Buzzing to be bringing the joy of Tales Toolkit to more settings and the chance to better understand its positive impact on children
90 settings will get Tales Toolkit fully funded (yes FREE!)
We're thrilled to be working with the Education Endowment Foundation and Stronger Practice Hubs, facilitating a pilot study in 30 settings that will explore the delivery of Tales toolkit in early years settings. This pilot continues our work with researchers, including our highly successful study with Goldsmiths University. An additional 60 settings will also have the opportunity to access Tales Toolkit fully funded.
Thanks to the hard work and creativity of all the practitioners in the Tales Toolkit community, the huge potential of our system is being recognised. We're so grateful for this funding and the opportunity to bring the power of story to more children.
We know how tight budgets are so we're really happy to be providing a Tales Toolkit package (including resources and training programme) valued at over £900 to almost 100 settings for FREE.
So Bursars, take a load off. Teachers, become part of our mission: give young children the power of storytelling and you'll empower them to write their own stories throughout their lives.
The sooner you apply the better chance you have of being selected.
The Project
The EEF and Stronger Practice Hubs are co-funding a project that is testing a selection of EY programmes that focus on different areas of early learning.
Tales Toolkit will be working with 4 Stronger Practice Hubs and a total of 90 settings over the next 2 years.
All 90 settings will have access to our package completely free for a year.
30 of the settings will have the chance to be part of a research project, contributing to the evidence base for Tales Toolkit.
Participants
Research Project Settings
Thames Valley Only
30 settings will have the opportunity to access Tales Toolkit free of charge as part of a research project.
Settings in the following local authorities are currently eligible:
- Bracknell Forest
- Reading
- Slough
- West Berkshire
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
Settings taking part in the research project have a little extra responsibility, but all tasks were designed with teacher time constraints in mind and compensation will be provided. Get more information on compensation here.
- Staff must complete all 5 training sessions.
- Carry out at least one Tales Toolkit session a week.
- Embed Tales Toolkit resources across your provision.
- Provide feedback to the evaluation team from the Institute of Employment Studies (promise it isn't too work heavy)
As a participant in this research project with EEF and the Thames Valley Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, you'll receive a treasure chest full of good stuff...
- Access to Tales Toolkit online training sessions.
- Funding contributing towards staff cover costs for staff participating in the training.
- A full set of Tales Toolkit classroom resources, including the famous Big Bags and Apron.
- Online resource library, including webinars with experts and printouts to expand on classroom activities.
- Become a member of our community of settings.
- Make a difference to children.
- Have fun with story.
- Be freed from constant planning - Tales Toolkit is designed to be Low-to-No Planning!
Subsidised Settings
Bristol, Kent and Birmingham
An additional 60 settings will have access to fully funded Tales Toolkit placements outside of the research project, funded by Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs: Bristol and Partners, Kent and HEART Midlands. 30 settings will start this academic year and another 30 the following year.
Settings in the following local authorities are currently eligible:
- Bristol
- Kent
- Birmingham
We expect all settings to be dedicated to getting the most from the membership.
- Staff should complete all 5 training sessions.
- Carry out regular Tales Toolkit sessions - we recommend at least once a week.
- Embed Tales Toolkit resources across your provision.
- Engage with Tales Toolkit to provide feedback and be active members of our community.
As a participant in this project with the SPHs, you'll receive a treasure chest full of good stuff...
- Access to Tales Toolkit online training sessions.
- 2 Full sets of Tales Toolkit classroom resources, including the famous Big Bags and Apron.
- Online resource library, including webinars with experts and printouts to expand on classroom activities.
- Become a member of our community of settings.
- Make a difference to children.
- Have fun with story.
- Be freed from constant planning - Tales Toolkit is designed to be Low-to-No Planning!
Follow these 2 steps:
1. Check if you are eligible:
- Settings must be based in one of the following local authorities: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, Kent, Bristol and Birmingham. Not sure which local authority you are in? Check here.
- Settings must work with 3-5 year olds.
- Settings must not be taking part in any other funded projects with the EEF.
- Settings must be entirely new to the Tales Toolkit system.
2. Fill in this form to register your interest in Tales Toolkit.
(Please note, filling out our form is an expression of interest and does not guarantee a place.)
Apply sooner for a better chance of being accepted.
If your setting is not selected, you will be eligible for a discount on our standard package.
Click here to see FAQs about this project or contact us at info@talestoolkit.com
What is the Education Endowment Foundation?
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity which aims to raise the attainment of 3-18 year-olds, particularly those facing disadvantage; develop their essential life skills; and prepare young people for the world of work and further study.
It does this by generating evidence of what works to improve teaching and learning, funding robust trials of high-potential programmes and approaches which have yet to be tested. The EEF then supports schools, nurseries and colleges across the country in using evidence so that it has the maximum possible benefit for young people.
When an educational programme receives the EEF stamp of approval it is a promise of quality and reliability. We are honoured to be included in these trials and can't wait to see what we discover together with the help of this incredible charity.
What are Stronger Practice Hubs?
Last summer, the government's Department for Education announced their plans for Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs as part of the post-covid recovery package. Hubs were picked based on their contributions to early education.
Hubs are spread across the UK, and the plan is to have 2 lead hubs in every government office region (18 in total). 12 have been chosen so far. The DfE is in the process of selecting the final 6 and is still accepting applications.
As part of this initiative, the EEF, Thames Valley Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, Bristol and Partners Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, Kent Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and HEART Midlands Early Years Stronger Practice are working together to fund early years settings access to Tales Toolkit.
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