Training
Overview
Early Years is the largest organization in Northern Ireland for young children. We are a non-profit making organization and have been working since 1965 to promote high quality childcare for children aged 0-12 and their families.
The Vision of Early Years – the organisation for young children
Children are;
• Strong, competent and visible in their communities
• Physically and emotionally healthy • Eager and able to learn
• Respectful of difference
The Values of Early Years - the organisation for young children
We believe in;
• Childhood – in its own right
• Listening to children – and those who care for them
• A strong voice for children • Play, fun and creativity • Parenting
• Community • Partnership
• Inclusion and diversity
• Excellence and evidence based innovation • Effective stewardship and governance • A professional, committed and recognised
workforce
Contents
Introduction
Training Courses
Curriculum Development
7
Creativity
11
Listening to Children
15
The World Around Us
19
Special Educational Needs
21
Management
25
Working with Parents
28
HighScope
31
The Media Initiative for Children (MIFC)
37
Respecting Difference Programme
Note: No dates have been listed as courses can be arranged as needed – please contact to enquire about specific dates in your area.
Early Years
Training Department 028 6634 2696
Training
Early Years delivers a wide range of in-service programmes that continue our drive to improve practice by applying an appropriate play based curriculum. Our training is for parents, all adults working with young children in pre-school settings, daycares, Sure Start, nursery and foundation stage and management committees. All of our training helps develop the confidence and competence of the participants in the understanding of play and the needs of young children across the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors.
Training programmes and materials are reviewed annually and are based on evidence from research and best practice to deliver outcomes for young children.
For more information on dates of courses or to discuss programme contents, contact the training department on 028 6634 2696, training@early-years.org. Places on courses are strictly limited so early booking is advisable. Early Years courses can also be viewed and booked on line at www.early-years.org/training.
Bespoke programmes can be arranged on request. Programmes can also be delivered outside of Northern Ireland.
A certificate of attendance is given to all participants upon 100% attendance of courses.
Room Hire
Early Years training rooms are available for hire as a venue for courses, seminars and meetings. There are two training rooms in the Belfast Headquarters; which can accommodate up to 80 people. Training accommodation is also available in our Enniskillen and Derry offices. For further information or to book contact reception on 028 9066 2825.
OCN-NI Accreditation
A number of courses are accredited by the Open College Network NI to Levels One, Two and Three. The Level indicates the depth and complexity of knowledge, understanding and skill required of a learner. For Level 1 accreditation participants will be required to complete reflective personal learner logs together with short written tasks. For a Level 1, learners should already hold an NVQ1 early years or equivalent qualification. For Level 2 accreditation participants will be required to complete a short portfolio along with personal learner logs, summary of discussions and weekly activity sheets. Level Two is comparable to NVQ2, Intermediate GNVQ and GCSE grades A-C. A short assignment is required in addition to the above for those working to achieve Level 3. All work is completed at regular intervals during the learning process. We are
currently working to map a selection of our
training courses to the Qualifications and Credit
Framework (QCF) in the UK and the National
Framework of Qualifications in the South of
Ireland. Further details are available on request.
Join Early Years
Early Years membership is open to all groups, organisations and individuals who provide early years care and education, and/or are involved in supporting or promoting high quality childcare and education services, and who subscribe to the vision and values of Early Years.
Members of Early Years can avail of the following benefits:
• Preferential rates or discounts on play equipment and resources from NES Arnold • Access to a high level of support from a team of highly qualified locally based Early Years staff. • Copies of the Early Years newsletter throughout the year. • Access to the exclusive member login area of our website. • Full access to Early Years’ Information and Resource Centre and members’ discounts on publications, training materials and events. • Opportunities to attend specialist training courses. • Access to support at a local level from our Branch network. • Discounts and preferential booking for all Early Years-run events • Opportunities to influence the future direction of Early Years by being eligible to vote at the AGM. • Access to a strong lobbying organisation with the aim of influencing policy on behalf of young children and their families.
