Increase in Child Sexual Exploitation

Following concern raised at the Scottish Parliament today with regard to an increase in Child Sexual Exploitation, a reminder that you can access our free e-module on CSE developed in partnership with Highland Child Protection Committee.

Find out more at www.calaelearning.co.uk 

Croileagan Inbhir Narainn

Croileagan Inbhir Narainn has full time funded spaces available to eligible 3- & 4-year olds. For further information about the group visit https://www.careandlearningalliance.co.uk/our-services/early-years/early-years-groups/croileagan-inbhir-narainn/

You can contact Tia or Johanne on 07725881119 or email [email protected]

 

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONERS BASED IN SCOTLAND NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY!

Dr Anne Martin or Dr Paul McCrorie (Principal Researchers) are looking for Early Years practitioners responsible for children aged 2-5 years old to complete an online survey exploring perceptions of the risks and benefits of outdoor activities.

 The survey presents 10 different outdoor situations that you may experience with the children in your early learning centre. Each situation presents a different type of risk and similarly may offer different types of benefits. 

 The results of this research study will improve our understanding of educators’ perceptions of the risks and benefits of children playing outdoors, with the aim of enhancing children’s outdoor experiences.

 You find more information about the study and the survey here: Risk and Benefit of outdoor activity survey

Please get in touch with the lead researchers at the following email addresses if you need any more information:

 Dr Anne Martin or Dr Paul McCrorie – Principal Researchers

[email protected]

[email protected]

Information from Care Inspectorate

Childminders contact with Public Health 

Care Inspectorate has released the following information:

“We are aware that Public Health teams have been receiving a high volume of calls from childminders and would like to remind childminders to follow the Scottish Government FACTS guidance.

Childminders should self-isolate and book a test if they or a member of their household has symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been advised to do so by the Test and Protect Team or the Test and Protect App. 

Health advice on COVID-19, including social distancing and stay at home advice is available from NHS inform website. There is not a necessity for childminders to contact Public Health unless further assistance is required”. 

 

Services Temporarily Closed as an Impact of COVID-19

 Update from Care Inspectorate states:

“Since March 2020 services have been able to tell us about being temporarily closed as an impact of the pandemic. You have done this by submitting an eform notification: “Changes to service delivery due to Coronavirus (Covid-19)”.

To further support providers at this time, we will continue to use this process. Services may continue to remain temporarily closed until 31 March 2021 due to Covid-19. Other services can submit an eform notification if their service temporarily closes.

We are aware a number of providers including childminders have been keen to retain their registration while not operating at this time and this process will facilitate this as we move through the pandemic. We will review this position in March 2021″.

Scottish Government note to all childcare providers

Statement from Care Inspectorate:

“The First Minister has announced that, following an increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across Scotland and on the advice of her medical and scientific advisers, further measures were to be introduced across Scotland to slow the spread of COVID-19.  The announcement by the First Minister has no effect on current childcare arrangements and childcare providers should continue to operate in accordance with the current guidance.

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate have issued a note outlining this to all childcare providers”.   

Click here to access the note

Transitional Support Fund

Don’t miss out!

The Transitional Support Fund for private, voluntary or not for profit daycare of children providers closes Friday 9 October.

Read more about this excellent opportunity and how to apply here:

https://twitter.com/ELCScotGov/status/1313133975498559489

Refreshed Early Learning & Childcare National Induction Resource

Scottish Government (Childcare) have announced the refresh of the ELC National Induction Resource.

They state:

The ELC National Induction Resource,  produced collaboratively with leading partners, has been refreshed to provide new ELC employees with all the relevant information they need on what to expect in their first few months in post, including the most up-to-date resources and best practice.

Click here to access the resource

Click here to hear about the resource from Maree Todd – Minister for Children and Young People

We have also added the direct link to the resource on our CALA PRACTITIONER HUB for quick and easy future access.

Care Inspectorate Poster – Keeping children and families safe in your ELC setting

The Care Inspectorate has produced a helpful poster to help ELC settings keep children and families safe from the spread of COVID-19.

Click here to view and download the poster