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 

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 five 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

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: 

• How maths fits into the Early Years framework
  
• 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

Manual Handling 

Course Aim: To develop individual’s understanding of the principles of Manual Handling.  To gain the ability, knowledge and confidence related to working in Early Years and the moving and handling of furniture, equipment, toys etc. and to understand the legislative requirements. The course aims to apply what has been learnt to the working environment and to make work practices safer. 

Course Information: During the session we will discuss:-

The session will be certificated upon completion of a self-assessment questionnaire.

Delivered by: Angie Shaw, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager for a local company.                                   

Suitable For: Any Early Years Foundation Practitioners. There is no requirement for delegates to have any prior experience of manual handling and is suitable for beginners.

Date: Thursday 19th July  6:30pm - 9:00pm 

Venue: Tutshill Community Centre, Coleford Rd, Tutshill, Chepstow NP16 7NB

Cost: £25 members £35 non-members