New SOSCN Events

Thanks to everyone who has already registered for our forthcoming free and paid-for events that were announced on Friday past. We have seen a great response to these already with a couple of the free events approaching capacity. You can find out more about these events, including how to book, here:

Free Networking Meetings taking place in May and June:

https://soscn.org/participate/networking-meetings-may-jun-2021

Back to Basics: Financial Planning taking place on 19th May:

https://soscn.org/participate/back-to-basics-financial-planning

Temporary Restrictions Fund (TRF) - next deadline 4th May 2021

Please note, the current round of the TRF closes for application on 4th May 2021.

“Under round 3 of the Temporary Restrictions Fund:

• all open school age childcare services will be able to access a support grant for each week in which they are open over the period 1 March to 26 March. The size of the grant will vary depending on the registered capacity of settings and how many weeks the setting was open and
• all registered school age childcare services, whether open or closed, will also be able to claim a one-off additional restart grant based on their capacity, to support reopening following the end of restrictions. This includes settings with combined ELC and SAC services and larger childminding settings (12 or more children) which also remained restricted until 15 March.”

Further information and how to apply can be found here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-support-to-childcare-sector/...

SOSCN Manifesto for School Age Childcare

Thanks to everyone who has registered their support for our Manifesto for School Age Childcare. You can see everyone that has signed up here: https://soscn.org/manifesto-2021/

We hope that many of you have been sharing our Manifesto as widely as possible to keep promoting OSC in your community. In case you missed this last week, you can read Irene Audain's (SOSCN Chief Executive) guide to the Scottish political parties' manifestos, and where they all stand on the issue of school age childcare, on the SOSCN Blog here: https://soscn.org/blog/guide-to-election-manifestos-2021

Intergenerational Projects

We know that some of you are involved with intergenerational work. This is an interesting blog post from our Australian friend & colleague, Dr Jennifer Cartmel discussing how relationships between elderly people and children have many reciprocal benefits:

https://education.abc.net.au/newsandarticles/blog/-/b/4240637/interacting-with-elderly-people-helps-children-prepare-for-their-future-lives-and-careers

MACS Training

MACS Training have secured Individual Training Accounts (ITA) funding to deliver 2 new HN accredited courses- PDA: Training and Development for Delivery to Groups and PDA in workplace coaching. These courses are aimed at addressing any gaps senior practitioners may have in building business skills and will support the transition from an SVQ Level 7 into a degree.

Please see below for further information on each of the courses and how to apply for funding through ITA. If you are unable to access ITA Training the cost is £200 per course. If you are interested in the courses follow the links to contact MACS training.

PDA: Training and Development for Delivery to Groups

Course description

The PDA: Training and Development for Delivery to Groups at SCQF level 7 covers the high-level transferable skills required by those who design and deliver training.

• Reflecting on, Developing and Maintaining Own Skills in Training and Development
• Planning, Design and Delivery of Training to Group
• Assessing Learning and Evaluating Training

PDA Training and Development for Delivery to Groups can be delivered in an Early Years and Childcare setting using methods such as reviewing a staff meeting and using evaluation tools which could include Realising the Ambition, Achieving Quality Scotland, Health and Social care Standards, Standards for Childhood practice and SSSC codes of work practice etc. The PDA allows individuals to assess both their own effectiveness in delivering appropriate staff information and learning and furthermore to evaluate its impact on both individuals and groups, including all stakeholders.

Delivery of Assessment

This qualification will be delivered and assessed by online class-based delivery and two observed training sessions along with all other evidence requirements for this unit.

Entry requirements

This award suits individuals in work, or seeking employment, who require a specific skill set in training and development.

Learners do not need to have formal relevant qualifications to enter this PDA. Good communication skills, both oral and written, are required. Learners will, however, need to be knowledgeable and experienced in the Early Years and Childcare subject area(s) in which they plan to deliver training and have the desire to develop their delivery skills and knowledge.

PDA in workplace coaching

Course description

The PDA Workplace Coaching at SCQF level 7 offers candidates the opportunity to develop the practical skills and knowledge they need in order to coach in the Early Years and Childcare workplace. This qualification covers areas such as reflecting on, developing and maintaining own skills and practice in learning and development; enabling individual learning through workplace coaching and evaluating; and improving learning and development sessions.

The PDA in workplace coaching will enable Early Years and Childcare senior staff whose roles include Coach, Supervisor, Team leader, Facilitator, Mentor, assessor etc, to evaluate individuals through the use of appraisals, training, review training plans etc and work on staff progression and motivation through feedback situations.

Delivery of Assessment

This qualification will be delivered and assessed by one online class-based delivery and two assessment sessions.

Entry requirements

The PDA in Workplace Coaching qualification is suitable for individuals in the Early Years and Childcare workplace.

ITA Funding Information

Below are the steps to take to complete the funding below:

Applicant must register for My World of Work ( https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ ) to gain an account.

From here you will be directed to your home page and at the top of the page there is a Learn and Train section. Applicant will then search for the courses in the search section, below are the links directly to the courses.

PDA Workplace Coaching | My World of Work

PDA Training and Development for Delivery to Groups | My World of Work