Play: What, why & how?
This session has been designed to give a fundamental understanding of play to those members of staff and volunteers who […]
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Play and learning
Refreshing the ambition – five key surprises in Realising the Ambition
The national guidance for Early Years: Realising the Ambition has been out for a while now. For many of us,
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Are the kids OK? Why are we still seeing greater need and what can we do?
The COVID pandemic was a few years ago now, but its effects are continuing, and so is the cost of
Are the kids OK? Why are we still seeing greater need and what can we do? Read More »
Behaviour is communication – but what does it say?
There are lots of different views about how we should understand and respond to children’s behaviour, but most people are
Behaviour is communication – but what does it say? Read More »
Coaching for managers and leaders
Providing high quality early learning and childcare is one of the most important jobs anyone can do for children and
Coaching for managers and leaders Read More »
Next level schemas – from action to learning and thinking
Schemas are most often described as repeated patterns of behaviour seen in the play of young children, such as transporting,
Next level schemas – from action to learning and thinking Read More »
Not “too young”! Making rights and equalities real in ELC
Scotland has recently put the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child into domestic law. Guidance and inspection frameworks
Not “too young”! Making rights and equalities real in ELC Read More »
Froebel in childhood practice course
This course is designed for professionals working with young children, for example in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) or early
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Curriculum for Excellence: Early years (3-5 Years)
The aim of this course is to introduce the Curriculum for Excellence and provide an understanding of how it works
Curriculum for Excellence: Early years (3-5 Years) Read More »
Curriculum for Excellence: Early years (3-5 Years)
The aim of this course is to introduce the Curriculum for Excellence and provide an understanding of how it works
Curriculum for Excellence: Early years (3-5 Years) Read More »
Realising the Ambition
This course aims to support your understanding and knowledge of ‘Realising the Ambition: Being Me’ and how childminders can implement
Realising the Ambition Read More »
Realising the Ambition
This course aims to support your understanding and knowledge of ‘Realising the Ambition: Being Me’ and how childminders can implement
Realising the Ambition Read More »
Bumps2Bairns
Bumps2Bairns.com provides advice on all aspects of children’s development from pre-birth to starting school, including identifying what is “normal” and
Observation: The Power of Noticing, Understanding and Responding
These sessions will explore how to support and improve high quality observations through self study, moderated forums and regular live
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National STEM CPL Module
The module aims to address the following learning outcomes: Using inspiring, child-led and play-based approaches to develop children’s early learning
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Building confidence in identifying and responding to additional support needs
After completing this course you should be able to: Identify the broad range of additional support needs that children in
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Supporting the Development and Progression of Children’s Early Language and Literacy
Your learning will cover the following learning outcomes: How are early language and literacy linked to and build on other
Supporting the Development and Progression of Children’s Early Language and Literacy Read More »
Supporting Parents to Further Engage in Their Child’s Development
By the end of this module you will be able to: Fully appreciate the role that parents play in supporting
Supporting Parents to Further Engage in Their Child’s Development Read More »
Understanding the Social Factors which may Impact on Children’s Outcomes in the Early Years
In this module, you will develop an understanding of: How a range of social factors can impact on children’s health,
Child development
This resource is an easy reference for information, including Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC), Wellbeing Indicators (SHANARRI), Building
Observing children
You can practice recording observations of children’s development in this free learning resource from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
Observing children Read More »
Skills for School & Life
Learning outcomes include: Increased insight into activity analysis and grading to promote optimal independence
Skills for School & Life Read More »
MSN Awareness
Learning outcomes include: An increased appreciation of common MSN conditions and their co-exisiting presentations. Improved insight into MSN related factors
Playwork Intervention Approaches
This course covers playwork intervention styles – approaches that adults can use to facilitate play and to work with individual
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Risk and Play
This training course explores various aspects of risk in children’s play. It is relevant to people working with (or responsible for
Play and Resilience
The session looks at play in relation to Adverse Childhood Experiences and its potential to be a protective factor for
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Loose Parts Play
This training course introduces the concept of loose parts and explores the benefits this offers children in their play setting.
