© Experiential Play Ltd.
2007 - 2009

Scottish Vocational Qualification
Children’s Care, Learning & Development

Introduction

Experiential Play is a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) approved Centre.

We offer the SVQ Children’s Care, Learning and Development Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4.

What is a Scottish Vocational Qualification?
The Scottish vocational route to qualification is ideal in equipping a candidate with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully carry out a Practitioner or an Advanced Practitioner role in an early years setting.

The National Occupational Standards which were recently reviewed and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have developed and enhanced the existing Scottish vocational qualifications to be more appropriately fit for purpose.

Standards
The SVQ's are based on standards developed by the National Training Organisation (NTO) for Early Years. The NTO for Early Years represent a wide variety of people working in a broad range of occupations within the national health, personal and social services, criminal justices, special needs housing and community work.

The way we deliver our training at the Centre ensures all current Scottish legislation is considered and is embedded in the underpinning knowledge taught.

Structure
The structure of the SVQ is illustrated in the description of each of the levels, as is the delivery programme we carry out.

Teaching of Underpinning Knowledge
It is hoped that the delivery of the underpinning knowledge can be set up to be flexible. For levels 2 and 3 we deliver a teaching session for 3 hours every fortnight. For level 4 we currently offer day release once a month. Should it be more suitable to deliver the teaching sessions in a more flexible way, this can also be arranged.

Throughout the programme there may be sessions that will focus on one issue, there may be sessions focused on personal research and information gathering. This will ensure every aspect of the course content is made relevant and exciting to the candidates. The programme will be drawn up, as far as possible for each individual groups needs.

These sessions can be offered from our Centre, on site within an early years establishment or another suitable venue.

Within our centre we have a huge amount of resources available to candidates. It ranges from textbooks, activity books, practical resources, story sacks, language boxes, videos and a large variety of equipment. This will enhance the delivery for all candidates.

Each teaching session will follow a similar format comprised of theory, practical and SVQ paperwork. We have found that the continuity for candidates, having these teaching sessions is very supportive. It ensures that they keep up to date with their paperwork and have access to guidance and support when they need it.

Assessment
The course is made up on continual assessment. The candidates will be involved in submitting written evidence on an ongoing basis to their assessor. Their assessor will visit them at least once a month for a 2 - 3 hour assessment visit. The assessor and candidate will plan each visit together and a detailed agreement of what is expected by both parties explained and agreed before the session takes place. This means that the candidate will be visited in their work place between 6 and 12 time throughout the course.

As the assessor and candidate plan and work together, individual forward plans can be devised to enable the candidate to time manage every aspect of their own training.

The Experiential Way !
We are excited at the prospect of offering all levels of SVQ in Children’s Care, Learning & Development.. Our staff have been involved in delivering childcare training for many years. Although this particular type of qualification is vocational and the assessment of candidates progress is predominantly work based, Experiential Play pride themselves in their innovative delivery methods.

Whenever possible we teach through practical demonstration which enables any candidate to see the real links between theory and practice.

This hands-on approach to learning and teaching supports each candidate in understanding the role they are training for.

The innovative and exciting teaching styles ensure the sessions are dynamic and fun.