In addition, Group Members can avail of the following specific benefits:
• A highly competitive insurance package for your setting, as well as personal insurance including home and motor insurance for your employees and yourself underwritten by Lockton UK. • The option of having details of your setting made available to parents seeking childcare. This may include access via an online search. • Access to our Quality Assurance Accreditation Scheme for Playgroups or the All Ireland Centre of Excellence award for Day Care Nurseries. • The opportunity for PEEP groups to avail of our Early Years Specialist support service.
Join
Toda
y!
An Introduction to Observation and
Planning for Pre-School Provision
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:• Applicants working with pre-school children in a playgroup or pre-school room within an early years setting.
OVERVIEW
This 12 hour course over 5 sessions explores how school children learn in a playgroup or pre-school room within an early years setting. The course focuses on the importance of observations and how they link to curriculum planning for pre-school education.
Objectives:
• Practitioners will recognise the learning potential contained within learning activities and the importance of play
• Practitioners will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of observing and assessing children’s learning
• Participants will be able to plan for children in a pre-school setting
ACCREDITATION
This course is accredited by National Open College Network at Level 2. Successful participants will be awarded a Certificate: Introduction to Observation and Planning for Pre-School Provision.
SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATION: Focused Observations: How to Observe Children for Assessment and Curriculum Planning
Author: Gaye Gronlund and Marlyn James
ISBN: 9781929610716 Available through Early Years Bookstore Member Price: £25
Previous comments about this course:
“In doing this course I now recognise the benefits to the setting of observing and evaluating in terms of planning.”
ECP February 2011
“I thoroughly enjoyed this course and feel I will bring a lot back to my setting. I am now more confident with planning for progression.”
ECP January 2011
“I gained lots of new knowledge which will help when planning.”
ECP January 2011
“I learnt more about why it is important to observe children and activities and how it relates to our plans.”
ECP January 2011
“I got a clear understanding of the importance of observations, planning and assessments and evaluations.”
WACP Oct 2010
Alternative Influences to Observation &
Documentation
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Experienced pre-school practitioners working with pre-school children.
OVERVIEW
• This 6 hour course over 1 day aims to
enable the practitioner to observe and record children’s involvement in their learning and to enable them to understand the process of documentation to make children’s learning visible.
Objectives:
• The practitioners will have a better understanding of their role in the documentation process.
• Practitioners will be better prepared to plan and evaluate learning with children.
• The practitioner will enable parents to appreciate and participate in their children’s learning.
The training will include:
• Influences and international experiences including Reggio and Boulder
• A sharing of experiences (Northern Ireland Context)
• Creating the environment • Concepts versus topics • Children as researchers
• Celebrating developmental milestones • Adults engaged in their own learning
• The use of documentation to inform practice • Key questions concerning documentation ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
I Want To Play
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Staff working in an early years or day care setting and for parents. It is particularly applicable to staff as a measure of self improvement and lends itself to staff looking for refresher training around play.
OVERVIEW
This 7.5 hour course over 3 sessions will explores the importance of play in the development of the young child.
Objectives:
• The importance of play in the development of a young child
• The role of the adult in providing play experiences in early years settings
• Practitioners will have opportunities to explore natural materials and the benefits of using these materials
ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATION: I Want to Play: Practical Play Ideas to Use at Home with Young Children
Author: Early Years Staff Available through Early Years Bookstore Member Price: £5
Observation and Planning for Daycares
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:• Daycare Staff (0-3 yr old rooms)
ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATION: This is Me: Observation Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers
Author: Early Years Staff Available through Early Years Bookstore Member Price: £5
Improving Practice Through
Self-Evaluation
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
- all practitioners and management committees working with young children
OVERVIEW
This six hour workshop (2 x 3 hour sessions) is intended for staff working in early years and day care settings and their management committees in the early stages of self evaluation to increase understanding of how reflective practice improves quality of provision in all areas.
