New learning resources to support early learning and childcare workforce in Scotland
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The Scottish Social services Council (SSSC) has launched new learning resources to support early learning and childcare workers at a Scottish Government event in Glasgow.

The free digital resources will support the workforce at a time of major expansion with recruitment of thousands of new workers to meet the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase free provision to 1,140 hours by 2020.

  • Observing children
    This online practice simulator allows workers to observe children at play while in different workplace settings to help them develop observation and recording skills, which play a key role in early learning and childcare.
  • Child development
    This app is an essential reference for early years practitioners in Scotland containing important aspects of national guidance and a mix of information and real world activities to support practice.
  • Mentoring for early learning and childcare services
    This app will help you implement a mentoring programme in your early learning and childcare service. It’s designed to help your service reach its potential and to support the continuous professional development of workers.

All of the resources are interactive and will support practitioners’ knowledge and understanding. By working through the resources they will also be able to gain Open Badges, which are a way of recognising and recording learning.

Welcoming the new resources Interim Chief Executive Lorraine Gray said: “The early learning and childcare workforce were one of the first groups on our Register and they embraced learning and development opportunities to form a strong sense of professional identity.

“Our new resources will help the workforce to continue developing good practice and with an estimated 11,000 new workers being recruited by 2020 we hope they will support all of those joining the workforce too.”

Maree Todd, Minister for Childcare and Early Years, opened the Early Learning and Childcare National Learning event at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Delegates from across Scotland attended the event to hear from a range of speakers and take part in workshops to support plans for early learning and childcare expansion.