Early learning and childcare staff are often some of the first professionals to identify additional support needs, or discuss, and deliver, learning support.
At Enquire, we know that early years professionals play a vital role in children’s lives. You are supporting children (and their families) right at the very start of their learning journey, and are often the first point where additional support needs or questions around the right to support begin to emerge.
That’s why we have developed a new early learning and childcare hub which offers advice and information specific to those working in this sector.
The changing landscape
Over the last few years, early learning and childcare has changed significantly, not least with the introduction and continued roll-out of the expansion to funded hours as well as a steadily increasing number of children presenting with support needs.
With longer days, changing routines and increasingly complex needs, we recognised that early years practitioners need clear, relevant and accessible information written for you, that is also reflective of a changing landscape. Advice and information that acknowledges the complexities, challenges and nuances of early learning settings – not simply adapted from school focused guidance or squeezed in as an afterthought.
Reflecting reality
These new pages are designed with early years settings in mind and focus on the children you care for every day, many of whom are at the earliest stages of identifying needs, accessing support and learning about their rights. We have been mindful of using inclusive, early years appropriate language that reflects your role and expertise.
We also know how busy early years settings are. Long and busy days on the floor can make finding time for professional learning and development incredibly difficult. That’s why these pages are made up of short, bitesize sections of information that can be dipped into whenever you have a moment – whether that’s at the start or end of the day or when a specific question arises. We have also included a FAQs page, answering common questions we hear from early years professionals, which we hope will be helpful if you are short on time and need an answer quickly.
The Enquire Early Learning and Childcare hub
Developed by our Early Years Offer, a former early years practitioner with experience across both local authority and private settings, the hub has been shaped both by the experiences, knowledge and expertise across the Enquire team but also through engagement with organisations who represent early years staff across Scotland. We hope it is reflective of real-life experiences and takes into account the nuances of the early years sector.
We want these pages to continue be shaped by the people who use them and be reflective of real-life experiences and circumstances. We will regularly review, develop and refine the content based on feedback from early years professionals to ensure the information remains relevant, practical and responsive to your needs.
By creating this dedicated space, we hope you, as early years professionals feel seen, included and supported and are reminded that no one has to navigate additional support for learning on their own.
The Early Learning and Childcare hub is located in the Professionals section of the Enquire website. Have a look around the hub here
