Care and Learning Alliance

AGM & Conference 2011  

This year we held our AGM & Conference in Nairn Community Centre on Friday, 30 September and we were delighted to welcome over 110 delegates from around the Highlands and Moray areas.

After the main AGM business was completed, including approval of annual and financial reports for 2011, our Chief Executive, Ann Brady, gave a short update on the year’s activities. A full report – Impact 2011 – can be accessed here. 

The theme for the day was ‘Emerging Leadership’ and our keynote speaker, Frances Scott, SSSC’s Qualifications and Standards Manager, took us on a journey back to her childhood to illustrate her early career influences and choices. It was clear that the driving force which led to her emergence as one of the country’s Early Years experts was influenced by a strong passion for improved Early Years services and education.

After her talk, Frances assisted Sandra Tucker of HiMats with the presentation of PLQ2 awards to: Norma Reuttiman, Julia McNeil, Helen Call, Lois Heavenstone, Laura Knox and Diane Stark.

Our ‘Practitioner of the Year’ award was presented to Sharon Owen, a very worthy winner. Sharon is a playworker at St John’s Pre-School Centre, Inverness.

After lunch and the opportunity to visit the exhibition stands, the afternoon workshops kept everyone busy and gave the delegates the opportunity to communicate and share ideas with fellow practioners – a vital component of our AGM when you consider the geographical spread of our member groups. There were 5 workshops in total:

• ‘Deciding Together’ explored the different ways that staff in out of school clubs can consult with children to ensure they take a lead role in the running of the club.
• ‘Children’s Participation in their Learning’ discussed how staff in Early Years’ centres can encourage children to participate in their own learning.
• ‘Action Research – CLF’ introduced CALA CPMs (Childhood Practice Managers) to the wider evaluation of the CLF.
• ‘Song Boards & Story Sacks’ concentrated in visual clues to promote expressive and receptive communication skills
• ‘Who’s Got the Power at Work’ explored how power is experienced and defined and how, by increased awareness, we can learn to defuse tensions and encoourage positive change.

For more AGM images & slideshow go to the CALA Childhood Practice Blog

Access report from last year's AGM