Introduction to Play
This course provides an overview of playwork research and practice regarding self-directed play. It is ideal for those new to
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Risky Play, Safer Learning!
Develop practitioner confidence in supporting children to assess and manage risks during their everyday experiences. Duration: Full Day What will
Risky Play, Safer Learning! Read More »
Pre Birth to Three
Every interaction counts – provide the highest quality care to babies and toddlers with NDNA Scotland’s popular training course. What
Pre Birth to Three Read More »
Promoting Positive Behaviour
Strategies to support and promote positive behaviour in young children Duration: Half day Who should attend: Suitable for practitioners working
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Outdoor Maths and Literacy
Explore the developmental benefits of outdoor maths and literacy for children. In February 2018, as part of the 1140 hours
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Outdoor and Risky Play
Be confident your outdoor environment supports risky play for all children. Duration: Half day Who should attend: All practitioners Level:
Outdoor and Risky Play Read More »
Understanding and supporting transitions in ELC
Duration: Half Day What will I learn?
Understanding and supporting transitions in ELC Read More »
The Art of Open Ended Play
Engagement with this course will support practitioners to explore how to; •develop a highly engaging and creative environment for children•understand
The Art of Open Ended Play Read More »
Involving, Engaging and Connecting with Parents
This online Self Study Course looks at how practitioners can work with families to share their focus on the importance
Involving, Engaging and Connecting with Parents Read More »
Recognising and Supporting Schematic Play
This course is the first in a series of courses to support effective early years practice and will inspire you
Recognising and Supporting Schematic Play Read More »
Understanding Autism
This workshop provides our most up to date understanding of autism and includes examples of how autism affects different people
Understanding Autism Read More »
Starcatchers Creative Skills in Early Childhood Practice SQA
For those who have completed the Creative Skills Training Programme, there is the opportunity to continue their learning and turn
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Starcatchers’ Creative Skills Training Programme
Develop your creative confidence to put expressive arts at the heart of early years practice and create inspirational learning spaces
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The importance of play in learning
The importance of play in learning covers the following topics: The policy context for play in Scotland, what is play
The importance of play in learning Read More »
Loose Parts Play Training
Loose parts aren’t prescriptive and offer limitless possibilities. A stick, for example, may become a fishing rod, a tool to
Loose Parts Play Training Read More »
Outdoor Play and Learning Training
We deliver a wide range of tailored outdoor play and learning opportunities and like for our training to be designed
Outdoor Play and Learning Training Read More »
Understanding Behavioural Challenges
This course is an interactive workshop where we look at the causes of behaviour and techniques to de-escalate situations, to
Understanding Behavioural Challenges Read More »
Introduction to Signalong
The aims of this workshop are to understand the purpose and use of sign-supported communication, and how to use signing
Introduction to Signalong Read More »
Outdoors What Ever the Weather
A one day course packed with practical play and learning ideas – to make the most of our variable UK
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Outdoors EY practitioner – 1140 hours
This long term course is ideal for nurseries seeking to support the expansion of hours through better and more effective
Outdoors EY practitioner – 1140 hours Read More »
My World Outdoors
Practical workshop involving the participation of the whole EY staff team in a setting. We help build on ideas, assessing
Nurturing Nature (Early Years)
A series of 8 sessions, taking staff, parents and children outdoors, supporting attachment and bonding through natural play. Max of
Nurturing Nature (Early Years) Read More »
Managing risk in play
Managing risk in play covers the following themes: the policy context for play in Scotland, including guidance from the regulator,
Managing risk in play Read More »
Play Types Toolkit
The Play Types Toolkit training is for schools and education professionals, and others working with children in various settings. The
Play Types Toolkit Read More »
Nature Play and Nurture
3-day learner-centred CPL plus observation visit to Nature Play and Nurture session. For all Early Years staff (age 2 up to early
Nature Play and Nurture Read More »
Nature Play and Nurture consultancy
Nature play in your grounds – audit and suggestions Light touch grounds development, such as willow domes, landscape planting and
