With inquiries from schools, daycare centres and teacher training providers in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada, WWO is extending its impact beyond the UK.  The success of its current 12 month pilot programme in Canada offers an exciting platform to take this forward in the future.

WWO in Canada
12 month pilot implementation programme of the Working With Others approach at Pumpkin Patch Daycare Centre, Hamilton, Ontario

Further to an initial visit to Ontario in March 2007, WWO is now collaborating with Pumpkin Patch Day Care Centre to roll out a 12 month implementation of the Working with Others approach.

In close collaboration with WWO in the UK Pumpkin Patch are currently working towards three key aims for their children, which they have phrased in terms of ‘I can’ statements:

1. I can take turns in a group
2. I can understand people’s emotions through their body language
3. I can see how my behaviour affects others.

Quarterly training and supervision from WWO in the UK, combined with ongoing support from Pumpkin Patch directors, Mary Pat Vollick and Sue Dorotea has provided an opportunity for staff to explore how the Working With Others approach can be used to build and enhance learning and positive relationships for all their children.

Working with a staff team of 24 the WWO approach is being implemented with children from 8 months to 5 years old and initial feedback from practitioners has been extremely positive, with staff already noticing a change in behaviours and relationships between children: children are observed to be demonstrating greater sensitivity and empathy for each other, as well improved communication skills and positive, inclusive attitudes to their peers.

If you would like to find out more, please ring 01273 704918 or email cathy.ota@workingwithothers.org.