NDNA Launches Programme of Cost-Effective Regional Training Events to Support Nurseries

Aug. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- National Day Nurseries Association, Head Office, 29 July:  National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) today announced that it has launched a series of affordable regional training events to support nurseries in a number of essential areas including the Early Years Foundation Stage and safeguarding (supported by the Department for Education). In addition,  sessions on supporting children with Special Education Needs (SEN) and sustainability will also be available.

Priced at just £55 for NDNA members and £65 for non-members, the full day events are taking place at locations and dates around the UK. Delivered as interactive seminars, they are designed to support practitioners to update skills and knowledge in a number of essential areas. As full day events with lunch and refreshments included, delegates are able to select from a number of topic options that best match their needs. Seminars are also tailored to Wales and Scotland, with delegates in Wales able to attend a session on consulting with children and in Scotland an option to hear an update on childcare practice and legislative requirements.

Attendees at these courses can select from sessions including:

•   Keeping children safe from harm (morning): this will explore how nurseries can implement robust policies and procedures to keep children safe, including safer recruitment and putting systems in place to deal with any inappropriate behaviour
•   Special educational needs and disability awareness (morning): a session exploring the difference between disability and special educational needs and the legislation around these areas. Delegates will then explore how practice can be adapted and sources of help and advice
•   An update on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS –England only) (afternoon): this looks at the current EYFS framework and refreshes delegates on this, before going on to explore how the changes proposed for a slimmed down EYFS may impact on practice
Delegates attending a Wales or Scotland regional training seminar can select from a session on consulting with children (Wales only), or an update on childcare practice and legislative requirements (Scotland only)
•   Running a successful nursery business (afternoon): hear practical tips and strategies to ensure your nursery business is healthy and sustainable. This session will help you understand how to respond to a changing childcare market, and implement tried and tested tools and techniques.

Stella Ziolkowski, Director of Quality and Workforce Development at NDNA comments: “We are delighted to be launching this range of affordable, high-quality regional training events. Nurseries have reported that more than ever they need to be able to access training that meets their needs at a cost that is sustainable, and we believe that these seminars meet this requirement. By being able to select from a menu of sessions, settings can select a programme of training that best meet their needs. With a range of locations, settings will have access to a seminar that is accessible to them from a cost and travel time perspective and we are sure they will be very popular. In the challenging economic climate it is crucial to grow the skills of staff, and these sessions provide an ideal solution.”

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Notes to editors:  

For more information, to arrange interviews or photographs please contact Hayley Wilson on T: 01484 40 70 66 E: hayley.wilson@ndna.org.uk  
Further information about the courses and an online booking facility can be found at http://www.ndna.org.uk/regionaltraining  

The dates and locations of the regional training events are as follows:
•   20 September, Venue Cymru, Llandudno
•   22 September, Oakwood House, Maidstone, Kent
•   10 October, Colchester Centre, Colchester
•   13 October, Durham University, Durham
•   10 November, Luther King House, Manchester
•   24 November, Stafford Showground, Stafford
•   13 December, City Chambers, Edinburgh
•   February 2012 (date TBC) City University, London
•   6 March 2012, Huddersfield Town Hall, Huddersfield
•   8 March 2012, Voluntary Action, Bristol.

National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the sector, an integral part of the lives of nearly one million children and their families.

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National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity representing children’s nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children.