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Level 1 Award in Forest School Ethos and Principles
A 3-day Open Colleges Network-accredited introduction to Forest School combining lots of outdoor experience with some indoor information and theory
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Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders
This 10-day training course is the nationally recognised level required if you want to lead at Forest School. The first
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Outdoor First Aid for Forest School and Outdoor Woodland Learning
Our Forest School and Outdoor Learning Practitioners first aid course is a 2-day (16 hour) first aid course, tailored to requirements of
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Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants
f you want to develop as an assistant at Forest School level 2 training is for you. This 5-day training
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Aiding Better Communication
There are several teaching techniques and communication systems helpful to support a variety of daily living activities and skills. In
Aiding Better Communication Read More »
Inclusive Play
Our inclusive play training aims to develop your inclusive play practice, and build your confidence in creating dynamic and imaginative
Building Brains for Healthy Futures
This course is one in a series of Early Years Scotland mini self study courses to support effective early years
Building Brains for Healthy Futures Read More »
Building on Children’s Emerging Literacy
This course is one in a series of Early Years Scotland mini self study courses to support effective early years
Building on Children’s Emerging Literacy Read More »
Exploring Autism in the Early Years
This course is one in a series of Early Years Scotland mini self study courses to support effective early years
Exploring Autism in the Early Years Read More »
Hand in Hand Approach: using the Hand in Hand listening tools in childcare settings
Hand in Hand is a connection-based approach to parenting and working with children (see http://www.handinhandparenting.org). At the Secret Garden we have
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In the Woods Workshop
The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery in Letham, Fife, opened its invisible doors for the first time in 2008, as the
In the Woods Workshop Read More »
Creating Inclusive Play Opportunities
This training course provides an introduction to practical approaches that support children of all abilities and needs to participate in,
Creating Inclusive Play Opportunities Read More »
Forest School Leader (Forest and Outdoor Learning Award Level 8 – SCQF)
Forest School is an internationally recognised form of outdoor learning. It is more than just ‘playing outside.’ It is an
Forest School Leader (Forest and Outdoor Learning Award Level 8 – SCQF) Read More »
FUNdamental Outdoor Skills Training
(Previously called Fire and Tools Skills) Teachers, facilitators and community groups often worry about doing outdoor activities because of health and
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FUNdamental Play Training – Sticks and String
FUNdamental Play Training is an activity based training day for people who work with Early Years children in the outdoors.
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Autism Day
Learning outcomes include: Improved insight into the importance of taking a positive approach and utilising ‘out the box’ thinking and
Growing up & Relationships
Price£15 Parents/Carers £30 Professionals Delivery TypeFace to face Training ProviderSensationALL Growing up & Relationships Learning outcomes include:
Growing up & Relationships Read More »
Consulting with Children
Meet the basic rights of the child through consulting with children. Duration: full day Who should attend: all childcare practitioners
Consulting with Children Read More »
Exploring Children’s Schemas
Duration: Half dayWho should attend: All childcare practitioners What will I learn?Whilst children play and learn they exhibit patterns of behaviours. These
Exploring Children’s Schemas Read More »
Getting it Right for Every Child
Embed the 14 values of GIRFEC into your setting’s practice Delegates will learn about how to embed the 14 values
Getting it Right for Every Child Read More »
How Good is our Early Learning and Childcare?
Improve your self-evaluation through your understanding of the How Good is Our Early Learning and Childcare document. Duration: Half day
How Good is our Early Learning and Childcare? Read More »
Child led planning: Creating Meaningful Experiences
This course is for childminders who wish to improve or develop a planning system responsive to children’s needs, in line
Child led planning: Creating Meaningful Experiences Read More »
Child led planning: Creating Meaningful Experiences
This course is for childminders who wish to improve or develop a planning system responsive to children’s needs, in line
Child led planning: Creating Meaningful Experiences Read More »