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OUR PUBLICATIONS > Mapping training and development provision for early years practitioners

OUR PUBLICATIONS > Mapping training and development provision for early years practitioners

CCE Research

Mapping training and development provision for early years practitioners


September 1, 2010

Author: SQW

Institution: SQW

Full reference: SQW (2010): Mapping training and development provision for early years practitioners. Newcastle: Creativity, Culture and Education

Summary of key findings

Creativity, Culture and Education commissioned SQW to carry out a mapping of training and development provision for early years practitioners in regard to working with cultural forms and encouraging children’s creative learning. The report provides an overview of early years provision and explores creativity and culture within early years. It maps the organisations responsible for governing, facilitating and delivering initial training and continuing professional development (CPD) for the early years workforce and identifies where these activities intersect with cultural sector organisations.

The report finds that where cultural organisations provide for early years children, this is typically not through any formalised links with early years strategic organisations. It suggests there is scope to build stronger linkages between some of the professional and training bodies working within early years and cultural organisations and agencies. The researchers report that the Early Years Foundation Stage framework is well regarded for recognising and enabling young children’s creative development. However, they suggest that training for implementing the framework may not cover the concepts underlying the provisions in relation to culture and creativity and they report concern amongst some stakeholders that current training does not build capacity for reflective practice.

The report suggests potential roles for CCE in influencing training for early years practitioners and supporting CPD through provision of resources and examples of effective practice. Although the study’s main focus is on early years professionals the report recognises that families and voluntary providers are very important for creativity and culture. It suggests CCE is well placed to collect and communicate evidence based and exciting examples of practice that makes an impact on families and children as well as practitioners.

Research Questions & Methodology

The study involved desk research, reviewing literature and web sources, and consultations with a range of stakeholders from the early years and creative and cultural sectors including a “round-table” discussion with a sub-set of those consulted. The report offers some case studies and lists examples of professional development in cultural form and creative development both from within the Creative Partnerships and Find Your Talent programmes and through other initiatives.

Read the report.