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Equality and Excellence

Early Years Scotland Annual Review 2015 – 2016

in the Early Years

2 EARLY YEARS SCOTLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2015-16

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Who we are and what we doEarly Years Scotland is committed to providing the very best start in life for every child in Scotland. We are the leading national early years organisation for children pre-birth to 5.

There are two main strands to the work of Early Years Scotland:

1. MembershipWe offer membership for the following

• all Early Learning and Childcare settings, including nurseries and playgroups • local authorities • college and university departments • college and university students (individual membership)• practitioners and managers (individual membership) • Parent and Toddler Groups.

EarlyYearsScotlandoffersmanymembershipbenefits,suchasahelpline,curriculumandbusinesssupport, policy templates, specialist insurance and legal advice, a members’ area on our website, regular e-bulletins, and practitioner and parent magazines.

As the number of funded hours of Early Learning and Childcare continues to increase, Early Years Scotland aims to ensure that quality is not compromised.

2. Working Directly With Young Children and Their FamiliesOurqualified,professionalstaffalsoworkdirectlywithbabiesandchildrenandtheirparentsandcarersinvarious settings including local communities, nurseries, primary schools, family homes and in prisons.

Our work focuses on improving early learning and development through shared interactions and play between children and their parents.

Early Years Scotland's philosophy centres on the following:

• Prevention and Early Intervention • Two-generation philosophy • Practitioners as role models for children and parents • Evidence and assets-based approaches• Supporting children’s early learning and development • Emphasis on enriching the Home Learning Environment • Inclusivityandthebuildingofcapacity,capabilityandconfidence.

Underpinningallofthis,EarlyYearsScotlandengageswithpolicymakerstoinformandinfluencelocalandnational policy. We increasingly deliver professional learning opportunities for the sector. As the number of hours of Early Learning and Childcare continues to increase, we are here to support the workforce, children and families.

Our Aspiration We aspire to see a Scotland where every baby and young child’s life chances are enriched by high quality early learning and childcare which is affordable, accessible and in accordance with individual preference and need.


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Chairperson’s Report

A Message From our Chief Executive

Membership

Local Authority Nursery Members National Information Helpline Communications and Resources

Professional Learning National Annual ConferenceEarly Years Scotland Staff Development

Early Years Scotland Working Directly With Children and Families

Dumfries & GallowayForth ValleyScottish BordersGlasgowAberdeen CityAberdeenshire West DunbartonshireSupporting the African Community: Best Start 0-5Fife Baby MassageNorth Lanarkshire Toddler Support ProgrammeEarly Years Scotland In Prisons: Learning Together Through Play

Policy

High Public and Professional Profile

Quality Assurance and Improvement

Board of Directors 2015 – 2016

Financial Overview 2015 – 2016

Thank You to our Funders

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Contents

* The names of the parents and children in our case studies have been changed.

5 EARLY YEARS SCOTLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 – 2016

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The management team has represented Early Years Scotland at national and international conferences and has been members ofsignificantnational,consultative groups. The staff team has been working effectively with children and families, local councils

and the Scottish Prison Service, making a crucial difference to Scotland’s children.

We are facing challenging times as a nation, and it is more important than ever that we keep a focus on our work with Scotland’s youngest children and their families. We are fortunate that local councils and the Scottish Government are increasingly recognising our expertise and are turning to our staff for advice and services.

Last year’s conference was a resounding success with many people remarking that it was one of the best they have ever attended, and our respective

Chairperson’s Report

magazines for practitioners and parents continue to go from strength to strength. I believe that all of our successes grow out of our understandings of what is important and relevant to all those who work in the early years sector.

I would like to thank our Chief Executive and Depute and all of the Early Years Scotland staff. It is obvious from the many achievements this year that they continue to dedicate themselves to the work of the organisation.

I would also like to thank the Early Years Scotland Board of Directors. We are fortunate to have Board members with exceptional abilities, who support me personally, and continue to commit their time and energy to the continuing success of the organisation.

Finally, Early Years Scotland will, I’m sure, continuetofindopportunitiestosupportallofthosewho work in and depend upon, the support of the Early Years sector in Scotland.

As I look forward again to Early Years Scotland’s AGM and Annual Conference, I am struck by just how much the organisation has achieved in the past year.

Barbara Dale


In line with this exciting development, we launched our new up-to-the-minute website and modern management information system, which enables members and others to enjoy a more streamlined, efficientexperience.Thiswasreflectedinour

increasing membership numbers, and we were delightedtofindthatforthefirsttime,ourSaturdayannual conference had a record number of attendees and was so well attended that, for the firsttime,wehadtocreateawaitinglist!

Crucially, our funding applications and overall income continued to be healthy, enabling us to take forward a number of our developmental priorities including the implementation of our plan to replacetheone-size-fitsallmembershipmagazinewith brand new bespoke publications; one for practitionersandtheotherdesignedspecificallyforparents. This has been greeted with tremendous enthusiasm, especially when our magazines are now the only Scottish magazines created explicitly for the sector.

In line with membership changes brought in last year to include local authority provision, we were delighted this year, to open up our membership base further with the introduction of new categories for colleges, universities, individual students and practitioners. We very much look forward to taking our membership to new levels as we work with our memberstoimproveandshapethebenefitsinlinewith their diverse needs and interests.

As you read through this Annual Review, you will also see that our direct work with Scotland’s youngest children and families, has also progressed and expanded. Our Stay and Play provision, which now takes place in community venues, family homes, nursery and primary school settings and prisons has earned itself a new status and recognition with local authorities and Scottish Government are now exploring this as a potential form of funded provision under the ‘entitlement’ list of options.

Our work with children affected by imprisonment has also progressed, and we are now pleased to

be working in 5 prisons across the country, with a number of requests from other prisons just needing tobematchedbyfunding!

