Introduction to Working with Children in Early Years Education

Course Aim:  A chance to find out what it’s like to work with children , what goes on behind the scenes and get some practical experience.  Be prepared to get your hands dirty!

Course Information:  10 X 2 hour workshops /sessions and a discrete volunteering opportunity such as planning and delivering a Stay and Play session. Alongside this, intensive help and advice to access a longer term regular work experience opportunity in an Early Years/Childcare setting and some on-line training which teaches underpinning knowledge.

WK 1  Introductions and course aims. Participants’ expectations. Hands-on Activity including preparing snack. Introduction to Volunteering in an Early Years/Childcare setting.

WK 2 Hands on activity – playdough, clay and natural materials. Child Development. The Role of the Adult

WK 3 Hands on activity – paint, junk and sticky. Health & Safety.  The Role of the Volunteer.

WK 4 Planning appropriate play activities. Planning a session.

Imaginative Role Play. Equal Opportunities.

WK 5 Bring ideas today for a session of Stay & Play, discuss and reflect. Begin planning the Stay & Play session.

WK 6 Continue planning for Stay & Play session and trial an activity.  Introduction to Safeguarding.

WK 7 Introduction to Paediatric First Aid.  Career Options and qualifications. Begin an Action Plan

WK 8 Final Preparations for the Stay & Play session.  Stories and music.  Any Questions?

WK 9 Run the Stay & Play session.

WK 10 De-brief and discuss what happens next. Goal setting and Action Planning. Activity on childcare related careers.

 

Suitable for:  Anyone with an interest in working with pre-school children.  A good refresher if you have worked with children before and are thinking of returning.

Date: Wednesday 3rd October, 10th, 17th, 31st October, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th November and 5th & 12th December

Time: 12:30pm - 2:30pm (please arrive at 12:15pm)

Venue: Elmbridge Under 5’s , Windfall Way, Gloucester GL2 0LN

Cost:     Free to participants on the Going the Extra Mile (GEM) project . If you are interested in participating on the project, please go to www.glosgem.org or contact Mary Jennings, Navigator Developer for the GEM Project on 07731 823347.

 

 

Promoting Positive Behaviour

Course Aim: To provide practitioners in early years settings with tools for dealing with behaviour and how to promote positive outcomes.

The course covers all aspects of behaviour for children.

Course Information: During this workshop practitioners will have an opportunity to discuss children’s behaviours which impact on their daily routine. We will share good practice and look at effective observation methods as a means to reduce unwanted behaviours. The workshop will look at the benefits of focusing on positive behaviour and the impact this has on a setting and a child’s self esteem. Every setting which attends will also be asked to bring a copy of their current behaviour policy which we will review.

Suitable For: Those working with children including Early Years Practitioners, Managers or support staff such as lunchtime supervisors and Out of School/Breakfast Club staff.    

Date: Monday 15th October 10:00am - 2:30pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre

Cost: £45.00 for members / £80.00 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 Practionioners and Managers

Date: Wednesday 17th October     10:00am - 1:00pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £35 for members / £55 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.                                

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 12th November)
• Performance Management (Part 3) - Conducting Investigations and Disciplinary Meetings  (Monday 26th November)

Date: Monday 29th October 2018  7:00pm - 9:30pm (please arrive by 6:50pm)

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

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

Using Signs to Support Communication

Course Aim: To support carers, settings and early years practitioners in understanding the benefits of using signs to support and aid children's language development and communication.          

Course Information: This introductory two part course will provide you with an overview of the benefits of using signs alongside spoken language for key words to support children's understanding of language and communication.  Learners will be taught a good number of signs relevant to children's everyday lives in the home and educational settings.   

On completion of this course you will have gained an overview and understanding of:

• different signing systems used with children and their similarities and differences
• the benefits of using signs with spoken language to support communication and language
• those children who may benefit from the use of signing to support their language and communication
• key words and the different levels of understanding
• a vocabulary of Signalong signs that you can take away and use to support children's communication.

