After enduring a few memorably bad early years courses, training and development consultant Tracy Seed was inspired to develop her own 'training the trainer' sessions tailored specifically for the sector.
While EYFS practitioners are obviously becoming more skilled and attuned when it comes to supporting children's individual learning, they can often be out of their depth trying to share information with, or teach, their colleagues.
In the current climate, however, nursery managers are likely to find themselves having to provide more training in-house as local authorities introduce cuts and savings in their training programmes. It also makes sound economic sense that when staff do undertake training, they should be equipped to return and fully share all they have learned.
It is very important that the people cascading the course information or leading an in-house training session should have the ability and confidence to present often complex information very clearly to others.
'I think it is an area on which practitioners need training because they haven't generally had any and are expected somehow to be able to do this training effectively,' says Tracy Seed.
'I still remember my own experiences during the 1980s, when I was first asked to deliver training. I was so nervous I couldn't stop shaking and even came out in a rash!
'It is a long time ago now and I have since gained extensive experience and continuously develop myself in this area.'
Ms Seed says she draws on her wide personal experience in the early years sector to make her training relevant. 'The content is both generic and specific, because I always use the participants' real experiences during my programmes,' she says.
Beverly Hallett, manager of Mapalim Nursery in Sidcup, Kent, says she learned about emotional intelligence from Ms Seed's training course, so that now, as an early years trainer, she can gauge where she and the participants are in their skills and abilities.
'I also gained from Tracy the importance of being a bit more open and the notion that as the trainer, you do not have to be the fount of all knowledge but can throw a question open and get people participating and sharing their knowledge and experience.'
Ms Seed says her course addresses as many requirements as possible. 'It spans how to identify training and development needs, learning styles and domains, and planning activities to meet the needs of the learners. It also covers presentation skills, including preparing yourself and the impact of body language, and ways to foster an emotionally containing environment for participants.'
She gives participants practical tips on overcoming their nerves, facilitating discussions, organising and leading activities and lecturing during sessions.
'The course looks at training informally as well as formally,' she says. 'Sometimes people know all there is to know, but are just not getting their message across.'
She adds, 'The course will help the participants to develop clear aims and planned outcomes, and it also gives space for them to explore ways of delivering and measuring impact.'
THE EXPERT'S VIEW
Kathy Brodie, Early Years Professional and trainer, says 'training the trainer' courses are needed because part of an EYP's role is about training and mentoring others. 'You need to be able to disseminate the information when new policies or procedures are introduced at a setting, or when there are new Government initiatives to implement,' she says. 'Sometimes a new child might start who needs specialist care and you cannot wait to send staff off on training but have to do it in-house.
'Being able to teach others requires specialist skills and understanding. A good course will cover issues such as identifying learning styles - your own as well as those of other people - as you need to be able to meet the needs of everybody in the group you are training. You need to be able to identify learning outcomes clearly and how they can be achieved.'
An effective course will give the participants practical experience at working with different media such as whiteboards, flipcharts or PowerPoint so they can learn how to present information well.
'Preparation is key. A course should show you how to plan the delivery of training, from how to start with an ice breaker to make people feel relaxed and confident, to hooking their attention and how to retain it.
'You need to ensure robust planning and careful timetabling. Quite often, people do not have a realistic idea of how long a presentation will take and they can easily lose the attention of the room. People cannot focus for more than half an hour at a time, so you have to break up the delivery every so often. You need to have activities prepared to keep their interest.'
Effective trainers need to be aware of their body language and the image they are projecting. Ms Brodie says, 'They also have to be good observers and listeners so they can readily respond to questions and queries, as well as cope with challenges ranging from, for example, a potentially disruptive person who resents being on the course to someone who repeatedly wants to sidetrack the discussion.'
COURSES
16-17 December, 20-21 January, 24-25 March, Edexcel BTEC Level 4 Professional Award - Training the Trainer, a two-day course offered by the London-based College of Public Speaking, delivered in London and elsewhere (includes Edexcel BTec certification and one year ongoing mentoring and support). The course can be offered on an in-house basis (maximum six students, two days). Contact Michael Ronayne on T 020 8879 1840, www.collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk
ONGOING COURSES
Train the Trainer, three-day course on how to inspire and develop individuals with effective and motivational training offered by Reed Learning at venues in major cities across the UK, and in the Cotswolds. Current booking discounts available. T 0800 170 7777, www.reedlearning.co.uk
Advanced Certificate in Professional Training Competence, eight-day course leading to professional qualifications, also run by Reed Learning. Details as above.
Institute of Leadership and Management coaching and mentoring qualifications at Levels 3, 5 and 7, offered nationwide. T 01543 266867, www.i-l-m.com
Introduction to Trainer Skills, two-day course developed by City and Guilds. Find your nearest centre offering this qualification at www.cityandguilds.com
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, for all early years practitioners who currently train others as part of their role and/or are wanting to become qualified in teaching and training adults. A four-day course led by Laura Henry, managing director of the Childcare Consultancy at venues in Manchester or London or to suit clients. Call Laura Henry on 020 8689 7733 or e-mail laura@childcareconsult.co.uk
Train the Trainer, a four-day programme led by Tracy Seed, which supports participants in developing an understanding of some core training skills, principles and practices.
Participants will have the chance to design and present and to receive feedback on their performance practice. T 0779 632878, www.tracyseedassociates.co.uk