The Co-operative Childcare has underlined its commitment to the development of its colleagues by investing in a training scheme delivered in-line with new regulations for early years’ education.
Through the initiative, a total of 85 colleagues from The Co-operative Childcare’s 47 nurseries will be enrolled on a dedicated course to further enhance their childcare skills, and prepare them to progress to the next level in their development.
It follows the announcement of new standards which will require those colleagues enrolling onto Level three Early Years Educator Apprenticeship programmes from August 2014 to have achieved at least grade ‘C’ GCSEs in English and Maths by the end of their apprenticeship. If learners do not already have the necessary GCSEs, opportunities are provided during the apprenticeship programme to achieve these qualifications.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with leading provider of vocational apprenticeships, Hawk Training, which has been rated outstanding by Ofsted for the quality of its work in the education sector.
The course will begin in September with a dedicated online learning resource set to be launched, providing colleagues with a host of resources and webinars to support the programme, as well as establishing a communication platform for those taking part.
As part of the new initiative, selected nurseries will also become ‘learning hubs’ in which the training sessions are delivered, located in convenient locations across the country, ensuring that all colleagues can access the programme with ease.
Mike Abbott, Group General Manager at The Co-operative Childcare, said: “Providing top class care at each of our nurseries is our number one priority, and we believe that by helping our colleagues to enhance their own numeracy and literacy skills, alongside the additional learning provided through the Apprenticeship training, can only have a positive effect on the children’s development.
“By teaming up with Hawk Training to offer this new course, we’re underlining this commitment as we look to not only meet, but exceed the new standards for childcare professionals, and improve the service that we offer.”
Hawk Training’s Commercial Director, Crawford Knott, said: “We are delighted to support The Co-operative Childcare with the training and development of its colleagues. Working in close partnership, we will aim to deliver an exemplary programme which will benefit not only the childcare professionals working in The Co-operative’s settings and the organisation itself, but also the children in their care. There has been some trepidation in the sector following the introduction of the GCSE requirement at level three, but we are excited by the prospect of using our innovative, blended methods of delivery supported by responsive communication and mobile technology to ensure a positive experience for learners, and achievement of individual learning goals.”