The course fee includes a Signalong manual with over 200 signs which normally retails at £16

Suitable For: Those working with children with speech, language and communication difficulties in Early Years and Key stage 1, including Early years practitioners and school support workers (Teaching Assistants/Lunch Time supervisors/Classroom volunteers/OOSC staff)

Delivered by: Naomi Webber - registered Signalong Tutor and Speech and Language Therapist with experience working with children aged 0-7 years with and without complex needs.  

Date: Thursday 1st November (7:00pm - 9:30pm) and Thursday 15th November (7:00pm - 9:00pm) Please note both dates must be attended.

VENUE: Chequers Bridge Centre

COST: £55.00 for members / £90.00 for non members

Boys Will Be Boys? Closing the Gap

Course Aim: To support practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of how boys learn and develop strategies to channel their energies using practical ideas and reflective practice.               

Course Information: Research shows that there can be a massive gap in the development of boys compared to girls, with some being a whole year behind.  This course will consider ways to adapt your environment to make it more appropriate for different types of learning and how to be creative in engaging boys.    

"All children, irrespective of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties or disabilities, gender or ability should have the opportunity to experience a challenging and enjoyable programme of learning and development." (EYFS Statutory Guidance).

This workshop looks honestly at the behaviour of boys in your settings.  We will consider the innate hormonal, neurological and physical differences between girls and boys, and touch on how stereotyping may influence their play.  With a renewed understanding we will look at the enabling environment we provide and share practical ideas which will empower boys to achieve the best they can within your setting whilst building their confidence and self esteem.  

Suitable For: Anyone working or volunteering within an early years setting or preschool.   

Date: Monday 5th November 9:30am - 12:00noon

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre

Cost: £25.00 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:-

·         Safely undertaking manual handling tasks
·         Being equipped to carry out assessments of manual handling tasks
·         Identifying risks
·         The impact of manual handling injuries and how to avoid such injuries
·         How to identify potentially hazardous operations to reduce the risk of injury
·         To understand the legislative requirements
·         Workplace risk assessments
·         The duties of the employer and employee

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: Wednesday 7th November 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre

Cost: £25 members £35 non-members

Cohort Tracking

Course Aim:  To develop awareness and confidence in how to track for EYFS and how to monitor progress and individual groups (SEN, EAL).

Course Information:  Cohort trackers are the tracking tools used by all early years professionals to track each child’s development in all seven areas of the EYFS. They are an Ofsted requirement and will provide the necessary evidence to show how you have identified individual children's needs, how you have supported them and how their needs are being met.  

It is all too easy for practitioners to complete large amounts of paperwork but not actually make full use of the results found from completing the cohort trackers. Analysing each cohort tracker is vital to ensure every child is getting the support they need and to identify if a child is showing signs of delay or regression in an area of development. 

This course will give you the confidence and skills to undertake cohort tracking and be able to evidence this to Ofsted.

Attendees will be asked to bring with them information regarding where their key children and others are within their setting.

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

Suitable For: For anyone working within an Early Years Setting, Preschool or Reception.

Date: Thursday 8th November                             Time: 6:30pm - 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 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 29th October).  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 26th November.

Date: Monday 12th November 2018  7:00pm - 9:30pm (please arrive by 6:50pm)

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

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

Roles and Responsibilities: Key facts for your Committee

Course Aim: To provide committee members with the confidence to manage, influence, challenge, and support their pre-school or out-of-school setting.

Course Information: This relaxed and informative session is ideal for all new and experienced committee members and/or setting managers to exchange ideas and feel more confident in their role..

This session will

• Give an overview of a committee’s roles and responsibilities.
• Provide the tools needed to tackle unexpected and/or challenging issues - for instance: management concerns, complaint handling, safeguarding issues, Ofsted visits.     
• Have a chance for questions and answers from an HR consultant with extensive experience as a committee chairperson and from PATA's CEO who has extensive Early Years working knowledge.     
                           

