Functional Skills Level 2 ICT

• Do you or anyone in your setting require Functional Skills L2 ICT qualification? 
• Do you wish to up-skill your previous qualifications (O'Levels/GCSE's) with a more up to date qualification?
• Do you wish to develop your existing ICT skills or just refresh your current knowledge?   

Dates: 

Week 1,  Wednesday 18th April                            9.30am – 11.30am

Week 2,  Wednesday 25th April                            9.30am – 11.30am

Week 3,  Wednesday 2nd May                              9.30am – 11.30am

Week 4,  Wednesday 9th May                               9.30am – 11.30am

Week 5,  Wednesday 16th May                             9.30am – 11.30am

Week 6,  week commencing 21st May                 Exam - date and time to be confirmed

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £150 (includes above sessions, exams and certification)

In The Moment Planning 

Course Aim: To promote the use of effective observations and support effective evaluations and judgements to plan for the next steps of development.  Instead of thinking ‘Planning’, think ‘Enhancing’.

Course Information: This course will help you to understand about capturing a child’s current interests at a particular time and how to interact with the child to build on what that child is already doing.

During the session we will consider the following:-

•    What is In the Moment Planning?
•    Ways to interact
•    Ways to intervene to help move the child’s learning on
•    How this fits in with current legislation
•    How to plan and record ‘In the moment Planning’

Suitable for: Settings working with children from 0-5 years within the EYFS and anyone working with children who would like a better understanding of Observing and Assessing children.

Date:  Monday 30^th April   9:30am – midday

Venue: PATA

Cost: £25 members/£35 non-members

Introduction to Autism in Children

Course Information: During the session we will consider the following:

• What is autism?
• Communication: Theirs and ours.
• Sensory Issues: how these can affect the child's behaviour.

Date: Tuesday 1st May 10am to 12:30pm

VENUE: Chequers Bridge Centre

COST: £25.00 for members / £35.00 for non members

Autism in Children - Managing Behaviour

Course Information: During the session we will consider the following:     

• Managing challenging behaviour.
• Going on trips.
• Supporting the family.

Suitable For: This course is only available to those who attended one of our previous courses - 'Introduction to Autism in Children'.

Date: Tuesday 8th May 10am - 1:30pm

VENUE: Chequers Bridge Centre

COST: £35.00 for Members / £55 for Non-Members

Embedding Phonics in the EYFS

Course Aim: This course will provide you with the necessary skills to embed Phonics into the curriculum.

Course Information:  During the session we will discuss: 

• Understanding the importance of early exposure to phonics in the Early Years.

• How to use phonics effectively
• How to promote phonics in your setting and at home
• Phonics resources to use in your setting
  

Delivered by: Laura Gallop, an EYFS Specialist and Local School Reception Teacher who oversees Nursery Provision within the School.

Suitable For:  Any Early Years Foundation Practitioners and Managers

Date: Thursday 10th May                                  Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

Introduction to Children's Play

Course Aim: To raise students’ awareness of the value of learning through play for young children and to gain skills to provide appropriate play activities.

Course Information: A very hands on practical course looking at play from the child’s perspective, exploring why children need to play and how they learn from it. Learners will develop a folder of ideas, information, resources and recipes and be involved with other students in practical activities and discussions, sharing experiences and exchanging ideas. The course includes:

· Child development

· The role of the adult

· Health and safety

· Equal opportunities

· Practical play activities; using paint, natural and recycled materials, food and snacks, stories and music, playdough, developing imaginative play

Suitable For:  Anyone currently working with, or wanting to work with children. It is a recommended pre-course activity for anyone aiming to start a qualification, run a toddler group or volunteer in any early years profession.

Date: Monday 14th, 21st May, 11th, 18th, 25th June, 2nd July (6 sessions)

Time:  10:30am - 12:30pm

Venue: PATA Centre, Chequers Bridge, Painswick Road, Gloucester, GL4 6PR

Cost: £80 for members / £130 for non members 

Performance and Management (Part 1) - Supervision and Appraisals

Course Aim:  To provide managers with the confidence to conduct meaningful one-to-one meetings with their team.  This course will provide: the paperwork to accompany the meetings; the knowledge on what can be asked and documented; and what further steps should be taken once the meeting closes.   

