National & Local Initiatives
| ECERS | My Unique Story |
| Setting Improvment Partner Programme in Kent | Language Link |
| Gifted and Talented in the Early Years | Evaluation of SIP Programme |
Evaluation of SIP Programme November 2009
The Setting Improvement Partner (SIP) Programme was introduced in 2007 and extended in 2008 for settings considered by the area team to be most vulnerable. Identification for this programme was by analysis against the criteria of the risk assessment grid.
More details.....
What are the Environment Rating Scales?
The Environment Rating Scales are a set of tools designed to assess the quality of Early Years provision. They offer a structured approach to quality assurance.
Using the scales to improve quality
Research:
The Environment Rating Scales have been used world wide to assess quality as part of a large-scale research studies. In the UK they are best known for their use in the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education Project (EPPE). The EPPE project used the scales to assess the quality of provision for 3-5 year old children, and found an important link between quality as measured by the scales and children’s educational and social development. The scales have also been used in other large UK research studies, for example the National Evaluation of the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative and the Millennium cohort study.
Practice
The fact that the Environment Rating Scales, and the aspects of quality they measure are so predictive of children’s development makes them valuable tools not only for assessing, but also for improving the quality of early years provision.
The Environment Rating Scales are already used in many countries to improve Early Years Practice. (Sandra Mathers and Faye Linskey 2006)
My Unique Story is a summative assessment tool designed for use with children, parents/carers and practitioners throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage. My Unique Story provides a record of learning, development and well-being for each child. More.....
My Unique Story Guidance Notes
My Unique Story leaflet for settings
My Unique Story Grid (Excel Spreadsheet)
Setting Improvement Partner Programme in Kent
The Setting Improvement Partner role was introduced as a pilot in 2007 to a limited number of settings and Children’s Centre linked providers in Kent. This initiative was extended in 2008 and benefited settings by providing advice, support and challenge for leadership and management, self evaluation, teaching and learning, inclusion, partnership with parents and curriculum developments.
Due to the success of the developments in this programme we have extended the programme to all settings. To provide extra capacity, we plan in time, to harness the skills and expertise of outstanding leaders in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
This universal offer of a Setting Improvement Partner will support the further development of all settings. There will be a basic offer of support and the availability of additional support in inverse proportions to success.
For us all in Early Years in Kent it is an exciting time as we build on the huge strengths we have in early years settings. This programme will allow us to focus our support to enable all children, regardless of the locality where they live, to access quality provision that will enable them to develop and learn as best meets their needs to fulfil their potential.
Language Link is a computer based screening program with online support for children at the start of their final year in the Foundation Stage. The program has been developed by Speech and Language Therapists and builds on the success of Speech Link.
The program assesses children in the following aspects of receptive language; prepositions, verb tenses, interactions, pronouns, negatives, cause and effect, basic concepts and questions.
The website offers support for working with children with language difficulties and provides information under the following headings; language development, language difficulties explained, encouraging spoken language, general classroom strategies, handouts for parents, range of language programmes, printable picture resources, web based discussion group linked to local speech and language therapists and links to other websites.
Further details and purchase of the package
Gifted and Talented in the Early Years
Kent has been involved in an action research project carried out by teacher- researchers in 14 Local Education Authorities in conjunction with Brunel University. The project was funded by the Department for Education and Skills during the period 2003-2005.
Supporting the development of cognitive and emotional well-being in gifted and talented children