The training will include: • Working as a team
• The purpose of self-evaluation
• Different tools to start the process of self-evaluation
ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
Supporting Creativity in the Early Years –
Art and Design
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Applicants who have access to a suitable early
years environment in order to complete practical coursework
• Applicants who ideally already hold an NVQ2 early
years or equivalent qualification
OVERVIEW
This 15 hour course (6 x 2.5 hour sessions) will explore how creativity can support young children’s learning and development. Young children love exploring and manipulating materials which stimulate all their senses. There will be a strong practical element to this course where we will investigate creativity as
a process and the adult’s role as an active participant in children’s creative experiences.
The training will include:
• An exploration of what we mean by creativity
• Expressive art as a vehicle for learning and
understanding
• The use of different media to gain multiple
perspectives and a higher level of
• understanding
• Documentation as a way of understanding
children’s creative processes
PROGRAMME NOTES
• The programme requires full attendance along with personal study, completion of reflective learning logs and 6 completed assignments.
ACCREDITATION
This course is accredited by National Open College Network at Level 2. Successful participants will be awarded a Certificate: Early Years Learning and Development: Art and Design in Early Years
SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATION: Rapunzel’s Supermarket: All About Young Children and Their Art (2nd edition).
Author: Ursula Kolbe ISBN: 9780975772218 Available through Early Years Bookstore
Member Price: £40
Previous comment about this course: “I found this course extremely interesting and relevant to what we do in playgroup. It has given me many good ideas and encouraged me to have a renewed interest in art and craft.”
WACP March 2011
“I have learnt a lot about the importance of art and craft in learning and how it affects all areas of the curriculum. I will now look at art/craft in a new light, coming away with new ideas and a new enthusiasm for it.”
WACP March 2011
Light and Reflection Workshop
“Creativity can be seen as a process of not knowing quite where to start but allowing things to happen.”
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR: • All staff working with young children OVERVIEW
This 2 hour workshop will open the gate to wonder by exploring how children’s curiosity and imagination can be an expressive vehicle for gaining greater learning and understanding of the world.
The training will include:
• The importance of creativity and imagination • A range of practical ideas to support
creativity
• The importance of creativity as a process rather than a final product
• Understanding the potential of equipment and resources in creating opportunities to enhance exploratory and creative skills using light and reflection.
SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATION: The Little Book of Light and Shadow
Author: Pat Brunton, Linda Thornton, and Kerry Ingham ISBN: 9781904187813 Available through Early Years Bookstore
Music, Movement and Drama with Young
Children
“Imagination, energy and a desire to have fun is what you need to work with young children through the magical world of music, movement and drama.”
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• All staff working with young children in day care, pre-school settings, Sure Starts, childminders and parents
OVERVIEW
This short five hour course demonstrates how staff can introduce children to developmentally appropriate music and drama experiences. The course will enhance staff confidence, building on their existing knowledge within settings and home environments by providing practical music resources and ideas.
Note: Participants are advised to wear loose, comfortable clothing.
The training will include:
• Why music in the early years setting? • What does music include? • Exploring music experiences • Planning and progression for music with young children • Exploring the benefits of theatre for young children • Experiencing elements of drama and performance SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATION: Sounds Like Playing: Music and the Early Years Curriculum
Author: Majorie Ouvry ISBN: 9780904187311
Available through Early Education Bookstore and Other Major Retailers
Previous comment about this course:
“I now have more confidence to approach dance and drama activities in my setting.”
Greenwood House Assessment Centre Oct 2010
“Great practical ideas and good insight into why we should include dance and drama . Thanks!”
ECP March 11
“A good reminder to keep things fresh and new in settings with great ideas to take away.”
ECP March 11
“Very good. Made me think about ways I could use Music and Dance in my group.”
Understanding Young Children’s Feelings
and Behaviours
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• All practitioners in early years settings working with young children
OVERVIEW
This 6 hour course will explore how young children’s emotional intelligence and well being can impact on behaviour.
