This course is currently under review and will be available for SCMA members via e-Learning soon. 
If you would like to find out more, or add your name to the interest list for this course, please email trainingbookings@childminding.org. 

What's it about?

Helping children to develop as confident, enthusiastic and effective learners is central to childminding. 

Skilled childminders observe all the time and use these observations to make accurate judgements about how to further support a child’s learning. Observation, assessment and planning all support children’s learning and development and this course allows the learner to consider what a child needs to play and learn in relation to stages of development.

This course aims to give childminders the support needed to:

• Understand the role observation plays in assessing developmental needs.
• Understand and recognise the benefits of using different types of assessment.
• Gain knowledge of interventions required if a child is not progressing. 

During this course you will learn how to:

1. Observe and assess the developmental needs of each child in their service.
2. Outline frameworks and guidance that childminders must work with in order to meet Scottish Government requirements.
3. Understand and explain different methods of observation.
4. Record and assess the information gathered throughout observations.
5. Use information to inform practice in relation to each child.
6. Plan for every child to receive an enjoyable, challenging, learning and developmental experience..

Course outcomes:

When you have completed this course, you will have core knowledge and understanding of:

1. The transitions that children and young people may go through.
2. Requirements of the Care Inspectorate and other relevant inspectorates.
3. Safeguards that need to be in place when assessing children and the need for objectivity.
4. How to use assessments of children’s progress as part of the planning.
5. That children learn in different ways and have individual learning styles and preferences.
6. Specific issues for children’s development and learning in multilingual or bilingual settings or where children are learning through an additional language.
7. The importance of the needs and achievements of the children and families being clear within your planning and reporting.