Training Guidelines: from bookings to certification
Training is a crucial part of professional development for practitioners working with young children. All practitioners need to attend training to update their knowledge, skills and to be enthused and motivated in their practice, in order to improve outcomes for children and families in Redbridge.
Training should not be viewed as a single event but as an ongoing process to make a difference. In order to impact practice, the training process needs careful planning, follow up and monitoring.
All settings providing Free Early Education Entitlement and 2 Year Old Funding in the London Borough of Redbridge are expected to access training as a condition of the eligibility for this.
Managers in PVI settings, Out of school clubs and childminders with assistants are expected to support their staff to find appropriate training to meet their individual needs, the needs of the setting and the needs of the children.
Network Childminders are reminded that they are required to undertake at least 20 hours of training per year to comply with their network agreement.
See below for full guidance information for attendees and setting managers.
How to book, confirmations and cancellations
How to book training
Courses within the training brochure are divided into the following areas:
- Safeguarding and Welfare
- Quality of Education
- Leadership and Management
- Forums, Networks and Meetings
For any of the courses, forums and meetings listed in this brochure you will need to complete a booking form – this can be downloaded at find.redbridge.gov.uk/earlyyearstraining.
Please ensure when placing a booking that you take care to ensure you will have sufficient staff cover and that you are booking the most appropriate member of your team on the course.
Please return your completed booking form(s) to earlyyearstraining@redbridge.gov.uk. You can return your booking forms at any time however please note that bookings are allocated on a first come first served basis. If we have to cancel a course we will let you know via email at the earliest opportunity.
Training for those with multiple Ofsted registrations
If your business has more than one Ofsted registration number then you must complete a separate booking form for each registered setting.
Staff should be booked onto training under the setting they work for.
Checking your bookings
Once you have received your booking confirmation you are responsible for checking that this is accurate and alerting the service to any errors.
Please also check your course confirmation for the booking status (booked, waiting list, etc). The candidate for each course will need to bring a copy of the course confirmation to show to the trainer on arrival – this can be shown electronically on a device and does not have to be printed. If you are not on the course register or able to show evidence of your confirmation for the course you will not be admitted to the course.
How to cancel or amend your booking
In order to cancel a booking without charge you will need to provide written notice at least 5 days before the date of the course (for example where a course is taking place on a Monday we must have notice on or before the previous Wednesday). Your cancellation email will need to specify the course and the name of the candidate who will not be attending. Please send to earlyyearstraining@redbridge.gov.uk.
We will not actively seek an alternate candidate for a place cancelled within 5 days of the course but where there is a waiting list and we are able to fill the cancelled place we will waive the cancellation fee, which is the full cost of the course.
If there are any changes to your booking (such as change of attendee) please inform Redbridge Early Years Training Team as soon as possible at earlyyearstraining@redbridge.gov.uk. If you are making changes on the day of the course please call 020 8708 8930.
Late arrivals, venues and parking
Late arrivals
Please note that delegates arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time may be turned away to avoid disruption to the training delivery. Delegates wishing to leave before the end of the course will not be provided with a certificate of attendance.
Course venues
GEARIES CHILDREN’S CENTRE | Waremead Road, Gants Hill, Essex, IG2 6TF
Gearies Children’s Centre is located very close to Redbridge Institute and Gearies Primary School and has its own pedestrian entrance at the corner of Waremead Road and Kenwood Gardens. The centre has no designated car parking. Free parking may be found in surrounding residential areas and pay and display parking may be available at Gants Hill Library car park on Cranbrook Road (about 5 minutes walk from the centre). Click here for a venue map.
Please note that Gearies Primary school is now a part of a School Streets Prohibition:
The School Streets prohibition means that during term time, vehicular traffic (motorcycles, cars, vans, and lorries) will be prohibited from entering the following roads:
- Waremead Road – between the entrance to Redbridge Institute and the junction with Gants Hill Crescent.
- Gants Hill Crescent – between the junction with Shere Road and the exit from Redbridge Institute.
- Sunnymede Drive – between the junction with Kenwood Gardens and the junction with Gants Hill Crescent.
The times of the prohibition are:
- Morning: 8.15am – 9.15am
- Afternoon: 2.30pm – 4.00pm
Map of Gearies School Exclusion Zone
Other venues include
How to pay and specific course policies
How to pay
You will be sent an invoice via post by the London Borough of Redbridge Payment and Benefits department at the end of each term. You can pay this invoice online, by telephone or in person at a Post Office or through PayPoint or payzone. Full details will be given on the invoice.