The training will include: • Involvement • Engagement • Well being
• Working with boys And asks the questions:
• What do these concepts mean? • Are these concepts important? • What is the Adult’s role?
• What are the outcomes for children? ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATIONS:
A Place to Learn: Developing a Stimulating Environment
Author: Lewisham Early Years Advice and Research Network
ISBN: 9780901637109 Available through Early Years Bookstore Member Price: £25
The Cleverness of Boys
Author: Sally Featherstone and Ros Bayley
ISBN: 9781408114681
Available through Early Years Bookstore Member Price: £18
Previous comments about this course: “The course will enable me to provide strategies to support children in my setting displaying poor behaviour.”
Tiny Tots Community Playgroup, Strathfoyle Oct 2010
Adult Child Interactions
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Participants who work with young children in an Early Years or day care setting and other settings for example youth clubs, girl guides etc and students.
OVERVIEW
This 6 hour course explores the critical role of interactions and relationships in the development of young children. The way in which early years practitioners listen and talk to children is key to providing an effective, caring and learning environment.
The training will include: • The vital role of the adult
• The importance of communication in relation to learning
• The significance of the learning environment • Child to child interactions/Child to adult
interactions/Adult to adult interactions • The theoretical framework relating to
interactions in the early years ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
Previous comments about this course:
“I enjoyed this course so much and I have learned a lot that will benefit my setting.”
Voice of the Child
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Experienced staff working with young children in day care, pre-school, after school, extended schools or youth groups • Applicants who have access to a suitable
early years environment in order to complete practical assignments
• Ideally you should already hold an NVQ 1 in early years or equivalent qualification OVERVIEW
This 12 hour course explores strategies for communicating effectively with young children. This course will encourage practitioners to become reflective practitioners.
The training will include: • Why listen?
• What do we mean by listening? • Challenges of listening
• Listening as a tool or ethos
• An Awareness of relevant research,
Legislation, United nations Rights of the Child • Ethical Challenges
• The pedagogy of listening
• The impact of hearing children’s voices on staff, parent’s and children’s services • Beyond listening –future prospects. PROGRAMME NOTES:
The programme requires full attendance along with personal study, completion of reflective learning logs and 2 completed assignments.
ACCREDITATION
This course is accredited by National Open College Network at level 1.
Successful participants will be awarded a
Certificate: Early Years Learning and Development: Consulting with Young Children.
SUGGESTED ACCOMPANYING PUBLICATION:
Using Puppets
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• All practitioners in early years settings working with young children
OVERVIEW
This 2 hour workshop will explore how using puppets can support inclusion, conflict resolution and problem solving.
The workshop will provide practitioners with the knowledge and skills to use puppets to support children’s development and explore their feelings and emotions.
The training will include:
• Using puppets with young children • How puppets can be used to support
inclusion
• Using puppets to help esolve conflict and problem solving.
ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
Developing an Outdoor Learning
Environment in Early Years Settings
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:• Experienced staff working with young children in day care, pre-school, after school, extended schools or youth groups
• Ideally you should already hold an NVQ Level 2 in early years or equivalent qualification
OVERVIEW
This is an advanced 18 hour workshop over 6 sessions plus 12 hours of home study, including written assignments.
The course will offer an in-depth exploration of the outdoor learning environment for young children. The training will include:
• The values and principles of an inclusive outdoor learning environment
• The barriers to providing outdoor learning and strategies to overcome them
• The factors relating to planning, design and resourcing
• The role of staff, parents/carers • Appropriate curriculum planning
• Variations in outdoor learning for children from birth to eight years old
ACCREDITATION
This course is accredited by National Open College Network at level 2.
Previous comments about this course:
“It will help us to develop our outdoor play area to enhance children’s learning and development.”
