Revisiting Home Visits in Early Years

In this guide, we take a deeper look at 'home visits’ to reflect on whether we can adjust the way we approach them in order to make the experience more accessible, equitable and valuable for everyone involved. It provides an opportunity to pause, reflect and question what we do, why we do it and whether we could do it differently to better meet the needs and aspirations of all the children and families in our unique settings.

About the Author

Sarah Holmes is a mother and early years educator with many years of experience in childcare, including childminding, Forest School, nursery and primary education. She is currently working as a key person within the nursery class of a large primary school in the North-East of England. Sarah recently completed a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at The University of Sheffield, which included her project exploring children’s experiences as they travelled from home to nursery. She is now a doctoral student on the EdD at the University of Sheffield.

The 'Walking to Nursery’ project afforded Sarah with opportunities to reflect on her practice and observe children with alternative lenses. Furthermore, ideas generated from an educator walking with children prompts us to consider how interacting with families in spaces 'in-between’ homes and settings can support the development of meaningful relationships in practice.