NDNA Knowledge Hub - Scotland

Get the latest early years and childcare updates across Scotland. 

Scottish Water are testing water quality in private nurseries 

17 October 2018
Child drinking water

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR) will be testing water samples in all private nurseries to ensure the levels of lead in the water are safe.

NDNA advise members to understand the potential risks and costs associated with this.

More information, including helpful advice from our partners and some other useful links can be found here. 

ELC Inclusion Fund – closes at end of October 2018

8 October 2018
Practitioner with boy at nursery

The second round of funding to support children with additional support needs in Scotland is now open to applicants, but only until the end of this month.

The ELC Inclusion Fund supports staff working in settings with children who have additional support needs to receive training and can also fund resources, equipment and any adaptations that may be necessary.

The fund distributes up to £500,000 across four years to settings that need it to make sure that the ELC funded entitlement is inclusive and results in good outcomes for all children. Individual awards range from £500 - £1,500. 

Closing date is 5pm on 31 October 2018. Find out more and complete an application form here. 

Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Programme Update - September

4 September 2018

Scottish Government logoThe Scottish Government has released the latest monthly Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Expansion Programme Update for September. It includes updates on:

  • Service models - a joint consultation and a new early learning and childcare partnership forum
  • Update, eligibility and engagement - parental engagement strategy
  • Quality - the early learning and childcare inclusion fund, ELC ASN summit and a CPL course for school leadership teams
  • Two-year-old offer - a dedicated project team focused on the two-year-old offer
  • Workforce - recruitment marketing campaign resources and assessing capacity in the SVQ training offer
  • Evidence and analysis - transformation of the ELC census, ELC prices, parent survey and evaluation of child and parent outcomes
  • Infastructure 
  • Key contacts.

Download the update below

Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Programme Update - August

3 August 2018

Scottish Government logoThe Scottish Government has released the latest monthly Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Expansion Programme Update for August. It includes updates on:

  • Service models - additional graduate commitment and ELC service model for 2020 consultation paper
  • Update, eligibility and engagement - ELC two-year-old uptake improvement practicum, eligibility criteria and parental communication
  • Quality - National Induction Resource, Inclusion Fund and Settings of Innovation and Impact
  • Workforce - Recruitment marketing campaign
  • Evidence and analysis 
  • Infastructure - ELC reference design
  • Key contacts.

Download the update below

SSSC Careers Website

10 May 2018

SSSC logoThe Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has launched a new website designed to encourage individuals to consider taking up a career in childcare.

The website shows how someone can build a career in the day care of children, which includes Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), out of school care, childminding and other services where children are cared for during the day.
 
Find out more here.

Consultation on draft quality improvement framework

10 May 2018

The Care Inspectorate logoThe Care Inspectorate is consulting on a draft framework of quality indicators to support you in the self-evaluation and quality improvement of your setting.

Your views are really important in shaping the future so please give your views on the draft framework through this consultation survey, closing on 25 May 2018.
 
Read it here.

Learner Participation in Educational Settings

10 May 2018

Toddler using tablet with practitionerEducation Scotland has published new ‘Learner Participation Educational Settings (3-18)’ guidance.

The guidance and the accompanying set of online support materials will be a useful resource for you when planning, reviewing or enhancing what learner participation looks like in your nursery.

Read it here.

Letter template for inviting your local MSP

2 March 2018

Download our letter template document to help you send an invite to your local MSP asking them to attend an event for your setting.

Inviting your local MSP to an event is a great opportunity for both parties to discuss the early years and childcare sector.
Letter template for inviting your MSP
(Microsoft Word Document)

Wellbeing toolkit for children, adults and nursery staff launched 

21 September 2017

Children reading book at nurseryNorth Lanarkshire Council has launched the Sid and Shanarri toolkit, designed to help children, parents and early learning practitioners develop a shared understanding of wellbeing and its importance in a child’s development.