This year has also seen a marked escalation intermsofournationalprofileaswehavebeeninvited to represent the sector on a range of national working groups and other key events including the Early Years Strategic Forum, the Education Summit, the Early Years Summit, and we were also invited to co-launch the national Workforce Review at the University of Strathclyde. We were also honoured to be the selected organisation to represent the early years sector on the Commission to Widen Access to Higher Education where the First Minister wished to examine the barriers experienced by people livinginpoverty.Thefinalreport"ABlueprintforFairness"waspublishedon14March2016andwe were delighted when all recommendations were accepted by the government.

The year has also been characterised by the delivery of many presentations and the development of partnership working with our many existing and new partners. We were, for example, delighted to strengthen our support to the sector and our collaborative working with Education Scotland, through becoming an HMIE Associate Assessor, and we were also very pleased and privileged to sign a new Strategic Partnership Agreement with Glasgow Clyde College.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I would like to say a most sincere thank you to our partners and funders, without whom, we would be unable to support children, their families and all of those who work with and for our youngest and often most vulnerable, citizens.

Of course, all of our work is ultimately dependent upon, and as a direct result of, the huge commitment and expertise of our Board ofDirectorsandmagnificentstaffteam.Withoutsuch skill and dedication, we could not take forward our collaborative efforts to reduce inequalities and address the stubborn attainment gap which blights so many of our children’s lives depending upon the circumstances into which they happen to be born.

A Message from our Chief ExecutiveEarly Years Scotland’s new name and identity were welcomed across the sector and is already regarded as a ‘go-to’ organisation for all things early years!

Jean Carwood-Edwards


Worked in prisons with 56

families and 66 children

Delivered 1,650 Stay and Play sessions

In 2015 – 2016 Early years Scotland...

Supported 1,245 parents and carers in Stay and Play sessions

Supported 1,438 children in Stay and Play sessions


In 2015 – 2016 Early years Scotland... Delivered 385

baby massage sessions


There were 1,024 Members of Early Years Scotland in the 2015 - 16 membership year. Within this total number of members, which includes, for example, local authorities and voluntary organisations, we also supported 911 Early Learning and Childcare settings nationally.

Forthefirsttime,twolocalauthoritiesagreedtofundmembership fees for all of their Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings. Scottish Borders Council paid for all of their Early Learning and Childcare settings, including local authority, private and voluntary sector, within the authority, and Dumfries & Galloway Council paid membership fees for all of their local authority settings.

Local Authority Nursery Members This is a new membership category for Early Years Scotland. Previously we have focused almost exclusively on voluntary settings and our membershipbenefitshavebeendesignedwiththistype of setting in mind. However, over the past few years, there has been a steady and persistent

decline in the number of operational voluntary playgroups across the country due to increased regulation, registration and inspection requirements. Thishasbeenreflectedinaconcomitantdecreasein our membership numbers and so it was decided that we would broaden the boundaries of our membership categories to include additional member types. This has meant that we have had to tailorbenefitstosuitthenewmembers’needs.

Towards the end of the year it was also agreed that next year, our member types will expand further to include universities, colleges and individual practitioners and students.

National Information HelplineWithapproximately1,400callstoourhelplinelastyear, our information service has given support to our members on a very wide range of matters. These have included constitutional queries, curriculum queries, employment issues, health and safety matters, PVG checking, committee issues, policies, Scottish Social Services Council qualificationrequirements,medicalandgeneralinsurance,financialissues,andinspectionqueries.

Membership


Membership

1,024 Members of Early Years Scotland in 2015 – 2016

“We use our membership a great deal, particularly around policy making and best practice. Through Early Years Scotland we can use the information to inform best practice in the development of our service for vulnerable children and families within our care.” Manager, Early Learning and Childcare Setting

InsuranceEarly Years Scotland’s insurance package for members is managed by RSA Insurance. Our helpline information services dealt with many enquiries regarding insurance cover. At all times, responses were delivered in a timely, professional manner.

Ensuring that effective, appropriate insurance cover is in place is essential for all voluntary and private settings. Early Years Scotland guides members through the insurance application process as understanding the insurance landscape can be confusing for many people who are not used to the world of insurance. Early Years Scotland receives excellent feedback on this service.

Communications and ResourcesOur communications with members and other stakeholders have continued to develop using electronic news bulletins and our increasing use of social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. We have consulted our members through our annual membership survey. Since the new Early Years Scotland website was launched in April2015therehavebeen24,000uniquevisitorsto it. It includes an enhanced members’ area which features new resources.

Social Media Increasing the use and effectiveness of Social Media has been an important area of development. Early Years Scotland’s Facebook and Twitter popularity has risen exponentially over the year.ThemainFacebookpagerecorded2,680‘Likes,’

anincreaseof350%!OursevenlocalFacebook

pages, used to promote our Stay and Play, Baby Massage, Baby Play and Messy Play sessions in anumberofareas,haveatotalof2,760‘Likes’between them. The number of followers on Twitter hasrisenfrom1,172to2,965,anaverageincreaseof149permonth.Therehavebeen16,500visitstoourprofilepage.WehaveuploadedninefilmsontoourYouTube

channel. These have included our annual conference, our ‘What Makes Scotland’s Children Smile?’filmandthefilmaboutourworkinHMPLowMoss produced by the Community Channel. There hasbeenatotalof2,600viewings.

Annual Membership Questionnaire

Our two Annual Membership Surveys were distributed in June to Early Learning and Childcare settings and Parent and Toddler Groups respectively.Reportshighlightingthekeyfindingsfor both have been published and shared with our members, partners and across the wider sector.

Magazines

The Early Years Scotland Practitioners’ Magazine and its sister magazine for parents ‘Parent Chat 0-5’havecontinuedtobewellreceivedand to be a valuable source of news, professional development and best practice for readers. They are both produced three times a year and the content is very much informed by the respective readerships and through the Critical Friends Group which meets to discuss each edition of the magazines and provide feedback to inform future issues.


most income and the evaluations were excellent. We hope to recreate such a successful event next year.