Suitable For: Those involved in managing and leading settings – parents, committee members and managers.      

 Date: Monday 19th November (provisional date - to be confirmed)

   7.00pm - 9.30pm (please arrive by 6:50pm)

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

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 Practitioners and Managers

Date: Wednesday 21st November           10:00am - 1:00pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

Cost: £35 for members / £55 for non members

SEND 3 - Areas of SEND and the Graduated Pathway

Course Aim:  To identify areas of SEND in accordance to the Graduated Pathway and Guidance Booklet for practitioners (formally known as the Code of Practice).

Course Information:  During this session practitioners will become familiar with Gloucester County Council’s Graduated Pathway and Guidance Booklet.

• Areas of SEND
  
• Identification of SEND needs and the areas of SEND in accordance to the Guidance Booklet
  
• The Graduated Pathway
  
• My Plan, My Plan Plus and EHCP
  

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 Practitioners or Managers and those interested in supporting children with special educational needs.

Date: Wednesday 21st November                           Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm

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:

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 12th November); 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 29th October.

Date: Monday 26th November 2018 7:00pm - 9:30pm (please arrive by 6:50pm)

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

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

Autism in Children - Managing Behaviour

Course Aim: This is a top-up course for anyone who has previously attended one of our 'Introduction to Autism in Children' courses.            

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'.

Delivered by: Sara Watters, Lead Practitioner and Senior Learner Support Worker, HLTA and QCF Assessor for The Milestone School.  Sara has 20 years of classroom experience, 15 of which have been at The Milestone School.   

Date: Thursday 29th November 6:30pm - 9:00pm

VENUE: Chequers Bridge Centre

COST: £25.00 for Members / £35 for Non-Members

SEND 4 - Identification and Intervention

Course Aim:   To identify SEND, interventions and appropriate agencies to support children in accordance to the Graduated Pathway and Guidance Booklet for practitioners (formally known as the Code of Practice).

Course Information:  Using a case study practitioners will identify SEND needs and explore interventions, target setting and the process of ‘identify, plan, do, review’. They will gain a comprehensive understanding of accessing agencies to support their settings and SEND children. • Interventions • SMART targets • Agencies

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 Practitioners or Managers and those interested in supporting children with special educational needs.

Date: Wednesday 5th December                  Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

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

SEND 5 - Behaviour: Attention Seeking or Attachment Seeking?

Course Aim:   To gain a better understanding of the causes of behaviour and how to manage it within a setting.

Course Information:   During this session practitioners will explore what is meant by behaviour. You will explore your own experiences and ethos, challenge ideas and reflect on your own practice. Gain an alternative understanding of the rationale behind behaviour and begin to unravel the mystery of undesired behaviour from a therapeutic perspective. During this course Fran will share her own experiences and expertise as a SENCo, parent and from counselling theory. It will be a collective experiential course.

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 Practitioners or Managers and those interested in supporting children with special educational needs.

Date: January/February 2019 (date to be announced)    6:30pm - 9:00pm

Venue: Chequers Bridge Centre 

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

Anna Ephgrave - Planning In The Moment - FULLY BOOKED!

FULLY BOOKED.  ADDITIONAL DATE ON MONDAY 1ST APRIL 2019

Course Aim: To provide you with the necessary tools to help your children feel confident and independent especially through outdoor play and risk taking play.

Course Information:  The course will cover:-          

It will also touch on:-         

Suitable For:   Anyone working in Early Years (including Reception)

Date: Monday 18th February 9:00am - approximately 3:00pm

Venue: Hillview Evangelical Church, Hucclecote, Gloucester, GL3 3LX

Cost: PLEASE NOTE PATA'S NORMAL REFUND POLICY DOES NOT APPLY FOR THIS BOOKING.  WE ARE UNABLE TO GIVE REFUNDS OR CREDITS ONCE A BOOKING IS MADE.  WE CAN, HOWEVER, CHANGE THE NAME OF DELEGATES ATTENDING UP UNTIL MIDDAY WEDNESDAY 3RD OCTOBER.

