Early years organisations across the country offer innumerable training courses, seminars and workshops on every aspect of delivering quality childcare from team building and consulting parents to managing difficult behaviour and taking the first steps in literacy and language skills.
The development of the national network of early years partnerships and the revolution in information technology have helped course organisers overcome a major obstacle - getting information about their activities publicised effectively.
The partnerships often act as filters and share information about the training on offer - with varying degrees of success - while the Internet provides access to the training programmes of the leading childcare organisations via their websites.
Irene Pilia, assistant chief executive of the National Early Years Network, says one quarter of the training events that it ran last year were arranged for partnerships while the rest were spread evenly across the early years sector including under-8s departments, local authorities, Sure Start programmes, private day nurseries, community nurseries and childminding associations.
'The perennial problem is keeping up to date with what is available. We try to let people know what we can offer, but even if they are aware, it can be difficult for them to release staff to attend courses.'
For many nursery team leaders, the greatest dilemma that they face is deciding which course will best meet their needs. Aside from the theme and content of the training programme, practical factors such as timing and location also play a major part in determining the decision, according to Julie Addyman of Little Nippers Nursery in Knaresborough.
'Too many organisations run conferences in places like London or Birmingham which are too far away. Recently there was a conference in London that had some really good speakers, but for us that means staying overnight. There can be transport problems with local events as only one of our staff has a car. Another snag is that a lot of people start evening training sessions too early for us as we often do not finish here until 6.30pm.'
Jacintha Wake of Bolland Private Day Nursery, Morpeth, says she has more access to training and information as a result of the Northumberland partnership and 'went on an excellent BAECE course'.
Training opportunities
Children in Scotland runs workshops for social workers, teachers, childcare and play workers, youth and community workers. Topics covered include: working with children with drug-using parents, therapeutic play for children with disabilities, dealing with conflict and promoting positive behaviour in early years.
Fees range from #25 for a half-day for Children in Scotland members working in small voluntary agencies, to #95 a day for non-members.
Contact: 0131 228 8484 or visit www.childreninscotland.org.uk.
Children in Wales acts as a 'training broker' sharing in-formation about training schemes available throughout Wales. At its major conference on 4 April it will publish a list of training sessions, seminars, conferences and workshops for the year.
Contact: Pat Davies, head of the Early Childhood Unit, on 0292 034 2434 or visit www.childreninwales.org.uk.
Early Education (also known as British Association for Early Childhood Education - BAECE) arranges training at national and branch level. Local training is often free for members and with a small fee for non-members, while for major conferences charges are #50 for members and #55 for non-members.
Contact: 0207 539 5400 or visit www.early-education.org.uk.
The National Childminding Association runs courses and workshops on specific topics of practical interest at local branch level. There is also a new qualification scheme, accredited by the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE) for childminders in England and Wales known as the Certificate in Childminding Practice.
Contact: local NCMA offices, or head office on 0208 464 6164.
The National Children's Bureau does not offer childcare courses, but does offer conferences on subjects ranging from child poverty and early intervention to positive parenting and disability.
Contact: 020 7843 6042/6009 or visit www.ncb.org.uk.
The National Day Nurseries Association is running a series of non-residential management courses across England this month. The sessions cover how to build, develop and maintain a high-calibre staff team. The association has built up a portfolio of business and management courses, which it can offer in response to demand.
Contact: 01484 541 641 or visit www.ndna.org.uk.
The National Early Years Network offers practical in-house training workshops for between ten and 22 people a time targeted at the training needs of early years professionals NVQ Levels 2 and 3 and, where appropriate, 4. Its training panel includes leading early years experts who adapt course material to meet local and national training requirements.
Topics include early years management, ensuring quality provision, working with parents and the Foundation Stage.
Fees are charged at #575 for voluntary organisations (equivalent to #26.14 a person) and #725 for all other groups including EYDCPs and private providers (equivalent to #32.95 per person).
Contact: 0207 607 9573.
NIPPA, the Northern Ireland early years organisation, runs courses and workshops on all aspects of early years work from first aid to managing a setting and from art and design for pre-school children to music.
Contact: 028 90662825.
The Pre-school Learning Alliance qualification courses and training events are attended by thousands of people annually. Nationally developed and accredited training is delivered across the PLA's regional areas. There is a three-stage CACHE accredited qualification: Introduction, Certificate and Diploma in Pre-School Practice.
Training courses cover a range of topics including: early learning goals, special needs, equal opportunities, preparing for inspection and serving on a committee.
The training programme is delivered locally and fees are kept to a minimum.
Contact: head office on 020 7837 4942 or visit www.pre-school.org.uk.
The Professional Association of Nursery Nurses is setting up a series of training programmes for the childcare sector as a whole as well as its own membership.
Contact: www.pat.org.uk.