Early Years Scotland Staff Development

StaffhavebenefitedfromattendingtheStaffConference and other training sessions such as, for example, Practitioner Study Days, Outdoor Learning, and Supporting Families Affected by Imprisonment in the Early Years.

Through the Mellow Futures for Dads programme forfatherswhohavelearningdifficulties,oneEarlyYears Scotland Early Years Practitioner, attended training in order to mentor and support a single dad with Asperger Syndrome.

Examples of our training sessions given externally have included:

• East Renfrewshire Council: Effective Environmentsfor2-5yearolds

• Dumfries & Galloway Council: Inspiring Environmentsfor2yearolds

• M.Ed. Glasgow University Students: Focus on Curriculum for Excellence Early Level

• Stirling University: Focus on Curriculum for Excellence Early Level and planning environments

• A range of presentations have been delivered to a variety of audiences.

Professional Learning

Dr Margy Whalley, Director Of Research, Pen Green Research Centre (left), and Maria Aarts, Director, Marte Meo International (right), were the keynote speakers at Early Years Scotland’s National Conference

National Annual Conference

Three hundred delegates attended our annual national conference. The conference, which took place in October in Glasgow, had the theme ‘Building our Ambitious Early Years Workforce’. Opened by Big Noise Govanhill, Sistema Scotland’s Children’s Orchestra, the conference was chaired by Kirsty Wark, Broadcaster and Journalist. Our speakers included:

• Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Children and Young People.

• Maria Aarts, Director, Marte Meo International. • Dr Margy Whalley, Director of Research, Pen

Green Research Centre.• Maureen Mallon, Assistant Director, Children

and Families, Education Scotland.• Kathryn Chisholm, Early Learning and

Childcare team, Scottish Government.• Heather Douglas, Early Years Manager,

Glasgow City Council.• Henry Mathias, Head of Inspection,

Care Inspectorate.

Our conference was a huge success as it had the most

delegates any of our conferences have had to date. It generated the


Working with Children and FamiliesDumfries & Galloway

We were delighted to work in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council to create and appoint the new post of Early Years Training OfficerPre-BirthtoThree.RebeccaMcKieworked with the Council’s Early Years Team to support Early Learning and Childcare settings across the authority. Rebecca has also worked with children and families providing Baby Play, Messy Play and Baby Massage sessions. She haswitnessedparentsgrowinginconfidenceandself-esteem. Rebecca describes the progress of one family:

‘One young mum, who had started to attend with a support worker, has developed greatly in relation to herconfidenceandinteractionwithotherparents.She had suffered from severe anxiety and initially would not interact with her child or others but is now bonding with her child through song and messy play experiences and interacting with other parents. Her confidencehasgrownandattheendofthesetofsessionsshesaid“IthinkIfeelconfidentenoughto come to the next set without my support worker”. This was an indication of positive progression and since then, both she and her child have gone from strength to strength in terms of increasing and improvingconfidence,learningandskills.

The Local Perspective: Support on the Ground


“One mum felt that she needed extra support with her child. Towards the end of the sessions, the child was more engaged and the mum seemed happier and more confident.” Hannah Fitzpatrick, Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner

Years Collaborative successful ‘Test of Change’ was undertaken at a Parent and Toddler Group. Through the delivery of workshops, the parents and groupleadersawthebenefitofhealthiersnacksandbecameconfidentenoughtoleadtheactivitiesthemselves.

Scottish Borders

Working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council,wehavesupported160EarlyLearningandChildcare settings and Parent and Toddler Groups. Early Years Scotland Development and Support Officer,MarieMcQuade,hasworkedwithprivate,voluntary and local authority settings to offer them specialist support aimed at improving practice, reducing inequalities and promoting understanding of the importance of play with both practitioners and families. She has worked to enhance community development in rural and urban areas and supported the settings in effecting high quality management practices.

The implementation of the Scottish Borders procurement framework has been supported by Marie. Settings have been given advice and support and work has been undertaken to increase the capacity of parents and committees in the delivery of a high quality service. Partnership working has taken place with local authority staff, NHS Borders, community leaders and early years specialists across the area, who collaborate to develop sustainable solutions and improved outcomes for children and families. Advice, guidance, practical support have been given, and shared practice has taken place with all early years professionals.

The mum now supports new parent participants to adjust to the routine of the session, and she is happy to chat with new people to enable them to feel at ease and part of the group. She told one parent: “I don’t know what I would do without this group, as it’s the only one I feel comfortable going to and John loves it”.’

1-1 Support Service

Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner, Hannah Fitzpatrick, describes the impact of the 1-1 Support Service with one family:

‘One mum felt that she needed extra support with her child, as she didn’t understand what her child wanted or needed most of the time. Her child didn’t speak and only communicated through pointing. Themumfoundthisdifficult.Thesessionsprovidedher with the opportunity to seek support and put in place strategies for her child. Towards the end of the sessions, the child was more engaged and themumseemedhappierandmoreconfident.Shecommented: “As the sessions have progressed I’ve been able to use what I’ve learnt to understand what my child wants, and feel I now have a stronger bond with her.”

Forth Valley Off to a Good Start

Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner, Catherine Johnston, has worked with Parent and Toddler Groups, the Health Improvement Team and other agencies to develop the ‘Off to a Good Start’ programme. Early Explorer workshops were delivered throughout the Forth Valley area.

Parents and carers were encouraged to support their children’s learning experiences and then replicate these at home. Activities included play dough, books and stories, painting, parachute, shakers, singing, music and movement, collage and sticky pictures, drawing, treasure basket and healthy eating.

In connection with Forth Valley Health Improvement Team ‘Make and Taste for Tiny Tums’ and ‘Setting the Table’ programmes, Catherine used a tool kit within group settings to raise awareness about healthy eating. A Community Food Activity Grant was awarded to provide funding for buying fresh resources. An Early


Glasgow City Council

Working in partnership with the Council, Eliza Scoffield,ourDevelopmentandSupportOfficer,hassupported13PartnerProviderEarlyLearningandChildcaresettings,7NonPartnersettingsand47Parent and Toddler groups to support the children’s wellbeing, learning and development. Invaluable support has been given to the children and families and help given to sustain future provision. Settings havefedbackcommentsonthebenefitsofoursupport:

‘Advice on the structure of our group has been great’ ‘We have been supported in management issues and practical ways.’

