Introduction 

From 2013-15, Starcatchers delivered a new pilot programme of Creative Skills training for Early Years practitioners in Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, this programme delivered a range of theoretical and practical training sessions and covered a range of art forms. Evidenced through an independent evaluation undertaken, (Really Useful Knowledge), the training has been proven to deepen understanding of arts and creativity and to help participants integrate knowledge and skills gained into their practice.

Following the success of the pilot programme we have secured funding from the Scottish Government to continue to deliver fully-funded training within the following local authorities during 2015/2016: Aberdeen; Dumfries and Galloway; Dundee; East Lothian; Edinburgh; Fife; Highland; Inverclyde; Midlothian; South Lanarkshire. 

This online application is for Early Years practitioners, (including nursery workers, child-minders and play workers), to apply to undertake 10, 2-hour training sessions from September 2015-March 2016 in East Lothian.

The overarching aim of the programme is to enable Early Years practitioners to understand, and utilise, their own creative and artistic capabilities to support the delivery of positive creative experiences with, and for, young children within their professional settings. We support Early Years practitioners to design and lead their own activities while emphasising a child-centred approach to arts and creativity. 

Training will take place at The Brunton on Wednesdays 5-7pm:

9 September: Introductory Session
30 September: Music Part 1
7 October: Music Part 2
11 November: Creative Movement Part 1
18 November: Creative Movement Part 2
2 December: Reflective Practice
27 January: Visual Art Part 1
3 February: Visual Art Part 2
2 March: Drama Part 1
9 March: Drama Part 2

You cannot save the application and return to it later but the process is very straightforward and short. Starcatchers is accepting applications on a rolling and first-come-first-served basis and you can apply at any point up until the end of August 2015. However, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure that a place is secured. Due to strictly limited spaces, participants will be chosen to reflect a wide as possible range of Early Years settings. Please note that priority will be given to those who applied for, but did not receive, a place in the pilot programme. 

If you have any questions about the Starcatchers’ Creative Skills Programme, please contact Bethany Whiteside (Creative Skills Co-ordinator) on 0131 290 2560 / bethany@starcatchers.org.uk 

www.starcatchers.org.uk/creativeskills

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