News
KIDs Playwork Inclusion Project
As funding for the KIDS Playwork Inclusion Project (PIP) ends in March 2011 - they need to evaluate the impact that our work has had over the past 6 years in ensuring that disabled children and young people are included in mainstream play and leisure. Even if you have had minimal contact with them, PIP would be grateful if you would take the time to fill in the PIP questionnaire via the online survey
The results of this questionnaire to present as supporting evidence for PIP's continuation funding. All those who return a questionnaire will receive the new KIDS NDD Briefing, 'I have a right to play out too! - Celebrating outdoor play for disabled children' .
You will also be entered into a draw to win a bumper pack of all NDD publications, including the 3 books in the PIP guidelines series: 'It Doesn't Just Happen', 'Pick & Mix', 'Inclusion by Design' as well as a copy of the 'KIDS just got to have fun!' DVD.
Questionnaires should be completed no later than Friday 2nd April 2010 - please don't forget to enter your postal details if you would like a free copy of the new briefing.
CACHE Level 3 Playwork for Early Years and Child Care Workers
This new short course covers the theory and practice of children and young people's play. Open to playworkers aged 16 and over, it enables participants to build on and extend their professional skills and understanding. The programme is based on current thinking and offers hands-on practice-based learning.
The programme is funded by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and is therefore free to eligible participants. Register now using this downloadable application form or email play@bestpracticenet.co.uk
CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage
This is a nationally recognised award, part of the Primary National Strategy, and developed collaboratively by the Children's Workforce Development Council and awarding bodies such as CACHE. Units are assessed through assessor observation, a walk and talk tour of the setting and short reflective tasks. It is suitable for those who care for children as an employee, volunteer or student and helps demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.
For details of our open courses or to arrange your own in-house programme, please contact earlyyears@bestpracticenet.co.uk
BPN gains recognised quality management accreditation
On 11 November, Best Practice Network achieved ISO 9001:2008, the internationally recognised standard for quality and the preferred business management framework for over half a million organisations in 149 countries. ISO 9001 quality principles are customer focus; leadership; involvement of people; process approach; system approach to management; continual improvement; factual decision-making; and mutually beneficial supplier relationships. Achievement of the ISO 9001 accreditation demonstrates that we are
- focused on customer satisfaction
- compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements
- monitored by internal and external independent auditors to ensure that practice is continually measured, reviewed and improved
By mid January 2010, we had also achieved ISO 27001:2005 recognising our structured approach to information security management including
- identifying and combating potential risks to information assets
- meeting responsibilities and the requirements of data protection and privacy legislation
BPN's aim is to continue to deliver these objectives to a consistent high standard.
BPN Early Years Professional Network Conference
Best Practice Network's EYP conference took place in Birmingham on 13th November 2009. Marion Dowling led the day on The Significance of the First Two Years of Life. The EYFS stresses the importance of understanding how early development and learning unfolds and Marion helped participants to:
- be more aware of the huge developmental changes that take place with babies and infants from birth - two years
- gain insights into how a baby's brain is shaped by experience, in particular through close relationships
- reflect on the priorities for practitioners who work with babies and infants under two
- consider the role of a lead practitioners in supporting and promoting best practice
National Award for SEN Coordination
Best Practice Network is delighted to have been selected by the TDA to provide training and assessment for the National Award for SEN Coordination. This is a new programme that is a mandatory requirement for new SENCOs, for whom it is fully funded by the TDA. Our SENCO training programme is also open to those with more experience or working in the independent and private schools sector.
We recognise that the SENCO role is not an easy one. The workload is significant and there are often competing demands on the SENCO from both within and outside school. For SENCOs new to their role, spending long periods of time out of school can also create its own difficulties. For this reason, our programme is rooted in everyday practice and is organised in a way that allows the SENCO to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge, very much in the context of their day-to-day work, whilst getting to grips with their new job.
We will be providing opportunities for fully-funded SENCO training and assessment from October 2009 onwards in the following regions:
- South West
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire and Humberside
- London
If you are interested in participating, please download and return our application form now.
From 1 September 2009 amended regulations come into force that require the school governing body to ensure the person designated as the SENCO, who is new to the role, undertakes nationally approved training. The Regulations apply to community, foundation, voluntary mainstream schools, and maintained nursery schools in England.
The Regulations apply to any teacher who has been in post as a SENCO for a total period of not more than twelve months before 1 September 2009, or who subsequently becomes a SENCO and who has not previously been the SENCO at that or any maintained school for a total period of more than twelve months. SENCOs appointed new to role from September 2008 will be eligible for funding by the TDA.
Early Years Professional Status Conference
At the Children's Workforce Development Council's high profile and very well attended Early Years Professional Status Conference in Birmingham on July 14th, Best Practice Network ran a seminar to share EYPs' stories of "Being an inspiration". We used the acronym REACH to structure the session:
- Reflective
- Encouraging
- Active
- Creative
- Holistic
We explored how EYPs are being an inspiration by:
- extending the reach of their role so they are drivers for continuous improvement
- developing themselves and their colleagues as an integral part of their everyday work and role
Successful EYPs co-led the seminar, each sharing their own story of the way they are reaching out and encouraging participants to review and evaluate their own REACH. During the seminar session we asked the participants about the ways they developed and extended their own REACH and heard some other inspirational approaches.
