Children's Centre

The following training courses are available for Children's Centre staff as either full day packages or as twilight staff meeting sessions. The training has been most successful when divided into separate sessions. These sessions are planned to suit the Children's Centre(s), with staff agreeing to take on small, manageable actions in between the sessions using an action planning approach. This allows the Children's Centre to develop in the area of training identified.
A free consultation on the design of the training is offered with each training package booked!
A full evaluation report can be completed on request

Courses for Children's Centre staff working with children in Stay and Play sessions

Approximate duration

Using the Early Years Foundation Stage to support stay and play sessions

1 day or 2 twilights

Observation, assessment and planning in stay and play groups

1 day or 2 twilights

Supporting children's play in stay and play sessions

1 day or 2 twilights

Consulting with children and being child-led in stay and play sessions

1 day or 2 twilights

Supporting children's speech and language development in stay and play sessions

1 day or 2 twilights

Supporting children's behaviour with their parents in the stay and play sessions

1 day or 2 twilights

Courses for Family Support Workers working with children through outreach

Approximate duration

Child development for Family Support Workers

1 day or 2 twilights

Understanding attachment and supporting families

2 days or 3 twilights

Supporting parents in understanding their child's behaviour

2 days or 3 twilights

Understanding and supporting children's Personal, social and emotional development as a Family Support Worker

2 days or 3 twilights

Understanding and supporting children's speech and language development in the early years

2 days or 3 twilights

In addition, if you have a specific training need not outlined above, I am able to write and deliver training over a wide range of topics in the Early Years. Please contact me to discuss your specific needs

Testimonial from Children's Centre manager

I have worked with Anita Soni for over 3 years in her role as Educational Pyschologist supporting the Sure Start Children’s Centres. Anita’s work has been invaluable in providing reflective practice and consultation sessions to our staff teams. The outcomes from this work have enabled staff to gain new skills and techniques which ultimately has led to improved and quality services to families. At a recent OFSTED the area of ‘care, guidance and support’ was rated as outstanding. I believe that the sessions provided by Anita were a key element in contributing to this grade and providing this ethos and values at our Centres.

Judith Willis, Children's Centre Programme Manager, Redditch

Testimonial from Children's Centre Central Team manager

Anita has been involved in a number of projects to support staff in ways to measure outcomes and 'distance travelled' following participation in a course or activity. This has involved working with several partners; children's centres, school and childcare settings. By facilitating a project Anita has enabled the settings can work together to support transition and also to identify positive learning and development outcomes.Testimonial from Children's Centre Project Manager

Cath Ellicott, Children's Centres Project Manager, Worcestershire

Additional services available

Educational Psychology

Group supervision for Family Support Workers

Action planning and team building using the PATH approach

Project management and small scale research e.g. tracking impact of Children's Centre with school using EYFS data

Testimonial from Children's Centre staff

I have found the consultation sessions (group supervision) very useful, it is interesting to listen to colleague’s experiences and work together in a group to help with problems or issues we may have supporting families. To have this resource of ‘collective thinking’ has been really beneficial. Anita creates a warm, open atmosphere where everyone feels willing to contribute and speak up with their experiences and ideas. She makes us feel nurtured too!

June White, Children's Centre Support Worker, Oak Trees Children's Centre

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