Early learning and childcare: induction resource

This induction resource provides new ELC employees with all the relevant information they need on what to expect in their first few months in post, including the most up-to-date resources and best practice.


Leading Partner Resources

National resources to support your professional learning 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 practitioners. 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'; '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 Hub is a gateway to support resources, Curriculum for Excellence and examples of best practice, relating to early learning and childcare. It aims to support all ELC practitioners, leaders and policy makers with an interest in, or responsibility for, early learning and childcare.

This includes the new national practice guidance for early years in Scotland; Realising the Ambition: Being Me (2020). This key document refreshes and reflects the original principles of the Building the Ambition (2014), incorporating and updating relevant aspects of the previous Pre-Birth to Three guidance. Realising the Ambition: Being Me complements the current policy direction of ELC and early primary education by extending across the child's learning journey into the early years of primary school.

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 develop and delivers face to face training for practitioners/parents/carers and volunteers in Highland and other areas in Scotland.

CALA learning and development offers a range of online learning including practitioner networking and free or low cost e-modules, for example a suite of Child Protection and Healthy Eating related certificated courses. All e-learning courses are open to members and non-members, as is the Practitioner Portal packed with information updates, CPL opportunities and guidance.

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: Sarah.Guy@gov.scot

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