‘Eliza helped with policy making, parent/staff interaction and committee affairs.’

We have also networked within the local area forums, Council partnership forums, Strategic and Health and Well-Being Locality events and the ‘Thriving Places’ community breakfast meetings. We have made new partnerships within the Glasgow Community Planning Partnership North East Thriving Places network, working collaboratively to make better use of the existing resources within the community, using an asset-based approach to maximize the community’s capacity, skills and strengths.

Glasgow City Council and NHSTogether We Can Sessions

Within the south side of Glasgow, Early Years ScotlandEarlyYearsPractitionersdelivered239sessions in Parent and Toddler Groups. The aim is to improve family health and wellbeing and to raise parents’ awareness of their primary role in supporting their child’s learning and development. The sessions have promoted healthy lifestyles, a healthy diet and awareness of oral health. They have promoted physical exercise and play experiences for young children and their parents and carers.

Dawn Martin, Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner, describes a typical physical play session:

‘We started off with a small warm up by stretching up high, down low and doing star jumps. We then engaged in music and movement and carried out “Funky Monkey” and “Let’s go walking”. The children followed me around the room and copied the actions. The parents joined in and encouraged the younger children to move. They were very enthusiastic and laughing at some of the moves we had to do. At the end of our workout the children hadacooldownandwesatonthefloorstretching

The children received stickers and everyone received a round of applause for their efforts. TheparentswhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglishexpressed their appreciation when they were leaving. The physical play was well received. When I returned the following week a parent said to me, “I am so glad you’re here this week, it was my little girl’sfirsttimeherewhenyoudidtheexerciseclassand she’s spoken about you every day, saying Mummylet’sdoexercises,liftyourknees!”’

Stay and Play Glasgow North and South: Just Coping

Following on from the success of the Glasgow City Council pilot project, this service was extended for another year. We have maintained close contact with the council to assist in settings where there is a need to provide additional services for families who are experiencing disadvantage, thus creating better outcomes for them. The aim is to improve the nurture and development of children aged 0-5years.WehavedeliveredeightStayandPlaysessions in Glasgow North and South. Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioners, Diane Hunter and Tracey Docherty, established strong links with primary and nursery schools and community centres, to offer support to families.

The children have learnt new skills through shared play and learning experiences with their parents and carers, and had the opportunity to socialise with others and make friends. Families have taken part in simple, fun, cost effective activities which

“I introduced a range of simple, low cost activities such as play dough, home link bag, songs, stories and messy play. I encouraged all the parents to try out the experiences at home to promote shared play and learning.” Margaret-Ann McGoldrick, Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner


can be carried out at home such as play dough, planting seeds and making healthy snacks. Song books, messy play, activity information handouts and Parent Chat magazine have been provided. Parents’confidencehasdevelopedthroughtakingpart in shared play, and has allowed them to be more comfortable continuing this at home.

One parent remarked: “The sessions have beenreallybeneficialformydaughter.Theyallowopportunities for learning about sharing, waiting in turn and seeing tasks through. This is really valuable. My daughter started nursery recently and has settled very well after a short time. I have no doubt that the sessions have contributed to her successful transition to nursery. Overall, the sessions are enormously valuable to us. It’s clear to methatmydaughterhasprogressedsignificantlyinherdevelopment,confidenceandbehaviour.Mostimportantly, she enjoys the sessions, has formed friendships, and has fun.”

South Glasgow

Funded by the Big Lottery, six Stay and Play sessions and two baby massage sessions per

week have been provided. Baby massage sessions have been delivered in Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre and Castlemilk Health Centre. We have also delivered Baby Stay and Play sessions as a follow on from baby massage.

The sessions in Darnley Street Family Centre and St Ninian’s Hall, Glasgow, focused on parental confidence, child development and learning, attachment and early intervention. The group was attended mostly by Pakistani parents and their children aged between 0-5 years. Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner, Margaret-Ann McGoldrick, describes how one family has been helped, whose second language is English:

‘A mum started to attend the group with her daughters,4weekoldZalaand18montholdMana,along with a friend. She had little English, and was unable to engage fully with me or others, except for her friend. On arrival they would sit and not engage with anyone else. At snack time, most of the children sat at a table to socialise. Asshelackedtheconfidencetosocialiseshe

would collect the snack and take it back to the


seated area for her children. Mana was a quiet child who stayed close to her at all times, and only played where she sat with her friend.

To help the family to fully engage with the group, I encouraged her to join the activities. I was able to build up a relationship, with the help of the friend who couldtranslate,soherconfidencegrew.Manainitiallywas unable to share the resources, would become frustrated, hit others and become extremely upset. Themumtoldmethis“wasverydifficult”anditoftenresulted in them leaving early.

I encouraged her to follow my lead and get down to her child’s level and interact with her. I introduced a range of simple, low cost activities such as play dough, parachute play (with blanket or scarfs), chalk boards, home link bag, songs, stories and messy play. I encouraged all the parents to try out the experiences at home to promote shared play and learning. Our sessions also took place at the local park which helped them to access amenities and to build friendships. This in turn assisted the mum with her language. The children are engaging more with others and the mum’s trust in the group increased and sodidherconfidence.Shebegantodemonstrateanincreased understanding of child development.

She is now more relaxed and in control of situations, and able to support her child’s play at any time. Her English has improved and she is communicating more with me and others. Her confidencehasgrowntotheextentthatsheisnoweven able to support other new mums.’

We have continued to develop our partnership with Daisy Chain Early Years Project in Govanhill (part of CrossReach). Sessions for the Loc de Joaca, ‘place to play’ group, for the Roma community have taken place. This group has continued to be popular. With support from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Improvement Team, a tooth brushing programme has been delivered in the group.

