ABSTRACT
In 2006, Redcliffe Nursery School and Children’s Centre was invited to take part in an innovative project called 5×5×5=creativity to promote creativity, curiosity and critical thinking in Early Years settings. We were given an artist, Jo Ingleby, who said she worked with a wide variety of visual arts. Our task was then to think together as educators and artist to develop an approach that supported children’s creativity. In our discussions with Jo (who would be coming in one afternoon a week for about 6 months) we realised her passion was more with food and that she was an experienced chef who had worked in a celebrated restaurant. I had worked with young children with food in an open way when I was a primary teacher, but really had only scratched the surface of what was possible in this area. Many questions arose including how we would even start this project about food. Together, Carole Keane, the educator, and Jo Ingleby, the artist/chef, in collaboration with staff, children, parents and governors of Redcliffe Nursery School and Children’s Centre, took up the challenge of working with children, with food as a provocation. This has been a long journey which will continue to grow.
