The local authorities, Leeds, Norfolk, Birmingham and the London borough of Haringey, are piloting the First Step training, developed by the Basic Skills Agency, before it is introduced across England and offered to all settings that are part of the Neighbourhood Nurseries initiative.
The two-day training programme is aimed at managers and key staff, and will help them understand the difficulties facing parents and carers with poor reading and writing skills. It will help them to recognise which adults have low basic skills and know where they can be referred to for help.
Linda Parkin, manager of Little Acorn pre-school in Leeds, who completed the first stage of the course in March together with her deputy manager, said the initiative was 'a very good idea'. Between now and the final day of the programme in June, she will be required to undertake an action research project within her setting which involves looking at the facilities available for family learning.
Ms Parkin said, 'As adults you think everyone can read and write, but as a provider you see that parents don't always read things. You give them a letter and they shove it in their pocket. The scheme makes you look at people in a different light and gives you an insight into how you can help them.'
Keith Burton, chief education officer at Leeds local authority, said, 'We are pleased to be chosen as one of the first local authorities to offer this valuable training. People with low basic skills often have low self-esteem and we hope nursery staff will be able to help them gain more confidence in their role as their child's first educator after taking part in this course.'
Councillor Tom Murray, cabinet member for lifelong learning, added, 'Our aim is to help people who struggle with reading stories to their children and completing forms sent home to them. We want to be able to give the best possible support to parents, carers and children from the earliest age.'
For more information about First Step contact 0113 2477094.
