Following the TAIP Spring Conference 2026 on Saturday, April 25, we invited participants to share their reflections. Here is what Dale Berry (Berry English International Preschool) had to say.
As someone in a leadership role at a mixed-pedagogy setting, it is always important to be exposed to as many different educators' perspectives as possible. It helps us decide what we think is best for the children currently in our care, while also challenging our own current practices. Saturday's event felt like it was tailor-made for someone like me.
I was able to see both the differences and the common ground between multiple approaches, shared by passionate and knowledgeable educators in their fields. It was especially valuable to be in a space where we could ask questions, openly discuss, and see the thought and passion behind each approach. My team and I felt included in the discussion, rather than passive witnesses to a lecture, and the overarching theme of the day was clear: we all care deeply about what we do, and we all want the best for the children entrusted to us. The differences are in the ways we express and apply that shared desire.
Personally, Anne's session on her Reggio-inspired approach, and her clear passion for the children at her wonderful school, reminded me to "trust the child." We can sometimes get lost in our expectations and outcome-driven pressures, so it is important to bring to the forefront of our minds that there is an amazing human at the centre of all this, with their own drives, ambitions, and potential. I believe we are there to help that person along on their journey and allow them to see all the possibilities, not to draw the map for them or tell them there is only one path. Anne helped bring me back to that centre.
Joshua's session was particularly interesting for me as we had faced the same challenges with our shared framework (EYFS), and it was really interesting to see how they had approached those same challenges in slightly different, yet surprisingly similar ways. Joshua's openness to sharing their experience was refreshing and insightful.
As for my team, I noticed that Ayumi's session, and the fantastic things she provides in her setting, had clearly sparked ideas and motivation in our youngest class teachers. This morning, I walked into a wonderful diorama of loose parts displayed all over the room, inspired by what they had seen in the afternoon session. They obviously couldn't wait to put into practice what they had seen.
All of the sessions were extremely valuable and led to some fantastic discussions with my team. I am very glad and grateful that we were able to participate. TAIP has been a wonderful bridge between my team and other passionate educators, and it is a real pleasure to be exposed to such a thoughtful community of like-minded professionals, with an amazing team at TAIP helping to tie it all together.
Dale Berry
Head of School, Berry English International Preschool