There is a changing dynamic of children entering nurseries, with growing expectations from external agencies and making every effort to recover post-pandemic. With so many challenges, it can be difficult to keep Continuous Professional Development (CPD) at the top of agendas. However, continually striving for improvement and growth can often be the mark of an outstanding nursery. In this article, we collate all the statutory requirements for training in the Early Years, highlight the most effective cycle of CPD preparations to get the most out of your training, and explore examples of effective CPD planning in settings similar to your own.
There are few specific restrictions on the training chosen by nursery managers or owners for their staff; however, training is necessary to meet the statutory minimum requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework
There are minimum qualification requirements for nursery staff to be included in the ratio. With recent changes enforced for those holding Early Years focused undergraduate degrees without assessed placement time, it is worth checking your current team’s qualifications against the criteria. For childminders, there are training requirements that must be satisfied before the setting can be Ofsted registered or registered with a childminding agency.
There may be additional advice from the Local Authority or Local Safeguarding Partners to consider when checking your setting and that practitioners are within statutory training requirements. The lead practitioner (or childminder) must attend a child protection course to ensure they are competent and confident to maintain excellent child safety standards.
As a nursery manager or owner, you must prove that all of your staff receive regular safeguarding training focusing on their understanding of your safeguarding policy and procedures. In addition to ensuring that staff are provided with up to date knowledge on potential issues. Your professional judgement is encouraged when choosing suitable training providers or methods. It is recommended all staff are familiar with the Keeping Children Safe in Education document (part 1), which is statutory for schools and good practice in the Early Years.
Induction training involves any staff new to the setting, including apprentices. As managers or owners, you are responsible for ensuring the new team members engage with digestible information about emergency evacuation procedures, safeguarding (including child protection), as well as health and safety procedures, and best practices. The most effective way is via ‘practice scenarios’.
It is a statutory requirement for at least one person who has a current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) qualification to be on the premises and readily available at all times. This also extends to outings off-site. The training must last 12 hours to satisfy statutory requirements and be refreshed every three years. In addition, new staff members (Level 2 or 3) who qualified post-2016 must complete a PFA qualification within three months of beginning at your nursery. Emergency First Aid certification will also satisfy this.
For all staff preparing and handling food, including snacks, in group provision, there is a statutory requirement that they attend training in good food hygiene. You can find more information for your local area by contacting your local Environmental Health Department.
Where staff administer medication, including insulin, they must have received suitable training where they may need technical knowledge. It is also necessary that the use of medication and administration is included in the information accessible on your online communication platform and risk assessments. In addition, for the care and support of children under the age of 2, the statutory requirement is for half of all staff to be trained to care for babies specifically.
It is vital to stay up to date with changes in the educational field: strategies with evidence-based success, potential changes to family income support that may affect your children, and changes with global childcare issues such as refugees. Nurseries who plan and execute purposeful CPD journeys for their staff use the Ofsted 3 I’s as underpinning guidance.
CPD is often successful when maximum effort and an open mind are applied like reflective practice mindsets.
Planning and delivering a compelling CPD journey for your setting is more than booking a reputable provider’s latest online training session. Ideally, your CPD journey will cover three years, looking ahead at the changing dynamics of need for the children and families you support, and the potential movement of staff. Your journey should have aspirational aims, encompassing staff knowledge, parental support, and reflecting educational focuses; (phonics development, reading and SEND support).
Our cycle of CPD incorporates the Ofsted 3I’s whilst giving room for personalisation for your setting.
Nursery A has a higher than average percentage of SEND children, with an increase of pupils attending with EHCP (or in the process of) for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There has been an increase in incidents of challenging behaviour and an increase in parental communications regarding eating reluctance in the home. Two staff members have joined the team, completing their Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships. One apprentice shows an interest in SEND support.
The manager recognises that not all CPD training must be paid for courses; there is a wealth of knowledge available in the setting, and a neighbouring nursery with supportive links is developed. The challenging behaviour has been monitored on the online system; the new staff members are given the opportunity to use their 20% training hours to familiarise themselves with the platform with a team member’s support. During the apprentices’ regular mentor meetings, the apprentice interested in SEND is encouraged to think about completing the SEND Specialist Apprenticeship and given support for this. The manager chooses the following CPD opportunities:
Nursery B is in a low socio-economic area, with high levels of deprivation and poverty. The majority of their children enter the setting significantly below age-related expectations for speech and language. The setting is aware that few children are read to at home. A new team member is quite timid, showing limited interactions with the children.
The manager highlights the new team members as needing support from a supportive other. They speak to the team member and ask about their understanding surrounding back and forth interactions and their importance. They find the team member has limited knowledge of this and is keen to develop further. Using the online communication platform, the team pushes communication with parents over books that they are reading, and they simultaneously offer the opportunity to lend a book for a week. The manager decides on the following CPD opportunities:
CPD is personal to your setting; it can consider the needs of your staff, children and families.
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