To avoid any delay please ensure that you provide the postal address that you would prefer invoices to be sent to by emailing earlyyearstraining@redbridge.gov.uk
Failure to pay any invoice may result in formal debt collection procedures and you will be unable to book further training until any debt is settled. Therefore if you have any queries relating to the amount you are being charged please contact earlyyearstraining@redbridge.gov.uk. If you need further advice on how to pay your invoice please contact the Payments and Benefits Team using the details on your invoice.
Course specific policies
Training needs, bespoke training, complaints, evaluation and certificates
Meeting your training needs
If you identify any training needs that are not met by the current training programme please discuss this with the EYCIT Training and Workforce Development Lead or Locality Lead.
Bespoke training
Bespoke training may be provided by members of the EYCIT team on request (subject to availability). Prices vary and will need to be agreed prior to booking training – please discuss with your EYCIT advisor.
Terms and conditions for bespoke training
- Settings must cancel more than 48 hours prior to the start time of the course or will be charged in full
- Settings must send a list of all candidates to the EYCIT Trainer 5 working days prior to the course
- All bespoke training will be invoiced on a termly basis
Complaints procedure
What if a customer isn’t happy with the service they receive?
If you are not happy with the service that you receive, whether it’s about the Early Years Service, training delivered or current policies and procedures then you can take the following steps:
In the first instance talk to the person that you have dealt with in Early Years or the trainer and explain to them why you are unhappy and what you want to happen to put things right.
If you remain unhappy with how they deal with your concerns, or you do not wish to talk to the person concerned (because for instance your complaint is about them), then please contact Karen Finney, Early Years Training and Workforce Development Lead in writing to karen.finney@redbridge.gov.uk
Your complaint will be dealt with as quickly as possible and you will receive a response within 10 working days.
If you remain unhappy you can make a complaint about a Council service by going to Complaints about our services on the Redbridge Council website.
Evaluation forms and certificates online
You will receive an email to complete an online evaluation form after you have completed the course.
Certificate will be sent up to 10 workings days after the course has been delivered.
Managing the training process in your setting
Providing opportunities for all staff
All practitioners should be supported to access training on a rolling programme throughout the year. Budgets need to include provision for training courses and cover for the practitioner in order to maintain ratios. There should be time in setting for practitioners to discuss training actions with the manager and time in meetings to feedback key points and useful information, (e.g. hand outs) from courses.
What training is needed?
You will need to consider the following when deciding which training is a priority for your setting...
- Development plans - what are the priorities identified for your setting in the year ahead?
- RAG rating - the key development points identified in your most recent RAG rating
- Ofsted - any inspection actions or areas highlighted within your SEF
- QUILT - the area of your current QUILT module
- Supporting identified groups of children who are at risk of underachieving (such as boys, EAL, SEN, summer-born children, etc.)
- Personal development identified through supervision and appraisal of individuals in your setting
Target audience
You will need to consider the most appropriate member of staff for each course. Managers and deputies attending training will assist in affecting practice in your setting. Co-ordinators will need to be able to continually update their practice in their lead areas and ensure key areas are improved. No matter what a person's role is within a setting all individuals will benefit from ongoing personal development and help ensure that all staff are continually looking to improve practice for the children you care for.
Whoever attends it is always important to factor in time for reflection and feedback to the setting leaders and co-workers and the opportunity for that member of staff to make the changes to improve practice.
Practicalities of training
- Ensure you provide the booking confirmation to the member of staff attending - they will need to take this with them to the course or be able to show this electronically
- Cover to be arranged to ensure ratios are maintained and a contingency plan if other staff are absent
- If out of working hours will staff be able to claim overtime or take time off in lieu?
Pre-registration Support Visits
Would you like support from a Early Years Officer before Ofsted come for your registration visit? If so, we can offer a Pre Ofsted registration visit. Your visit will include:
- A risk assessment of your childminding setting
- A review of your childminding portfolio
- The process of your Ofsted registration visit
- Discuss a range of questions that could be asked by the Ofsted Inspector
Please call the Early Years Childcare Improvement team on 07741 892 603 if you have any questions or wish to book.