HLTA Secondary Food Technology
Best Practice Network is delighted to be supporting the national Higher Level Teaching Assistant secondary food technology initiative in our role as Regional Provider of Assessment for the West Midlands and South West. With a government aim to train and recruit up to 750 HLTAs to support the introduction of compulsory food technology in key stage 3 from September 2011, BPN is working to:
- identify existing and potential food technology training providers
- promote the secondary food technology guidance document
- support local authorities in identifying schools and candidates
- engage with local authorities and schools to identify potential candidates
For more information, including dates and venues of our regional food technology briefings, please visit http://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/foodtech.html.
HLTAs Delivering Better Outcomes
Best Practice Network have produced a DVD for schools and local authorities to showcase some of the innovative and varied ways in which HLTAs can be used to raise achievement and deliver better outcomes for all.Based on six case studies, the DVD features HLTAs as they develop learners' skills and confidence and extend and personalise the curriculum they enjoy. It provides examples of ways in which supportive and forward thinking school leaders have extended the HLTAs' roles and responsibilities, enabling them to make greater impact and deliver better outcomes for the children and young people with whom they work.
Contact hlta@bestpracticenet.co.uk to order a copy of the DVD.
EYPS in Doncaster
Best Practice Network are delighted to be supporting the delivery of EYPS at the University Centre Doncaster alongside the University's BA (Hons) Top-up
in Early Childhood Studies. All candidates will receive specialist training materials and the support of their own, locally based tutor. For more information, please email Janine Ryan or telephone 01302 553553 extension 4172.
Leadership Pathway Information Sessions
The Leadership Pathways application window is now open. Best Practice Network are currently holding a number of taster sessions across the South West for participants and coaches who wish to find out more.
Professional Administrators Day - 22 April 2009
The tradition of a Professional Administrators Day began in America as Secretary's Day in 1952. Recruitment Moves have brought this to the UK and now organise an annual 'Best Professional Administrator' competition to give companies the opportunity to nominate an administrative worker who has led by example, perhaps mentored or trained others, but most importantly always goes the extra mile.
We were therefore delighted when the judges recognised the outstanding profesionalism of BPN's Rahim Ahmed (CWDG Senior co-ordinator) and Laura Borelli (Team Programmes Co-ordinator) by declaring them joint runners-up in this years event.
Sophie Simmonds and Heather Holbrook of Recruitment Moves came along to the Best Practice Network office on Monday 27 April to make the formal presentation of their awards - vouchers and a Jobs@Pertemps goodie bag (see left).
Best Practice in ...
Sign up now for one or more of our Best Practice in School Administration and Finance training days taking place in London and Central Birmingham during June and July 2009.Managing School Finances - Basic Skills provides a definitive guide to getting the basics right and provides advice, good practice examples and a procedures handbook for use back in school. The course is suitable for Finance Officers new to schools and also those wishing to further develop their skills and knowledge.
Managing School Finances - Advanced Skills covers strategies to ensure that the school follow best practice processes in managing the budget and allow informed financial decisions to be made by the governors and leadership team is essential to the success of the school.
Managing relationships and customer care in schools is a practical training day focusing on the role of the school receptionist. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their communication skills and strategies to effectively manage relationships when working with children and young people.
All sessions begin with registration at 9.00am and include lunch between 12.30 - 1.30pm. The scheduled finish is 3.45pm. Cost per participant per day is £195 + VAT. For more information or to reserve your place, download the flyer/booking form. You may also book online for Managing Relationships and Customer Care in Schools or Managing School Finances - Basic Skills and Managing School Finances - Advanced Skills.
Viborg EYPS Study Visit
Last month, 20 EYP participants from Dorset and Bournemouth went on a study visit to Viborg in Denmark to observe and experience a variety of Danish early years provisions, particularly outdoor environments. They had the to opportunity to immerse themselves in Danish kindergartens and forest schools, and were able to debate and discuss different practices with there EYP colleagues, Danish pedagogues and university staff. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all and highlights/comments included:
- Visiting the forest school on the first day - it had the 'wow' factor
- The variety of setting visits was inspirational - a fantastic mix of education and the outdoors
- The people were hospitable and lovely
- The relationships that have been built with fellow colleagues
- The balance of academic and practical, networking, evening discussions and the humour of our hosts
- Seeing brave, independent and competent children
- Our hosts answered all our questions in depth and in perfect English
Best Practice Network are delighted to have been able to shape and share in the EYPs learning experiences and look forward to running further visits for different groups in the future.
Shopping Centre Easter Egg Colouring Competition
During the Easter holidays Best Practice Network held a stand at The Galleries Shopping Centre in Bristol promoting Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). To help promote the programme to parents of young children we held an Easter Egg colouring competition for children to get creative with crayons, tissue paper, stickers and felt-tip pens.
As part of the competition we held a prize draw for two children who were picked at random. We are pleased to announce that Josh and Bella were the lucky winners of the puppet craft making kit and Easter bunny teddy bear. We would like to thank all of the children who participated. The day was a really positive event and demonstrated that parents value the qualification and experience of the staff in their children's nurseries, reflecting a positive response to EYPs and the work they do.
If you would like to see the excellent pictures from the day please visit http://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/easteregg.html