Working with Children with Special and
Additional Needs (available for both day
care and pre-school)
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Applicants who have access to a suitable early years environment in order to complete practical coursework
• Applicants who ideally already hold an NVQ1 early years or equivalent qualification OVERVIEW
Children with special and additional needs are now being increasingly integrated into mainstream childcare and education settings. If you would like to develop and extend your understanding of working with children with special needs, this 10 hour training is for you. IThis course is delivered over 2 sessions, 1 x 6 hours and 1 x 4 hours.
The training will include:
• The legislative context of SEN provision in either day care or pre-school and how this could impact on practice
• Strategies to identify and support children with a range of SEN’s/additional needs
• An increased awareness of working with parents, carers and other professionals
• Documentation for planning and evaluating for individual needs
• Devising/reviewing SEN policy ACCREDITATION
This course is accredited by National Open College Network at Level 1.
Previous comment about this course:
“It’s a good starting point if you wanted to progress further in special needs courses.”
SCP January 2011
“As a result of this training I now have an enhanced knowledge of SEN children and I will be more confident should they attend my setting.”
SCP January 2010
“I really enjoyed this course. This new experience gives me the opportunity to work with children with special and additional needs.”
WACP March 2011
“This course has given me the knowledge to help me work with children with SN/SEN.”
SCP January 2010
“Very good refresher course taking back fresh ideas and better documenting of records.”
WACP March 2011
Keyhole Autism Training for Pre-Schools
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:• Anyone working with young children in a day care or early years setting
OVERVIEW
Autism is a spectrum of conditions characterised by social, communicative, sensory-motor and cognitive difficulties. This 13 hour course over 2 days provides an introduction to Autism and is co-delivered by two tutors, one from Early Years and one from Autism NI.
This unique course aims to enhance knowledge about Autism and the intervention strategies which are effective in assisting young children achieve their full potential.
The training will include:
• An awareness of Autism
• Communication difficulties with Autism • Effective intervention strategies for the
pre-school child
• Implementation/practical strategies to use in settings and use of visual aids
PROGRAMME NOTES
• You do not need knowledge of Autism but some experience of working with children with autism in a daycare or early years setting is desirable due to the practical nature of the course.
ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
Effective Strategies for Young Children with
Autism
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Anyone working with young children in a day care or early years setting
OVERVIEW
This 6 hour 1 day course aims to further develop an understanding of Autism in the young child.
The training will include:
• An understanding of autism and how it impacts on a young child
• Sensory difficulties associated with Autism • Visual strategies which may be effective in
working with a child with autism
• An increased awareness of working with parents/carers and other professionals PROGRAMME NOTES
• You do not need knowledge of Autism but some experience of working with children with autism in a daycare or early years setting is desirable due to the practical nature of the course.
ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
Making more successful applications to
Funders
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Applicants who are members of voluntary management committees or voluntary board members for voluntary or community based organisations
OVERVIEW
This 2 hour workshop will provide committee/board members with up to date information on funding, grant assistance and making an application to a funder
The training will
include:-• How to identify potential funders and sources of information on funders
• How to make a successful application to a funder
• Developing a strategic approach to fund raising
• Sign posting to advice on fund raising for registered charities
Previous comments about this course:
“Very informative session, and I would recommend it to other committees”
“I feel more confident about trying to complete funding application form and being successful”
NCP Oct. 2010
Committee Management
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:• Applicants who are members of voluntary management committees or voluntary board members for voluntary or community based organisations
OVERVIEW
The 6 hour workshop (2 x3 hrs sessions) will
provide committee/board members with up to date, relevant information which will assist them develop a better understanding of their roles and how to be a more effective management team
The training will
include:-• Governance - looking at what determines the work and purpose of your organisation
• Roles and responsibilities
• Legal status :- constitution, charitable status,
co ltd by guarantee
• Induction of new committee members • Leadership
• Sustainability
Previous comments about this course: “Excellent course! Enjoyed it, very informative session”
“Very informative and sows a lot of seeds for future directions open to the playgroup”
“Course was very good for new groups setting up and for those who need to understand the workings of a committee”
DE Early Early Fund Oct 2010.
