Early learning and childcare: national induction resource

Appendix A

Leading Partner Resources

National resources to support your professional learning and development have also been produced by a range of professional bodies that support the sector.

SSSC

The Scottish Government has worked with the SSSC to develop a ‘one stop shop’ Continuous Professional Learning Portal, specifically for the childcare profession. The portal brings together learning resources from a range of training providers including the Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland, Scottish Government and SSSC. Those include modules on speech and language development and responding to additional support needs. All resources are quality assured and designed to support your practice.

The Care Inspectorate: The Hub

The Care Inspectorate Hub provides access to a range of resources aimed at supporting improvement in the social care and social work sectors. This includes:

• A library of good practice guidance
• Information on the latest developments in policy and legislation
• Video based examples of innovative practice
• Toolkits and resources aimed at supporting improvement

There have been a number of resources produced by the Care Inspectorate to support effective practice in ELC settings. These include:

‘My World Outdoors’; ‘Space to Grow and Thrive’; ‘Getting Ready to Read’; ‘Our Creative Journey’; Animal Magic’; ‘Food Matters’, ‘Gender Equal Play in Early Learning and Childcare’ and ‘My Active World’.

Education Scotland

Education Scotland is the Scottish Government executive agency that supports quality and improvement in Scottish education. The National Improvement Hub is a gateway to support resources, Curriculum for Excellence and examples of effective practice relating to ELC. It aims to support all ELC professionals, leaders and policy makers with an interest in, or responsibility for, ELC. This includes the national practice guidance for early years in Scotland; Realising the Ambition: Being Me.

Early Years Scotland

Early Years Scotland (EYS) is a registered charity and Scotland’s leading national specialist organisation dedicated to giving every child the best start in life, from pre-birth to five years.

EYS is passionate about supporting the entire ELC profession to feel confident, skilled, and valued. Their professional learning opportunities and wellbeing resources are open to everyone because high-quality experiences for children begin with a strong, supported workforce. Through their training, webinars, and bespoke sessions, they aim to inspire practice and strengthen knowledge across Scotland. The EYS Team ELC Wellbeing Hub offers free resources to help nurture resilience and wellbeing, recognising the vital role of those who care for our youngest children.

For those who choose to become members, EYS provide additional tools and guidance through MyEYS, along with direct support and opportunities to connect and influence sector developments. “Whatever stage you’re at, EYS is here to help you grow your knowledge, skills, and confidence”.

Explore the full membership offer in the Membership Guide and discover upcoming training and events on the Professional Learning page.

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is the UK’s national membership organisation for day nurseries. NDNA provide face to face, live online, and self-directed online training opportunities to members to support with a wide range of professional learning and development. NDNA offer courses in leadership and management as well as early years best practice. There are also a range of publications available to members. The Scotland team publish a leaflet regularly to support members in choosing the right resource for them.

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) is the largest third sector childcare organisation in Highland and Moray. In addition to being a large scale provider of ELC & SAC, CALA offer a range of services including Quality Assurance, practice support, tutor facilitated virtual and in-person professional learning sessions across Scotland. Course delivery and content can be tailored to specific needs as required. CALA learning and development host a suite of free to all or low-cost e-modules including a suite of Child Protection and Healthy Eating related certificated courses.

In addition to the professional bodies that support the ELC sector, there are other organisations that provide relevant training. The national training directory mentioned above will help you to identify what is available in your area.