Parents who attended St. Ninian’s Stay and Play sessions in East Pollokshields, Glasgow, have successfully completed an introduction to a paediatricfirstaidcoursedeliveredbyGlasgowClyde College. A crèche place for the children was offered which provided an opportunity for the children to play and learn whilst enabling all of the families to access the training.

My son is much more ready for nursery since attending the group. The sessions have helped improve his social skills as he is playing alongside other children.“


“Foster carer Carol uses the activities to add to the children’s ‘life stories’ where she records what they have been doing during their time in her family. She feels it is important that the children get the chance to socialise and that it is good for her too.” Susan Emery, Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner

Aberdeen City

Early Years Scotland continues to work in partnership with the Council helping to contribute to the City’s Early Years Strategy to ensure that all the children have the best start in life.

We provide a support and advice service to Early Learning and Childcare settings to improve learning outcomes for children and families. The Early YearsScotlandDevelopmentandSupportOfficerhas supported voluntary management committees with a variety of issues, including governance, regulation, quality improvement, sustainability and policy and procedures. Regular contact through emails, our website and e-bulletins keeps settings up to date with news, information and changes in policy from Scottish Government, SSSC and the Care Inspectorate.

Since2014BigLotteryhasfundedourStayandPlay and Baby Massage sessions within Aberdeen City. We have received positive feedback from parents who have attended our Stay and Play sessions:

‘Thanks for making Monday mornings enjoyable, I’ve enjoyed getting to know other mums and my daughter loves playing with the other children.

‘It has been great coming to the group this past year. My son has loved it and I enjoyed it too.’

‘My son is much more ready for nursery since attending the group. The sessions have helped improve his social skills as he is playing alongside other children.’

Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner, Susan Emery, describes the experience of one family attending the Stay and Play sessions:

‘When foster carer Carol with two children (Ken and Alex), attended the sessions, initially both children were very shy and Ken in particular was extremely clingy. It was hard to begin with as Carol was unable to participate in the activities without assistance. Fortunately staff and other parents were always willing to help. Carol was apprehensive initially about coming to the group,

as she is older than most of the parents, and it isn’t always possible to explain that she is a foster carer to the children, so she was unsure howshewouldfitin.KenhasgraduallybecomemuchmoreconfidentandnowusesCarolasasafe base to explore the activities. Carol uses the activities to add to the children’s “life stories” where she records what they have been doing during their time in her family. She now feels confidentattendingandishappytoshareherparenting experience with others. Ken is much moreconfidentandwillplayalongsidetheotherchildren often leaving Carol with Alex, while he goes to do something by himself. Alex isn’t walking yet, so Carol is often trying to be in two places at once, but everyone seems happy and they all enjoy the sessions. Carol feels it is important that the children get the chance to socialise and that it is good for her too. She has found the staff to be very helpful and supportive.’

Parents who attended Stay and Play sessions in Tillydronehavebenefitedfromapaediatricfirstaidcourse delivered by AJM First Aid. A crèche place for the children was offered which provided an opportunity for the children to play and learn whilst enablingtheadultstobenefitfromthetraining.

Aberdeenshire

Early Years Scotland Development and Support Officers,LisaGray,SheilaLanningandHannahCurtis have worked to support Early Learning and Childcare settings. Time has been spent with committees looking at their roles and responsibilities,governance,financialmanagement,staff management and retention, policies and procedures, communication, improvement plans, leadership and direction. Bespoke plans have been implemented to support the settings.

Lisa Gray describes how one group benefited from their support:

‘After an unannounced inspection to a playgroup by the Care Inspectorate, the group was faced with a long road to climb as they had been awarded Grade2(Weak)inallfourareasoftheirinspection.The chairperson contacted the group’s Early Years ScotlandDevelopmentandSupportOfficerandtogether with the committee, a support plan was


“Before attending stay and play, one mum had struggled to form an attachment with her child... now she sits and reads stories, cuddles her child and responds to her needs.” Amanda Hay, Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner

developed and also a planning and monitoring calendar, to ensure the requirements and recommendations of the inspection were followed up and their action plan was undertaken.

Following a re-inspection, the group raised its gradessignificantlytothreeGrade4s(Good)andone Grade 3 (Adequate). The report stated that the committee, manager and staff had worked hard to improve outcomes for the children and it was evident that a good working relationship had developed and that this had contributed to the smooth running of the playgroup. TheChairpersonsaid:“Ifeelmuchmoreconfident

and happy, thanks to the supportive visits, phone calls and emails from Early Years Scotland.”’

Our Early Years Scotland Development and SupportOfficershavealsosupportedparentsandtheir children in the Parent and Toddler Groups, through delivering ‘Together We Can’ parachute, Bookbug, songs and rhymes, messy play and healthy eating workshops.

West Dunbartonshire

Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioners, Tracey Docherty and Caroline Wilson, ran twice weekly pilot sessions for ten weeks in Brucehill Community Centre, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire. The families who attended explainedthattheyhaddifficultyfindingotherplacesto take their children. One mum had even travelled from Glasgow to come as she attended another Early Years Scotland Stay and Play there, but wanted to go to more. During the sessions, the parents and children interacted well together and new friendships were formed.

Supporting the African Community: Best Start 0-5

The Best Start ‘drop in’ pilot sessions were delivered by Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioners, Diane Hunter and Dawn Martin, in Barmulloch Community Centre and The Pearce Institute, Govan, Glasgow. Working in partnership with Wheatley Group, the project aim was to enhance attachment and bonding between children and their parents. Early Years Scotland delivered these sessions for ten

weeks in each venue. Parents commented that they were ‘impressed by the service that was provided and thefactthatitwasfree!’

Fife

In Glenrothes Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner, Jo Cockburn, set up an initial six week blockofmessyplaysessionsforchildrenaged18monthstostartingschool,afterparentshadidentifiedthat there was lack of provision for their children. Messy play for babies and baby massage was provided and with support from physiotherapy health professionals, a baby sensory group was established.

