NDNA Knowledge Hub - Scotland

Get the latest early years and childcare updates across Scotland. 

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.

Wellbeing toolkit for children, adults and nursery staff launched 

21 September 2017

North 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

The 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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