Course Information: 

This informative and relaxed session will provide an overview on:

• Coaching techniques  - how to use meetings and observations to support your team in achieving their best

• How to give and receive feedback in a productive environment

• How to document, agree and evaluate SMART objectives

• How to complete One-to-one / supervision / appraisal forms

• How to conduct Return to Work meetings to decrease absence and support individual’s needs
                       

Suitable For:  All individuals in a management position – setting leaders and managers and committee members.

This is the first part of a three part course.  To compliment this course we are also able to offer:-

Performance Management (Part 2) - Performance Improvement Plans (Monday 11th June)

Performance Management (Part 3) - Conducting Investigations and Disciplinary Meetings (Monday 2nd July)  

Date: Monday 14th May 2018  7:00pm - 9:30pm (please arrive by 6:50pm)

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

Learning More About Tapestry

Course Aim: To provide an overview of some of the functions Tapestry has outside of the basic Learning Journal.  This will include Cohort Tracking and setting overviews.

Course Information:  

Tapestry is an innovative, interactive online learning journal which helps practitioners to capture children's experiences as well as monitor development and learning. This unique journal can be shared online with parents, who are able to see special moments and view their child's progress.

Suitable For:  This is suitable for anyone who has attended the 'Introduction to Tapestry' course on Monday 20th February or anyone who is already using Tapestry but who would like more in-depth knowledge.

Spaces on this course are limited.  Please contact the office if you require additional places.

Please note that this course will be led by an experience practitioner who has extensive experience of using Tapestry but is not an official Tapestry endorsed training event.

Date: Tuesday 15th May from 7.00pm-9.00pm (This date is now fully booked.  Please add your name to the waiting list and we will advise you of an alternative date or if any spaces become available on 15th May).

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

Working with Children

COURSE AIM: To give students’ excellent underpinning knowledge on working with children, and the options and opportunities to explore further training and career paths.

COURSE INFORMATION:

This four week course is a perfect follows on from our well established and successful Introduction to Children’s Play course. Full of discussions, small group activities and time for personal reflection the course gives learners an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of:

• The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum

• Up to date legislation and health & safety within early years childcare settings

• How to observe children and their interests

• Planning for play and the needs of the child

• Types of provision and career opportunities

• Their personal development and career planning

 Also included in the cost is the ARTEMIS e learning course (recommended price £25). This programme has been developed by, and for, members of the children's workforce.  It is a high quality e-learning package based on the seven induction standards developed by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). ARTEMIS will be completed in your own time. Access to a computer is essential.

SUITABLE FOR: 

Anyone currently working or wanting to work with children. PATA recommend this course for anyone aiming to start a qualification in childcare, those working or volunteering in toddler groups/playgroups or in any early years settings. Access to a PC is essential.  

DATES: Monday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th June and 2nd July (5 sessions)

TIME: 1:30pm- 3:00pm

VENUE: Bartongate Children's Centre

COST: £65.00 for members / £85.00 for non members

An Introduction to Tapestry

Course Aim: To provide a basic overview of the online learning journal - Tapestry.

Course Information:  

Tapestry is an innovative, interactive online learning journal which helps practitioners to capture children's experiences as well as monitor development and learning. This unique journal can be shared online with parents, who are able to see special moments and view their child's progress.

During the session we will discuss the basic working of Tapestry, including setting up a learning journal. writing observations and setting up staff and parent access. We will also consider safeguarding and permissions.

Suitable For:  Anyone new to Tapestry or anyone who is thinking of introducing Tapestry into their setting.

Please note that this course will be led by an experience practitioner who has extensive experience of using Tapestry but is not an official Tapestry endorsed training event. 

Date: Tuesday 5th June from 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

Performance and Management (Part 2) - Performance Improvement Plans

Course Aim: This course will provide managers with the next steps in managing performance in order to reach business goals.  This course will provide: the paperwork to accompany the meetings; the knowledge on what can be asked and documented; and the confidence to keep challenging weak performance.