Playgroups and Parent and Toddler Groups in theFifeareahavealsobenefitedfromsupportandguidance.

Baby Massage

Babymassageishighlybeneficialforbothbabiesand parents. Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioners have provided a range of popular courses in Aberdeen City, Dumfries & Galloway, Fife and Glasgow. They have taken place both in community venues and also in prisons. Imprisoned fathers have learnt how to massage their babies and have gained an understanding of how it strengthens and improves bonding with their infants.

Hannah Fitzpatrick, Early Scotland Early Years Practitioner, describes the experience of one parent:

‘Whenthemumfirstarrivedatthegroupsheseemedquiteconfidentandwasabletotalktotheothers. During the sessions however, her baby cried throughout. She told me that it appeared that her baby didn’t like being there. I explained that the massage is a new experience for both mum and baby, and that it was important to keep persevering with it, but as the weeks progressed her baby still didn’t settle. After the block of sessions came to an end, when I said that I was going start another, she decided to come back and give it another try. Her baby was more settled this time. She was able to massage her baby, who seemed to learn to relax much more and no longer became upset.


“Baby massage has provided the opportunity for me to bond with my child and learn something that will help him.” Parent

Shebecamemorehappyandconfidentwithwhatshe was doing.

Another parent told me: “Baby massage has provided the opportunity for me to bond with my child and learn something that will help him.”

North Lanarkshire Toddler Support Programme

Covering Moodiesburn, Stepps, Coatbridge, Airdrie, Shawhead, Wishaw, Motherwell, Craignuek and Cumbernauld, Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioners, Karen Colquhoun and Amanda Hayhavesupported28familiesand36childrenwithinsixStayandPlayGroups,and146familiesand156childrenwithinsevenParentandToddlerGroups.

Through this work, parents have felt encouraged andconfidentenoughtoprovideplayactivitiesfortheir children at home such as making, Christmas cards, lanterns, paper plate crafts, gloop and playdough, using paint and glue, and enjoying role play. Families have been encouraged to experience Bookbug sessions and to continue attending these at their local library.

Early Years Scotland Early Years Practitioner Amanda Hay, describes how the Stay and Play sessions have supported one family:

‘Nursery staff referred the family to our Stay and Play sessions as they felt that the parents could benefitfromhavingadditionalsupporttohelpthem

understand the importance of play. Before starting, the mum had struggled to form an attachment with her child and relied on the dad to do things for them, for example changing nappies and playing. The mum stood back a lot and did not respond to her child and was very guarded and reserved. She was very anxious and suspicious of different people and situations. The family did not always participate in the planned activities, however, over time the mum started to participate in free play and encourage the child to explore and try new experiences.

The progress she has made has been phenomenal.Whenshefirststartedshedidnotchange nappies or cuddle her child and now she sits and reads stories, cuddles her and responds to her needs. The attachment and bond between them is greater now and the child looks for her and chooses to sit with her, whereas before the she would look for the dad or a familiar face before going over to her. The mum told me: “I have more confidenceinbeingmychild’smumnow,andIenjoy playing and discovering new things that I didn’t do as a child, like making play dough.”’

The Learning Together Through Play Programme has taken place in HMP and YOI Grampian, HMP Dumfries, HMP Low Moss and HMP Barlinnie, Glasgow. It includes the Early Years Scotland fathers' programme, family play sessions and baby massage sessions.

The fathers’ programme covers topics such as brain development, attachment and bonding, child development, health and wellbeing, children’s

Early Years Scotland In Prisons: Learning Together Through Play

rights, home safety, the importance of play and Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC). The play sessions have provided opportunities for the families to interact, improve attachment and let them see how children learn through play, but most of all they have shown how much fun it is for all the family.

A new service, which delivers family play sessions and the Learning Together Through Play fathers’ programme, began in February in HMP Barlinnie.

In HMP Dumfries Prison, a prisoner started attending the Early Years Scotland (EYS) Learning Together Through Play Programme for dads, and at that time, he did not have any family visits with his children, although he had contact with his children by telephone. He could not see the value or importance of playing with his children and did not want them to visit him in a prison environment.

Our Learning Together Through Play Prison Programme for dads aims to support the Scottish Government’s vision for Scotland to be the best place to grow up. The programme also supports the Play Strategy for Scotland, by valuing the role of play and learning in homes, nurseries, schools or communities. The programme highlights the

importance of play and learning through shared experiences with parents/

carers. We have an emphasis on the importance of the parent’s time spent with their child which supports quality time for play, which is seen as a life-

enhancing daily experience for our children. We are very proud to have received a SSSC Care

Accolade Award for this

programme. During

our prison programme, the dad indicated

that he never played with his children and he didn’t actually

know how to do this. Throughout the programme, he participated in a range of play activities - for example, making playdough or gloop, building train sets, sand and water play, or parachute play. Following each activity, the Early Years Practitioner discussedthebenefitsoftheplayandlearningexperiences and emphasised the use of low cost/no cost resources and how to improvise and support play, both indoors and out.

His children then started attending the prison family play sessions at dad’s request. However, dad struggled to interact and appeared to be uncomfortable engaging in shared play activities.

With the support of our Early Years Practitioner as a role model, dad began to engage in messy play activities, block play and, through time, he started participating in singing and rhyme games with his children, when he became familiar with the wordsandtherebydevelopedhisconfidence.Aftera while, during one play session, the youngest child asked dad to read to her, and he took the book without hesitation and started reading, while his older child helped him with some of the words.

The family started regularly attending play sessions in the prison with their dad, and the children would come running to dad upon arrival for hugs, requesting that he played with them. Dad now needed little support from the Early Years Practitioner during the play sessions. The children loved sitting on dad’s knee for reading and singing together time and they also really enjoyed the shared messy play activities.

