Information event in Inverness ahead of expansion of funded early learning and childcare hours
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THE Scottish Government’s expansion of funded early learning and childcare hours will be the focus of an awareness event at Inverness College UHI on Friday.
Organised by the college, Highland Council and the Care and Learning Alliance (CALA), #letstalkabout1140 will address the opportunities and challenges facing the sector as a result of the expansion and provide continuing professional development (CPD) for those already in the profession.
It is also a chance for people interested in joining the profession to find out about courses and apprenticeship routes at the college.
Parents are currently eligible for 600 hours of funded early learning childcare per year for three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds. This will increase to 1140 hours per year by August 2020.
There will be a range of stalls and speakers, including the Scottish Government, Care Inspectorate, Peeple, the Scottish Social Services Council, the CALA and the council. There will also be information on mindfulness techniques for young children and Highland literacy programmes.
Students on courses at the college will also be displaying work, and there will be information on programmes including the NC, HNC and BA (Hons) in childhood practice, the BA (Hons) in child and youth studies, as well as our modern and graduate early learning and childcare apprenticeships, which allow people to work, earn and learn by completing a qualification while in employment.
The free event runs from noon-6.30pm.
Heather Keyes, head of care, health and wellbeing at the college, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in a career in childcare to find out about study options, with lots of information about how the expansion of funded early learning and childcare hours will impact settings, priorities and challenges, as well other valuable CPD opportunities.”
Jaci Douglas, chief executive of CALA, said: “It’s great to have such a huge range of information and expertise in one place about the opportunities and pathways into a careers in early learning childcare. We are really looking forward to talking to anyone who is interested so I would just encourage people to pop along and learn all about this exciting, rewarding and vitally important career.”
Councillor John Finlayson, chairman of the council’s care, learning and housing committee, said: “Because the provision of high quality early learning childcare sets a solid foundation for children to develop their learning, life and work skills and also supports parents to work, train or study, we are working tirelessly to meet the expansion requirements across Highland.
"The opportunity for engagement with industry peers at #letstalk1140 will provide valuable insight into innovative approaches to recruitment, infrastructure and service delivery in meeting this obligation.”
For further information about the event, including speakers, click here.