Governance and Finance
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:• Applicants who are members of voluntary management committees and voluntary board members in the community and voluntary sector
OVERVIEW
This 3 hour course will provide participants with a better understanding of Governance in the voluntary and community sector. Committee members and board members in the community and voluntary sector have shared responsibility to ensure good stewardship of their resources and this short course will provide an over view of simple financial management processes to help them comply with these responsibilities
The training will
include:-• An overview of good governance and what it entails
• An understanding of the importance of financial management for any group • An understanding of how to assess the
financial processes currently used for their setting
• How to develop a financial manual for the setting
Leadership, Support and Supervision in
Early Years Settings
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Applicants who are members of management teams in early years settings with responsibility for proving support, supervision and appraisal for other staff members
OVERVIEW
This 3 hour course will provide participants with a clear understanding of Leadership in an early years setting. Managers will have the tools to support, supervise and appraise their staff.
The training will
include:-• An understanding of the support and supervision of staff members
• An understanding of how to introduce regular 1-to-1 and appraisal meetings for all staff Previous comments about this course:
“Very useful session. We have no way of recording the support staff get but we will now be introducing 1-to-1 and appraisals for our staff”
ECP. March 2011
Recruitment and Selection of Staff in Early
Years Settings
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
• Applicants who are members of management teams in Early Years settings with responsibility for recruiting staff
OVERVIEW
This 3 hour course will provide participants with up to date information and the necessary skills and tools to recruit and select staff for their setting. Participants will develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to develop their own recruitment process.
The training will
include:-• Identification of the legislation relating to recruitment of new staff
• An understanding of the recruitment and selection process
• An understanding of how to draw up criteria and job description for a vacant post
• Developing suitable questions for applicants • How to conduct an interview
• Sample letters for communication with applicants
Previous comments about this course: “Very informative session. I found information on legislation very useful”
Working in Partnership with Parents PEAL
and Transitions
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR:
All practitioners in early years settings working with young children
OVERVIEW
This 9 hour course aims to explore how practitioners can develop work to engage parents in their
children’s learning.
The course identifies why engaging with parents is important and who benefits
It looks closely at our own skills and knowledge and builds on current practice.
The workshop will provide practitioners with the knowledge and skills to use puppets to support children’s development and explore their feelings and emotions.
The training will include:
• Identify our own experiences and attitudes, and how these affect what we do with parents • Gain knowledge of the policy context and
research that underpins parental involvement in the early years
• Identify how parents are engaged as partners in their children’s learning
• Identify parents who are harder to engage as partners in their children’s learning, and strategies to support progress
• Understand the importance of clear principles and policies to support the engagement of parents in their children’s learning, and to identify key elements of these to build on in your own settings
• Recognise opportunities for, and barriers to, further work in your setting
• Identify the support and changes needed in order to take this work further.
ACCREDITATION
Successful participants will be awarded an Early Years Attendance Certificate.
HighScope Ireland Training
HighScope Ireland offers a wide range of training programmes designed to meet the needs of practitioners and others. The following one/two or half day courses can
be commissioned for your area or service.
IRELAND INSTITUTE
An Introduction to the HighScope
Approach
The course is designed for those working with young children in Day Care, Pre-School, Nursery School, Primary School, Sure Start and After School settings.
This one day (6 hours) course provides participants with the opportunity to be introduced to and explore the guiding principles which are central to the HighScope approach.
The programme will include:
• An overview of the HighScope Approach • An introduction to the guiding principle of
active participatory learning
• A brief exploration of the key elements of HighScope in practise
• Learning environment • Daily routine
• Adult/ child interactions • Assessment
Introduction to the HighScope Approach to
Problem Solving with Young Children
The course is designed for practitioners implementing the HighScope approach and practitioners using other approaches in Day Care, Pre-School, Nursery School, Primary School, and After School settings.