Upon his release from HMP Dumfries, Dad told our Early Years Practitioner that he really believed he would be a different person at home and would be more involved in his children’s daily lives. He stated that he was looking forward to spending more time with his children, now that he understood the value and importance of play.

Play and Learning in HMP Dumfries: a Case Study

*Picture posed by models.


23

Policy EarlyYearsScotlandhasinformedandinfluencedScotland’searlyyearspolicydevelopmentagendabyworking regularly with the Scottish Government and many other partner agencies.

Quality Assurance and ImprovementWe have reviewed and revised our evaluation processes to measure the impact our work has on children and families through GIRFEC and the Well Being Indicators. Regular monitoring of these key performance indicators has enabled Early Years Scotland to identify success and also areas for improvement and change.

High Public and Professional ProfileWe have continued to develop new partnerships and identify other partner agencies to work with collaboratively. We have represented the organisation, our members and the early years voluntary sector interests through working in partnership with the following:

• Scottish Childminding Association • National Day Nurseries Association • Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership • Daisy Chain • Children’s Commissioner for Children and

Young People • Triple P • Scottish Book Trust • University of Stirling • Dundee University • University of Glasgow • University of Strathclyde • The Wheatley Group• Scottish Play Council • Early Years Collaborative • National Play Strategy Group • West of Scotland College • SQA• Edinburgh Play Forum • Scottish Parent Teacher Council

• Scottish Government (SG) ELC Strategic Forum, SG Statutory Guidance Group, SGWorkforceQualityGroup

• Glasgow Clyde College • SG Commission for Widening Access to

Higher Education• Glasgow Life• Education Scotland HMIE Associateship

Assessor• SSSC • Care Inspectorate High Level Advisory Group• Committee for Childcare Reform• Scottish College for Educational Leadership• Local Authorities• NHS • Play@home • NHS Health Scotland • HMP Dumfries • HMP Low Moss, HMP Grampian • HMP Barlinnie • Violence Reduction Unit

EARLY YEARS SCOTLAND ANNUAL REVIEW 2015-16


AsaprimaryandspecialistInfantTeacher,Iworkedabroadfor9yearswhereIalsodelivered training for the British Army on the Rhine branch of Pre-school Play Association (PPA).OnmyreturntoScotland,Iqualifiedasanurseryteacher,becameafieldworkerwithSPPA,andalsoworkedwithSCMAofferingSVQstochildmindersandplayleaders.I took up post as lecturer, then Senior Lecturer, at Falkirk College, and also was appointed asSQASeniorExternalVerifier.MovingtoBellCollege,Isetupacollegenurseryaswell as lecturing. I achieved my Masters Degree in Early Education, through Pen Green

NurseryandIwasHeadofaStirlingCouncilnurseryuntilmyretirementinJuly2010.IcontinuetoworkwithSQAasExternalVerifierandIcontributetoqualificationdevelopmentanddesign.

I also enjoy delivering training at all levels for Early Years Educators across Scotland.

Dr Graeme Alexander, OBE, Vice Chair

Iretiredinlate2007following15yearsasChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheinternationalpubliccompany Devro plc. I am involved with a number of organisations in the voluntary sector including being Chairman of Poppyscotland, and also Chair of Glasgow East End Community Carers. I also work with Pilotlight, a unique, capacity-building charity that offers free strategic planning support to charities and social enterprises tackling disadvantage in the UK. FormerlyanofficerintheRoyalNavalReserveforover20years,Iwasaqualified

CommandingOfficerandonnumerousoccasionstookcommandofshipsonactivedeployment.IwasawardedanOBEin1996forservicestoIndustry.

Davina Coupar, Head of Care, West College Scotland

My background is in early years where I worked in the voluntary sector. I gained a BA in Early Childhood Studies and PGCE at the University of Strathclyde and I have now worked inFurtherEducationfor17years.IworkacrossallcollegecampuseswitharesponsibilityforChildhoodPracticeandHealthandSocialCareprogrammes.IalsoworkwithSQAasSeniorExternalVerifierforChildcareandthisallowsmetopromotethequalityassuranceprocessforSQAqualificationsacrossScotland.

My passion is to ensure the delivery of high quality learning experiences that will equip our students with the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of highly

motivated practitioners across Scotland.

Dr Marion FlettIhaveworkedinthefieldofearlychildcareandeducationfromafeministperspectiveforover40yearsfocussingoncreatingandprovidinginnovativewaysofdevelopingwiderlearning opportunities for young children and their parents, particularly mothers. I have been a practitioner and manager in community based projects; involved in operational and strategic management at local, regional, national and international level; and I have experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

I have also taught in higher education and undertaken numerous research and evaluation studies. Currently I serve on various voluntary sector Boards including Poppyview Family

Centre, which is a member of Early Years Scotland.

Mariessa Devlin, Managing Director, Enchanted Forest Early Learning

Asamum,qualifiedteacherandproudfounder/managingdirectorofathrivingnurserygroup, Enchanted Forest Early Learning, I have a passion for improving outcomes for Scotland’s children.Havingworkedwithchildrensince1998,Ihaveabroadrangeofexperienceinvarious

sectors including the public and private sector. More recently, I joined Children’s Hearing Scotland as a volunteer Children’s Panel member. I am an inspirational leader who strives to provide the best for children, their families and staff teams. I am often asked to deliver presentations on Entrepreneurship, Early Years and Excellent Customer Care.

0608

Board of Directors 2015 – 2016Barbara Dale, Chair


Fraser SandersonI now enjoy a very full life in retirement having formerly been Director of Education for Dumfries & Galloway. My background is as a secondary school teacher and then headteacher of a state secondary school. As Director of Education, I always had, and continue to have, a particular and major commitment to pre-school education.

I have been on the Board of SPPA and Early Years Scotland for a number of years. I continue to be a member of the Board Finance Sub-group, having served for 3 years as the group’s Chair.

Beverly MalcolmMy background is as a Senior Manager within different industries but currently I am the Finance and Business Manager at a charity called North Edinburgh Childcare. This role has givenmealmost11yearsexperiencewithinthecharityandmoreimportantlythechildcaresector which has proved to be of great advantage whilst serving on Early Years Scotland’s Board of Directors.