FULL PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE INVOICE DATE BY BACS, CASH (AT THE PATA OFFICES) OR CHEQUE.  OTHERWISE YOUR WHOLE BOOKING WILL BE CANCELLED AND YOUR PLACES WILL BE OFFERED TO THOSE NEXT ON THE WAITING LIST.

Members:  Please join the waiting list. Anyone who registered on the waiting list for the 8th October course, who was not successful in securing places for that date, will be automatically offered places on the 18th February.

All new bookings will go onto the waiting list and we will allocate places from this strictly in time/date order.  You will be notified if you have a space as soon as possible. 

£185 (for two attendees) 

£270 (for three attendees)

£355 (for four attendees)

£440 (for five attendees)

£525 (for six attendees)

£610 (for seven attendees)

£695 (for eight attendees)

£780 (for nine attendees)

Non Members Please join the waiting list. Cost is £225 for first two attendees and £110 for additional attendees

£225 (for two attendees) 

£335 (for three attendees)

£445 (for four attendees)

£555 (for five attendees)

£665 (for six attendees)

£775 (for seven attendees)

£885 (for eight attendees)

£995 (for nine attendees)

Anna Ephgrave - Planning In The Moment

LIMITED SPACES REMAINING - PLEASE  'JOIN WAITLIST' TO BE ALLOCATED PLACES.

PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE ON 01452 541244 IF YOU REQUIRE ONLY ONE PLACE ON THIS COURSE.

Course Aim: To provide you with the necessary tools to help your children feel confident and independent especially through outdoor play and risk taking play.

Course Information:  The course will cover:-          

It will also touch on:-         

Suitable For:   Anyone working in Early Years (including Reception).  Anna has requested that at least 2 delegates attend from each setting in order to get the best out of the course.

Date: Monday 1st April 9:00am - approximately 3:00pm

Venue: Hillview Evangelical Church, Hucclecote, Gloucester, GL3 3LX

Cost: PLEASE NOTE PATA'S NORMAL REFUND POLICY DOES NOT APPLY FOR THIS BOOKING.  WE ARE UNABLE TO GIVE REFUNDS OR CREDITS ONCE A BOOKING IS MADE.  WE CAN, HOWEVER, CHANGE THE NAME OF DELEGATES ATTENDING UP UNTIL MIDDAY WEDNESDAY 27TH MARCH.

FULL PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE INVOICE DATE BY BACS, CASH (AT THE PATA OFFICES) OR CHEQUE.  OTHERWISE YOUR WHOLE BOOKING WILL BE CANCELLED AND YOUR PLACES WILL BE OFFERED TO THOSE NEXT ON THE WAITING LIST.

BOOKING OPENS FOR MEMBERS AND NON MEMBERS ON THURSDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER AT 10AM. PLACES WILL BE ALLOCATED IN STRICT DATE/TIME ORDER. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SPACES OR IF YOU ARE STILL ON THE WAITING LIST.

Members:  Please join the waiting list. 

£95 (for one attendee - please contact the office on 01452 541244)

£185 (for two attendees) 

£270 (for three attendees)

£355 (for four attendees)

£440 (for five attendees)

£525 (for six attendees)

£610 (for seven attendees)

£695 (for eight attendees)

£780 (for nine attendees)

Non Members Please join the waiting list. 

£120 (for one attendee - please contact the office on 01452 541244)

£225 (for two attendees) 

£335 (for three attendees)

£445 (for four attendees)

£555 (for five attendees)

£665 (for six attendees)

£775 (for seven attendees)

£885 (for eight attendees)

£995 (for nine attendees)