This one/two day course provides participants with the opportunity to explore how adults view problem solving situations, how the HighScope process enables young children to develop important social skills and introduces the HighScope conflict resolution steps used in the process.
The programme will include:
• The active participatory learning approach to problem prevention strategies relating to learning environments and daily routines
• The opportunity for participants to identify their own conflict resolution style
• The HighScope six steps to conflict resolution
• The importance of acknowledging children’s feelings in conflict
situations
“Problem solving in a simple manageable way that can be used daily in a setting.”
SCP December 2010
“Good course for improving childcare professional development.”
SCP December 2010
“Very interesting and an excellent approach to take with children to resolve daily situations.”
WCP March 11
“It is a great insight into children’s behaviour and how it should be handled appropriately.”
SCP EDYF March 2011
“Much better understanding of conflict situations and how to solve them.”
WCP March 11
“I have learned that problem solving is a valuable skill to have when working with children and that giving children the opportunity to problem solve themselves is essential for them to learn the skill.” WCP March 11
An Introduction to the Child Observation
Record (COR) Tool
(Infant and Toddler under 3 years of age)
This 2 day course is designed for practitioners implementing the HighScope approach and practitioners using other approaches with children under three years of age in Day Care, Creche and Sure Start settings.
This 2 day course provides participants with the opportunity to explore the content of the HighScope Child Observation Record Core Tool (COR) and examines how participants can use the tool to support, assess and plan for children’s individual stages of development and share the information with parents.
This programme includes:
• Child observation - What is it? • The benefits of using COR • What does the COR look like? • Recording and scoring observations • Using the information to assess children’s
development
• Using the information to plan for individual children
An Introduction to the Child Observation
Record (COR) Tool
(Pre-School Children 2½ to 6
years of age)
The course is designed for practitioners implementing the HighScope approach and practitioners using other approaches with children 2½ to 6 years of age in Day Care, Pre-School, Nursery School, Primary School, and After School settings.
This 2 day course provides participants with the opportunity to explore the content of the HighScope Child Observation Record Core Tool (COR) and examines how participants can use the tool to support, assess and plan for children’s individual stages of development and share the information with parents.
This programme includes:
• Child observation - What is it? • The benefits of using COR • What does the COR look like? • Recording and scoring observations • Using the information to assess children’s
development
• Using the information to plan for individual children
• Using the information to share with parents
Education through Movement
This 6 hour workshop (one day) will support staff working with young children in a day care or pre-school setting to develop young children’s learning using movement. The workshop is suitable for both the practitioners implementing
the HighScope approach and practitioners using other
encourages participants to become reflective practitioners.”
WACP Nov 2010
“Gave me more insight into bringing movement into everyday activities such as story time and rhyme time.”
WACP March 2011
“A wonderful course, insightful practices,
encouraging us to become reflective practitioners.” NCP Oct 2010
“It has shown me a lot more easy movement for children and how much it helps them. I will be using movement a lot more.”
WCP EDYF Nov 10
“It gave me a greater understanding about music and how important this is for children.”
WCP EDYF Nov 10
Self Evaluation using The HighScope PQA
for Pre-School Children
This 2 day workshop introduces participants to the HighScope Pre-School PQA, a validated quality assessment tool which can be used in both HighScope and non HighScope settings.
The Programme will include:
• Exploring the steps to lay the foundation for the self evaluation process
• Exploring what evaluation is and it’s benefits to centres
• Exploring the sections of the PQA
• Exploring self assessment methods using the PQA
• Discussing the plan for self evaluation in centres using the PQA
Tender Care and Early Learning Course (for
practitioners working with children from birth to 3
years of age)
This 12 day course (1 day per month) provides participants with the opportunity to explore the areas of the HighScope Curriculum for infants and toddlers and gradually implement the approach into their settings.
The course is designed for those working with young children up to 3 years of age who wish to begin to use the HighScope approach in Day Care, Crèche Sure Start and two year old programme settings. Regular assignments and an end of course site visit are required elements of this course.