I have been on the Board of SPPA and Early Years Scotland for a number of years contributing to various sub-groups over this time, but mainly, I have been a consistent member of the Finance sub-group, having now served as Chair for four years.

Marion Samson, Headteacher, Westquarter Primary School in Falkirk Council

I have worked in Education for almost forty years, rising through the ranks from class teacher tomypresentpositionasHeadteacher.IspentthefirstpartofmycareerinStirlingCouncilandthisincludedasecondmentopportunityasanEducationDevelopmentOfficer.Thereisnoplace for complacency in education if children are to be given the best possible life chances so my professional development is planned around meeting children’s needs.

I believe that early intervention and partnership working is key to improved outcomes for children. The work of the Early Years Scotland Board allows me to contribute my expertise to inform the direction of the organisation.

Anne Macpherson, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

I joined the NHS as Human Resources Director at NHS Forth Valley Acute Hospitals Division inMarch2002,following20yearsinvariousHumanResourcesrolesinScottishLocalGovernment.

I became temporary Human Resources Director with NHS Greater Glasgow North Division inOctober2004and,in2005,wasappointedasAssociateDirectorofHumanResourceswithGreater Glasgow Acute Services.

More recently, I was Workforce Director for the new South Glasgow Hospitals supporting 10,000affectedstaff.Thisincludedmanagingtheworkforcechangeprogramme,extensive

staff engagement, workforce planning and chairing the Operational Sub Group for the new Teaching and Learning Centre.

Sara Harkins, BBC Creative Director Children’s Scotland and River City

I lead the Children’s Scotland department at BBC Scotland working for both CBeebies and CBBC and I am also Creative Director on ‘River City’. IstartedmyfilmandTVcareerasafreelanceronfilmsandTVdramasincluding,‘Taggart’,

then worked across Drama and Children’s before moving fully into Children’s. I have been Executive Editor for CBeebies Scotland and Executive Producer for various series including ‘Nina and the Neurons’, and ‘Big City Park’. More recently, I was Executive Producer on various series including CBBC’s ‘The Dog Ate My Homework’, and Co-Executive Producer on ‘Katie Morag’.

I also serve on the Children in Need Scotland Committee, and Chair the Argyll and Bute arts charity ArtsQwest.IhavebeenaChildren’sHearingPanelMemberfor15years.

09


Scottish Government Grants Other Grants Local Authority Grants Membership Fees Fundraising and Sponsorship Bank Interest Other Income

Financial Overview 2015 – 2016Total income for the year was £1,441,577 Net incoming funds for the year was £74,540

Summarised Accounts

INCOME £000s % Scottish Government Grants 257,923 18 Other Grants 218,386 15 Local Authority Grants 777,230 54 Membership Fees 89,927 6Fundraising and Sponsorship 11,284 1 Bank Interest 12,918 1 Other Income 73,909 5 1,441,577

EXPENDITURE

Staff CostsSalaries 987,089 72 Training 11,687 1 Expenses 83,539 6 Recruitment 16,916 1 Other Operating CostsPremises 58,413 4 Administration 66,593 5 Professional Fees 15,959 1 Other Costs 126,841 9

1,367,037

SURPLUS FOR YEAR 74,540

Salaries Training Expenses Recruitment Premises Administration Professional Fees Other Costs

Income Expenditure

27

Financial Overview 2015 – 2016Total income for the year was £1,441,577 Net incoming funds for the year was £74,540

Summarised Accounts

INCOME £000s % Scottish Government Grants 257,923 18 Other Grants 218,386 15 Local Authority Grants 777,230 54 Membership Fees 89,927 6Fundraising and Sponsorship 11,284 1 Bank Interest 12,918 1 Other Income 73,909 5 1,441,577

EXPENDITURE

Staff CostsSalaries 987,089 72 Training 11,687 1 Expenses 83,539 6 Recruitment 16,916 1 Other Operating CostsPremises 58,413 4 Administration 66,593 5 Professional Fees 15,959 1 Other Costs 126,841 9

1,367,037

SURPLUS FOR YEAR 74,540

Salaries Training Expenses Recruitment Premises Administration Professional Fees Other Costs

We are grateful for the support we have received from the Scottish Government, local authority funding from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Fife, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Borders, funding from the Big Lottery Fund ‘Investing in Communities21stCenturyLife’,NHSGreaterGlasgow and Clyde, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Improvement Team South, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Health Improvement North/East, ScottishGovernment16B,AberdeenshireAlcoholand Drug Partnership, Aberdeen Integrated Children’s Services Nurture Outcome Group, Wheatley Group.

Corporate FundersWe would also like to extend our appreciation to TTSLtd.fortheirfinancialsupporttowardsproductsfor readers of our Early Years Scotland Magazine for Practitioners. We would also like to thank Cool Milk and Mackay Corporate Insurance Brokers who

Thank You to Our Funders

have sponsored publications, and Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Community Awards.

Pro-Bono SupportErnst & Young and Education Scotland have provided Early Years Scotland with meeting rooms at no cost throughout the year, which has been extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

Early Years Scotland wishes to thank Cool Milk and Mackay Corporate Insurance Brokers for their support in the production of this year’s annual review. MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Alan R MacKay & Co Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Conference SponsorshipWe are grateful for the generous sponsorship of our Conference by both TTS and Glasgow City Council.

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all of our funders.

Early Years Scotland 21-23 Granville Street, Glasgow G3 7EETel: 0141 221 4148 Fax: 0141 221 6043Email: [email protected]

earlyyearsscotland.org

Early Years Scotland is a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland Registration No 86932 and a Scottish Charity Registration No SC003725

Early Years Scotland wishes to thank Cool Milk and Mackay Corporate Insurance Brokers for their support in the production of this year’s Annual Review and Impact Report. MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Alan R MacKay & Co Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

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