Early Years 'Bust the Myths' at Regional Event
Over 70 local careers influencers’ engaged in the very first ‘Early Years Needs You! Regional Showcase, which took place at the Kilmarnock Campus of Ayrshire College on 11 February.
Regional and national partners came together, to raise the profile of Early Learning and Childcare as a broad, skills-based profession and tackle the myths around career choices in Early Years.
Chaired by Dorothy Bell, Head of Early Years at Ayrshire College, the interactive event delivered a range of speakers, workshops and stalls to promote different routes, expand employability pathways and encourage career influencers to attract under-represented groups into the sector.
Dorothy said “This is a real opportunity to work closely with career influencers in order to improve their understanding of the Early Years Profession.”
Addressing delegates, speaker Sue Palmer, Chair of Upstart Scotland, set the scene by emphasising that “a professional workforce should be recognised as encouraging this time of remarkable growth, learning and development in the early years.
“The current expansion of funded Early Learning and Childcare is an opportunity to enrich the workforce by attracting practitioners with a wide range of skills and life experiences. It was also a delight to meet so many students from Ayrshire College who are passionate advocates for relationship-centred, play-based learning.”
Key speaker Cameron Sprague, Senior Team Leader from Stramash Outdoor Nursery offered thought provoking insights into some of the transferrable skills and attitudes that add value to Early Learning and Childcare. Cameron said “In the outdoors, Early Years practitioners promote the future skills children need. Practitioners demonstrate innovation, leadership and responsibility”.
HNC Childhood Practice students were on hand throughout the event to answer questions at the interactive workstations and guide visitors to their workshops.
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