Implementing the HighScope Approach
(IHA) (for practitioners working with children
aged 3-6 years)
This 12 day course (1 day per month) provides participants with the opportunity to explore the areas of the HighScope Curriculum and to gradually introduce the Curriculum in their settings.
The course is designed for those working with young children aged 3-6 years who wish to begin to use the HighScope approach in Playgroup, Nursery School, Primary School, and Day care settings. Regular assignments and an end of course site visit are required elements of this course.
Step by Step
Step-by-Step, 5 Steps over a total of 22 days, HighScope Ireland’s latest training programme is aimed at early years practitioners already
Implementing the HighScope Curriculum is like a journey and the journey has been simplified by this new programme. Beginning with Step 1, the steps build upon each other and as you progress you will build knowledge and skills that prepare you to take the next step. It’s a way to learn about and implement the HighScope Curriculum in easy, manageable pieces.
Numbers Plus
This 2 day course provides participants with the opportunity to learn about important maths concepts in the early years management). Participants will learn how to scaffold children’s maths learning using specific interaction strategies using
activities (number sense and
operations, geometry, measurement,
algebra, and data from HighScope’s new Numbers Plus early maths curriculum.
Transitions in Early Years
Settings
This one day course will explore the importance of Transitions for young children both from home to settings and within setting routines.
Supporting Young Artists
This one day course helps participants to gain a better understanding of how the visual arts can be an exciting adventure in every early childhood program and how adults can support this creative development in young children.
Growing Readers
This 2 day course provides a detailed look at HighScope’s Growing Readers Early Literacy Curriculum, and focuses specifically on strategies for actively engaging preschool children in small-group activities in
comprehension, phonological awareness, alphabetic principle, and concepts about print.
New HighScope
Shorter ½ day
courses
Home visits
This course will explore the rationale for home visits, what happens on a home visit and how home visits can shape classroom practices.
Working with Parents
This course will explore the how practitioners can share the HighScope approach with parents through a series of active parent workshops which also support parents to use the HighScope
Preschool Science
This course will explore how to support children’s science learning as it
occurs in early years settings.
Large Group Time
This course will explore how to make Large Group Time experiences active and exciting for young children and adults in early years settings.
bookstore
Bookstore and Resource Centre
www.early-years.org/bookstore
The Information and Resource Centre is located at our Headquarters in Belfast and is a specialist information service for anyone concerned with Early Childhood Issues. It covers a broad range of information and is designed to be a facility that acts as a ‘one stop shop’ catering for the needs of parents, staff and practitioners, teachers and educators, students, researchers and policy planners.
The Centre is open during office hours and for further information contact the information officer on:
028 9066 2825 or email: shannonb@early-years.org
Includes over 80
HighScope Curriculum
based resources to
choose from.
Member discounts of up
to 33% off available!
Visit www.early-years.org/
bookstore today!
Over 150 Titles of
Curriculum, Training
and Assessment
Resources Available!
The Media Initiative for Children
(MIFC) Respecting Difference
Programme
A comprehensive training programme for practitioners and teachers
The MIFC Respecting Difference Programme is an intervention programme aimed at improving long term outcomes so that children, practitioners, teachers, parents and communities can become more aware of diversity and difference issues and positively change attitudes and behaviours to those who are different.
The programme combines cartoon media messages with an early years programme and resources for children aged 3-6 years.
The three days Introductory Training enables participants to reflect on their own attitudes to difference as well as providing them with opportunities to explore the Media Initiative resources and become skilled and confident in using them. A Service Design Manual has been developed to support and assist participants to implement the programme and to weave it naturally into the early years curriculum. A large Randomised Controled Trial has been carried out on the MIFC by Queen’s University and the full report was published in autumn 2010. The headline results showed that the programme has the potential to make a difference to young childrens attitude to difference.
Follow-up training on the programme is also available.
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eative: info@thinkx2.com
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