The resource includes eight storybooks featuring the tales of Sid the monkey and Shanarri the spider, and allows children to self-evaluate their understanding of wellbeing as they progress to primary school.

The Care Inspectorate has welcomed the toolkit which was launched at John Paul II Primary School in Uddingston this week. Find out more here.

Benefits of expressive arts in children’s services showcased in Our Creative Journey 

21 September 2017

Care Inspectorate LogoThe Care Inspectorate has launched 'Our Creative Journey', a resource exploring and sharing good practice examples of how expressive arts benefit children.

It was developed by a range of partner organisations who worked with practitioners to tell their own stories, involving individual children and parents. Our Creative Journey is aimed at practitioners but it will also be of interest to parents, carers and anyone looking after or working with children or young people, including statutory social work and education, voluntary sector support services and activity-based provision.

Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, Karen Reid, launched the resource at the Children in Scotland Annual Conference this week. Find out more here

Independent panel to review Information Sharing Code of Practice 

21 September 2017

Scottish Government logo
The Scottish Government has announced that an independent GIRFEC Practice Development Panel will be established to ensure the Code of Practice, published alongside the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill, is “workable, comprehensive and user friendly”.

Education Secretary John Swinney said the panel will ensure that the experience and expertise of practitioners will inform the Code through dialogue with other stakeholders. The announcement was made by Mr Swinney as he appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee to answer questions on the draft Bill.

He also told MSPs that further financial resources will be required to assist the implementation of the legislation, and stakeholders will be consulted on the detail of a “multiyear approach” to funding as the Bill proceeds. Download more information here

Making better decisions’ practice simulator

12 September 2017

SSSC logo
The Scottish Social Services Council's (SSSC) 'Making better decisions’ practice simulator now has four new scenarios for supervisors.

All scenarios in the 'Making better decisions' practice simulator are based on common issues that arise in investigations carried out by the SSSC’s Fitness to Practise Department. At the end of each scenario, you are asked to write a short reflective account to explain your decisions or actions, then compare this with SSSC feedback. It then provides guidance that you can print or email to yourself, managers or assessors. You can also apply for an Open Badge for each of the new scenarios to add to a portfolio of continuous professional learning. 

New scenarios, designed to help you explore the actions you could take in challenging situations, include child protection and managing performance that does not meet the required standards. 
 
Find out more

 

The Daily Mile

31 August 2017

Scottish Government logo
The Scottish Government are committed to support every ELC provider and school in Scotland to join The Daily Mile movement. Every centre that signs up and continues to be actively involved will receive a reward pack around Easter 2018 which will include water bottles and pedometers for every child that is taking part!

Further details of how to claim your reward pack will be sent out closer to the time. The Scottish Government will also publish specific guidance for ELC settings this autumn on how to incorporate The Daily Mile and other age-appropriate physical activity into everyday learning experiences. Find out more

 

Lead in drinking water

6 June 2017


The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR) has established a project to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. The project will affect nurseries in premises that are both privately owned and owned by local authorities.
 

Terror attack: message from the Scottish Government

24 May 2017


The Scottish Government has sent a statement for partner organisations following the terror attack in Manchester on 22 May. Click below to find out more and share with your networks.
 

Scottish Government guidance: Funding and free school meals

3 April 2017

Scottish Government logo
Here you can download two letters containing guidance on updates to funding and free school meals for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).
 

Named person service update

15 March 2017

John Swinney
The Deputy First Minister has announced he will bring forward a Bill that will include new provisions on when and how information can be shared by and with the Named Person service. 
 

Self assessments 2017/18 update

15 March 2017

Mark McDonald MSP
The Care Inspectorate will not be asking nurseries to complete a self-assessment during 2017/18 - find out more below.
 

Scotland’s Minister for Childcare and Early Years answers your questions

3 March 2017

Mark McDonald MSP
You gave us your questions for Scotland’s Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald MSP, about the childcare and early learning sector and its future.


 

View Scotland Knowledge Hub archive items here