. The authors consider the skills needed to lead and support a team and offers practical guidance on: recruitment, induction, ongoing staff training and supervision disciplinary processes including handling difficult conversations, refocusing a team after a critical incident staff relationships with parents and other professionals involving the team in problem solving and implementing change engaging with the community how to get support for yourself as a manager This book will be invaluable support for both new and experienced managers wanting to establish a cohesive and dynamic staff team and provide outstanding childcare provision.

In the era of globalization debate has turned to the vital need for a thorough understanding of its impact on the spirituality and health of the youth of today. Spiritual Education in a Divided World recognises the urgent need for effective research in this area. This exceptional volume takes an interdisciplinary approach to tackle the key questions. Bringing together leading international experts, including Zygmunt and Mary Grey, the book combines research and training issues with practical professional experiences. The first section examines how globalized patterns of economics, conflict and consumerism are affecting the spirituality and imagination of children, young people and their families. In the second and third sections, practical responses from research and from professional experience are presented and critically evaluated. Readers in professions across teaching, youth work, social work, chaplaincy, nursing, mental health, as well as those concerned with community economics and environmental issues, will find in this volume an exciting, diverse and coherent collection of essays which offers wider perspectives on their work. This book was previously published as a special issue of The International Journal of Children's Spirituality.

In the era of globalization debate has turned to the vital need for a thorough understanding of its impact on the spirituality and health of the youth of today. Spiritual Education in a Divided World recognises the urgent need for effective research in this area. This exceptional volume takes an interdisciplinary approach to tackle the key questions. Bringing together leading international experts, including Zygmunt and Mary Grey, the book combines research and training issues with practical professional experiences. The first section examines how globalized patterns of economics, conflict and consumerism are affecting the spirituality and imagination of children, young people and their families. In the second and third sections, practical responses from research and from professional experience are presented and critically evaluated. Readers in professions across teaching, youth work, social work, chaplaincy, nursing, mental health, as well as those concerned with community economics and environmental issues, will find in this volume an exciting, diverse and coherent collection of essays which offers wider perspectives on their work. This book was previously published as a special issue of The International Journal of Children's Spirituality.

How a staff team works together and how effective and cohesive they are impacts significantly on the children that they care for as well as having implications for the general early years practice and the success of the business of the setting. Drawing together theory and practice this book provides comprehensive guidance on recruiting, supervising and leading an early years team in line with the most recent national guidance. Focusing on all aspects of leading and supporting a team, the book aims to inspire managers and increase their confidence. It looks at the day-to-day demands of running a setting and the reflective thinking that is needed to establish a vision for a team. The authors consider the skills needed to lead and support a team and offers practical guidance on: recruitment, induction, ongoing staff training and supervision disciplinary processes including handling difficult conversations, refocusing a team after a critical incident staff relationships with parents and other professionals involving the team in problem solving and implementing change engaging with the community how to get support for yourself as a manager This book will be invaluable support for both new and experienced managers wanting to establish a cohesive and dynamic staff team and provide outstanding childcare provision.

Volume III of the "Spirituality and Ethics in Education" series bring together textual, empirical and pedagogical approaches to enriching spiritual education as a significant multi-disciplinary and cross-curricular influence in the modern world. The chapters presented have been selected from international contributions presented at the 3rd International Conference on Spiritual Education. The writers include prominent international researchers in the discipline from the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia and China. The strengths of the book lie in its international appeal, research-based orientation, and interdisciplinary character. The book will be the first coherent presentation of spiritual education as a distinctive field of academic enquiry in its own right.