NACC Leadership Biography

Claire Warden

B.ED Hons, Dip Drama

Claire Warden is an educational consultant who has developed her approach to experiential learning through a variety of experiences. Her experiences have taken her on a pathway that includes working in a variety of types of centre, advisory work, and ultimately to lecturing in further education.

As a lecturer in Primary Education at Strathclyde University, the development of training strategies and course creation have been applied to the dynamic and creative work currently undertaken by her company called Mindstretchers.

Mindstretchers was set up as a training consultancy in 1996. It has now grown to develop many aspects such as a project approach called 'The Living Classroom' which explores sensorial and experiential learning in challenging outdoor spaces across Scotland; resources and the publication of materials.

Claire Warden is an author of many books and materials relating to early years methodology. These include 'The Potential of a Puddle' that details National vision and values for outdoor play; 'Talking and Thinking Floorbooks' which presents the planning methodology that supports consultation and democracy in early education; 'The Right to be Me' which explores the rights of young children to high quality provision and 'Nurture through Nature' which explores working with children under three outside.

The pathway has recently taken her on to set up Whistlebrae Nature Kindergarten in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, United Kingdom. This outdoor nursery, works with children from 2-6 yrs old. The ethos is based on the rights of a child to high quality care. The three spaces of inside, garden and the wild wood are designed to develop skills and confidence in the natural world. The whole environment is eco-friendly, down to fair trade resources, organic food and alternative energy sources.

Claire is one of a leadership group of consultants who make up the World Nature Collaborative. The purpose of the group is to develop a cohesive network and approach to experiential learning in outdoor spaces in a variety of climates. The nature collaborative brings together educators, landscape architects, environmentalists and health workers to support a multidisciplinary approach to outdoor educational provision. Claire is the European education co-ordinator and as such would invite you to join the collaborative and take forward children's right to outdoor play around the world.

Articles are available from www.mindstretchers.co.uk.