Course Information: One-to-ones and supervisions provide the framework for strong teamwork, communication skills and an environment looking to improve.  However not all improvements are instant, understood or desired by every member of the team.

This informative and relaxed session will provide an overview on:

•          Brief review of One-to-one / supervision documentation and SMART objectives
•          The reasons behind the failure of team members to achieve their SMART objectives
•          The difference between Conduct and Capability
•          Implementing a Performance Improvement Plan
•          What options are available to mangers when improvements don’t happen

•         How to prepare for the potential of disciplinary action being taken.                                 

Suitable For:  All individuals in a management position – setting leaders and managers and committee members.

Please note: This course builds on knowledge learned during the Performance Management - Supervision and Appraisals workshop (being held on Monday 14th May).  It is possible to attend this workshop, as a stand-alone course, if you consider your one-to-one meetings to be adequately documented in order to support moving towards performance investigations. 

We are also delivering Performance Management (Part 3) - Conducting Investigations and Disciplinary Meetings on Monday 2nd July.

Date: Monday 11th June 2018  7:00pm - 9:30pm (please arrive by 6:50pm)

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

SEND (Early Intervention)

Course Aim:  This course will provide you with the necessary skills to identify the early signs of SEND and the course of action you will need to take.

Course Information:  During the session we will discuss:

• The role of the practitioner/SENDCo in supporting children
  
• Identifying early signs
  
• Discuss graduated pathways
  
• SEND paperwork, My plan , EHCP
  
• Working with professionals
  

Delivered by:  Miss Fran Barber,a qualified teacher of 18 years with 11 of those being the designated Special Education Needs co-ordinator for a primary School. Fran is also the West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership Lead SENCo.

Suitable For:  Any Early Years Foundation Practitioners and Managers

Date: Tuesday 26th June                               Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

Embedding Maths in the EYFS

Course Aim: This course will provide you with the necessary skills to embed Maths into the curriculum.

Course Information:  During the session we will discuss: 

• Understanding the importance of early exposure to phonics in the Early Years.
  
• The pivotal role that Mathematics plays in a child's development.
  
• What is problem solving and mastery
  
• Maths resources to use in your setting
  

Delivered by: Laura Gallop, an EYFS Specialist and Local School Reception Teacher who oversees Nursery Provision within the School.

Suitable For:  Any Early Years Foundation Practitioners and Managers

Date: Thursday 28th June                                Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

Performance and Management (Part 3) - Conducting Investigations and Disciplinary Meetings

Course Aim: To provide managers with the confidence to conduct investigations into all behaviour, conduct or capability concerns.  This course will then help attendees identify the best course of action to be taken in order to support sustainable improvements.  The course will provide all paperwork associated with disciplinary hearings. 

Course Information: This session will guide you through the step-by-step processes of:

• Understanding capability versus conduct based concerns
• How to conduct investigations and ensure that all associated paperwork is appropriate and supportive
• Who might need informing within external agencies, e.g. safeguarding investigations
• All paperwork associated with disciplinaries, from invitation, through the meeting and outcome letters
• Appeals – who may be involved
                           

Suitable For:  All individuals in a management position – setting leaders and managers and committee members.

Please note: This course builds on knowledge learned during the Performance Management - Performance Improvement Plans workshop (being delivered on Monday 11th June); however, it is possible to attend this workshop, as a stand-alone course.   

We are also delivering a Performance Management Supervision and Appraisals course on Monday 5th February.

Date: Monday 2nd July 2018 7:00pm - 9:30pm (please arrive by 6:50pm)

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members

EYFS in Action (2) - Planning Development Matters and School Readiness

Course Aim:  How to effectively plan to ensure a broad coverage of the EYFS Development Matters and to ensure school readiness.

Course Information:  During the session we will discuss:

• What does effective planning look like
  
• How can I utilise next steps to move children's learning forward
  
• How can I use tracking to monitor and ensure progress
  
• What is School readiness and how can we achieve this.
  

Laura Gallop, an EYFS Specialist and Local School Reception Teacher who oversees Nursery Provision within the School will be present to answer any questions you may have.

Suitable For:  Any Early Years Foundation Practitioners and Managers

Date: Thursday 5th July                                    Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £25 for members / £35 for non members