0-3 Being Me in PKC

Target Audience - All ELCC

Provide an overview of the local and national policy and practice guidance which underpins working with children 0-3.  Explore how Realising the Ambition underpins high-quality practice (E.g. Attachments, Transitions, UNCRC, Schematic Play),  Share with you some practical examples of high-quality environments and experiences for our youngest children. 

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Dates: 14, 21, 28 March 2022 - 6.00pm - 7.30pm (all 3 sessions must be attended) 

Course Presenters: Catriona Roberts and Sophie Lowe

Outcomes:  Explore examples of planning.  Explore the use of Personal Learning Journals.  Provide practitioners with a chance to network, discuss and share examples of good practice of working with and supporting children. 

Forest Kindergarten 

Target Audience: Play Practitioners; Childminders; ELC staff – Council, Private, Voluntary (all staff); OOSC – Council, Private, Voluntary (all staff); Wraparound Care; School HT’s to pass onto teachers

Perth and Kinross Council in partnership with Perth College are running a number of Forest Kindergarten trainings this year.  This qualification meets the needs of practitioners who would like to set up regular off-site visits to a local wood or nearby green space for children in their care. The National Work-based Award in Forest Kindergarten at SCQF level 7 recognises the value of woodlands as an integral part of the learning process for  children and covers the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to develop a forest kindergarten. 

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Dates and Times: 5, 6 and 7 October ( with induction on the evening of 23 September) or 28, 29 and 30 October (with induction on the evening of 28 September)

This qualification will be run via online learning materials which take a flipped classroom approach followed by an intense 3 day outdoor experience.  This is a substantial time commitment, please ensure before completing an application form that you have the support from your Head Teacher, or Manager and you can be released to undertake the 3 day outdoor experience.

The participants will be able to:

• Identify suitable woodland and practical step to ensure a setting can be used.
• Plan and consulting with children and adults to prepare, inform and educate staff, children and parents about woodland visits.
• Set up and lead Forest Kindergarten sessions, to develop and extend children’s experiences playing in the woods.

As places are limited and notes of interest must be submitted before Sunday 19 September.  Applicants will be invited to share their note of interest with a panel ahead of the induction and places allocated to successful individuals. 

For further information about the training please visit  https://www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/courses/cpd-award-forest-kindergarten.

Loose Parts Play

Target Audience - All ELCC

Raise awareness of the value of loose parts in children’s play.  Provide practical examples about loose parts play to those who work with children.  Advocate the use of loose parts as an approach to developing high quality play opportunities.  

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Date and Time: 1 February 2022 - 4.00pm - 5.30pm or 6.30pm - 8.00pm

                           9 May 2022 - 4.00pm - 5.30pm or 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Presenter: Pauline Linn and Shona O'Connor

90minutes with a presentation to be viewed prior to attending

Outcomes: Understand the benefits of embedding the use of loose parts to enrich children’s play learning and development.  Make connection with loose parts play and getting it right for every child, including during COVID-19.  

Risk in Play

Target Audience - All ELCC Staff Support Workers Practitioners Lead Practitioners Childminders

This is a virtual session that explores, our own play experiences while growing up. The session allows participants to be involved in discussions around a risk benefit approach and the importance of managing risk. There is the opportunity for discussion and the sharing of top tips around developing risk assessments with children. The course also looks at local and national guidance that support risk in play.

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Date and Time: 17 November 2021 (FULL) or 6 December 2021 - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

                          18 January 2022 - 6.30pm - 8.00pm 

                          10 February 2022 - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

                          16 March 2022 - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

                          4 May 2022 - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

                          1 June 2022 - 6.30pm - 8.00pm 

Presenter: Shona O'Connor 

Outcomes: By the end of the course participants will have more knowledge and understanding about the risk benefit approach to play.  Participants will have opportunities to explore their values and thresholds to risk and reflect on this in their current practice.  Participants will have a greater understanding of the Risk-Benefit Approach and how this can be used to support practitioners to balance the benefits of an activity with any inherent risk, taking, into account the risks while recognising the benefits to children and young people. 

Realising the Ambition

Target Audience: All ELC Staff Support Workers Practitioners Lead Practitioners Childminders

Increase practitioner knowledge and understanding of Realising the Ambition: Being Me National Practice Guidance. Provide an introduction to how the document can support practitioners in delivering what babies and young children need most to give children the best start in life.  Encourage own reading and reflection around the document and attend a virtual session to engage in professional dialogue. 

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Date and Time: 8 December 2021 - 4.00pm - 5.30pm or 6.30pm - 8.00pm

                           3 March 2022 - 4.00pm - 5.30pm or 6.30pm - 8.00pm 

                           2 May 2022 - 4.00pm - 5.30pm or 6.30pm - 8.00pm 

                           3 May 2022 - 4.00pm - 5.30pm or 6.30pm - 8.00pm 

Presenter: Pauline Linn, Shona O'Connor and Linda Reid

Outcomes: Increased ability to make links between practice, theory and policy guidance to reinforce aspects of high-quality provision and the critical role practitioners play.  Increased knowledge and understanding of how to use the practice guidance to self-reflect and improve quality