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Five students standing under an Italian sign indoors

In June 2025, two members of childcare staff – lecturer Lucy Davies and assessor Janice Short – accompanied five learners on a study visit to Montecatini in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Over the four days, the group experienced the culture and beautiful scenery and hospitality, as well as visiting a local school to observe and compare the practice in childcare and education provision.

The school visit involved visiting the classrooms in a privately funded Catholic school in the town where the group were staying. Upon arrival they met with local education advisors and school staff and were given a tour of the school. 

The learners were interested to see the stripped back nature of the classrooms and the lack of ICT whiteboards and other technology. The learner was very much child focused and the learning areas for the youngest children replicated home environments and minimal resources which would encourage the children to use their imaginations and take a child led approach. 

During the stay the students were able to visit the famous cities of Pisa and Florence and observe sights such as the Leaning Tower, Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s food market, Piazza del Duomo and Giotto’s Bell tower which gave them an appreciation of the heritage, art and culture in this area.

Staff and students are grateful for the opportunity given to the childcare department through Taith funding.

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