Nursery training centre goes private

The training arm of the Scottish Independent Nurseries Association has been sold to the training company Experiential Play.

The company is run by SINA director Alice Sharp, who has managed SINA's training centre since it started three years ago.

Ms Sharp said the centre, which is accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority to deliver training in early years care and education to level 4, had grown considerably and now has ten staff. It offers early years courses to professionals from a range of organisations in Scotland, including local authorities.

The level 4 management qualification is particularly popular. Around 60 candidates are currently enrolled on the course, with 26 more coming on board at the end of the month.

Experiential Play will offer the professional development programme, but the company is also in the process of setting up as a charitable organisation. This will offer the SVQs and training for people working with vulnerable families with drug and alcohol problems, including early years and health professionals.

SINA said its training arm was 'a leading training light in early years in Scotland' and the decision to pass it on had not been made lightly. In a statement, SINA said, 'The directors recognised the time had come for SINA training to run as a business in its own right. Each of the directors run their own educare businesses across Scotland and while acknowledging that many SINA members benefited, there were increasing issues raised by our members that required the board's expertise and support.'