Froebelian Futures project continues Moray House’s commitment to  early childhood education

Investment in a Froebelian future 

In 2021, the Froebel Trust invested £1 million in early childhood education in the United Kingdom. The Froebelian Futures project received almost half of the investment, which it used to revolutionise pedagogical approaches. With a collaborative ethos at its core, the Froebelian Futures project broadened the reach of Froebelian principles through comprehensive training for early years educators.

It feels more necessary now than ever to celebrate children’s multiple childhoods and drive forward child-centred practices. We are particularly interested in the entanglement and complexity of children’s lives, believing that diversity matters.

Dr Lynn McNair OBE

Under the leadership of Dr Lynn McNair from Moray House and Lian Higgins from Cowgate Under 5s, the project engaged with local authorities across Scotland, as well as with international partners in the Czech Republic and Greece, to drive forward Froebelian leadership and innovation. Over the last three years, the partnership undertook comprehensive research, developing best practices and actively engaging with communities to shape the future of early childhood education through evidence-based insights. With the remaining funding, the project leads will invest in developing leadership over the next two years.

Dr Lynn McNair and Moray House 

Renowned for her dedication to research and teaching, Dr Lynn McNair’s work extends beyond academia, influencing practices on a national and international scale. McNair has an extensive track record of research endeavours and publications and actively contributes to higher education institutions such as the University of Strathclyde and the Open University, where she serves as an external examiner and reviewer. 

McNair was invited to consult with the BBC  in shaping their early childhood programmes, a testament to her established reputation and dedication to advancing the field of early childhood practice. Passionate about staying ahead of the latest developments in her field, McNair prioritises the dissemination of research to her students, viewing research and teaching as equally vital components of education. She actively seeks feedback from students on her research papers, appreciating their input and integrating it into her teaching materials. 

My aim has always been to cause thought in higher education, not to tell students what they need to learn. Research enables me to do that.

Dr Lynn McNair OBE

In 2009, McNair and four nursery head teachers joined to promote the Froebelian approach in Edinburgh, set up by the Edinburgh Froebel Network. Through annual conferences emerged the Froebel and Early Childhood Practice online course at Moray House (now Froebel in Childhood Practice) in 2010, and in 2012 an award-winning book, 

Taking part in the course has helped shape my practice and pedagogy. It came at the right time, as much in Early Years is changing and we are adapting practice to meet the needs of learners in a way suitable to their interests. I am very thankful that I have experienced it and my children will gain from it too.

Anonymous

In 2021, Moray House hosted the International Froebel Society Conference, which was opened by the former Head of School, Professor Richard Andrews, with McNair as the keynote speaker. McNair takes an active and leading role in the Froebel annual conference, which provides an opportunity for professional learning students to present their work to other early years practitioners, academic scholars and policymakers. 

A book written by Moray House Froebel students titled 

‘Influential and thought-provoking’

McNair and Moray House have long been proponents of teaching Froebelian principles. The success of our online course Froebel and Early Childhood Practice  led McNair to create our  MSc Education: Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway in 2019. The Froebel courses and approach have been highly successful at Moray House. McNair commented, “my original plan to bring Froebel to Moray House has surpassed my expectations”. An anonymous student said, “Froebel has been one of the most influential and thought-provoking courses. I feel it should be mandatory for all new teachers and practitioners”.

The Froebel Childhood Practice course has trained almost 5,000 students and the MSc Early Childhood Practice and Froebel programme has trained 125 students. Both attract a diverse cohort of local, national and international students. Notably, independent researchers Siraj and Kingston recommended the Froebel Childhood Practice course to the Scottish Government after observing its implementation in early learning and childcare settings and engaging with practitioners. Their findings offered compelling evidence of the course's positive impact in enhancing outcomes in teaching and learning.

Graduates of the Froebel and Childhood Practice programmes have significantly influenced national guidance, demonstrating the integration of Froebelian principles into everyday early years practice. The work conducted by Moray House in the Froebelian realm has attracted both small and large grants, enabling the expansion of higher education teacher/practitioner training courses.

I absolutely loved this course. As a senior practitioner, this course has changed my views and visions within my practice which I have implemented within my setting... I have learned so much and I am looking forward to the Froebelian Futures course.

Anonymous

Graduates of the Froebel and Childhood Practice programmes have significantly influenced national guidance, demonstrating the integration of Froebelian principles into everyday early years practice. The influence of Froebel's work is evident in early years policy, notably in the recent national guidance document,

Related information:

Froebel and Childhood Practice Academic Year Course 2024/25

MSc Education: Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway

Froebelian Futures

Early Childhood Practice Froebel Today

Froebel Trust's website

Realising the ambition: Being Me

Dr Lynn McNair