Early learning and childcare – national induction resource - latest version: January 2023

The early learning and childcare (ELC) national induction resource has been developed to support individuals in their induction to delivering ELC – whether that is funded ELC or ELC that families purchase themselves - setting out how individuals can expect employers to support them in their new role.


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 SSSC hosts a learning zone which provides a wide range of free learning resources for ELC professionals. This includes a learning app to help build your understanding of child development, with a mix of essential reference material, information and real world activities to support your practice. Another useful learning app focuses on observing and recording of children's development. Both of these resources can be accessed via your phone or a tablet.

In addition, the SSSC has developed 23 Things Leadership, designed to help you engage in your own leadership development through bite-size pieces of learning and customise your learning experience according to your needs and interests.

The Care Inspectorate: The Hub

The Care Inspectorate Hub provides a 'one-stop-shop' 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 early learning and childcare settings. This includes: 'My

World Outdoors'; ''Out to Play' initial guidance plus 3 additional chapters; 'Getting Ready to Read'; 'Our Creative Journey'; 'Space to Grow'; 'Animal Magic'; 'Food Matters' and 'Gender Equal Play in Early Learning and Childcare'.

Education Scotland

Education Scotland is the Scottish Government executive agency that supports quality and improvement in Scottish education. The National Improvement Hubis a gateway to support resources, Curriculum for Excellence and examples of effective practice relating to early learning and childcare. It aims to support all ELC professionals, leaders and policy makers with an interest in, or responsibility for, early learning and childcare. This includes the national practice guidance for early years in Scotland; Realising the Ambition: Being Me(2020).

Early Years Scotland

Early Years Scotland (EYS) is a national membership organisation that offers a range of professional learning opportunities for members and non-members.

The Early Years Scotland Professional Learning Academy (EYS PLA) provides a diverse range of opportunities for CPL. Professional Learning Masterclasses are offered regularly and provide a focused input on a dedicated subject that reflects current professional learning needs within the sector. EYS Professional Learning sessions are accessible to all within the sector, and attendance at all EYS Professional Learning opportunities can be recorded as CPL/ PRTL.

Details of all professional learning opportunities can be found on the EYS website within the EYS professional learning area. EYS members can access all free/low cost EYS professional learning opportunities on their professional learning platform at a discounted rate. More details can be found online.

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is the UK's national membership organisation for day nurseries. NDNA provide online, face to face and open training opportunities to members to support with professional learning and development. NDNA offer courses in business and management, early years best practice, safeguarding and child protection. There are also a range of course designed specifically for practice in Scotland.

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) is the largest third sector childcare organisation in Highland and Moray. CALA offer a range of tutor facilitated virtual learning sessions, in addition to in-person professional learning opportunities across Scotland, in which course delivery can be tailored to meet 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. CALA's Practitioner Portal web page is packed with sector related news and information.

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.

Contact

Email: Haylay.Forbes@gov.scot

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