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"We started to work with ECA in November 2007 because we needed all eight of our settings to be ready for EYFS by September this year. ECA worked with us to create a plan which would ensure each location achieved the required standard before the deadline.
This plan involved a combination of regular visits to the nurseries where observations were made and advice given as well as structured training sessions for all employees. The observations and training were supported with detailed reports and meetings between ECA and senior managers in order to track progress.
We are pleased to say that we achieved our objective early, and by June, all our nurseries and school clubs were competent in EYFS. We have also seen significant improvements in the general skill levels of our employees and this had a positive effect on their confidence and interaction with children, parents and their peer groups.
The standards being attained by our teams allow them to give the children an excellent play and learning environment where the activities are tailored to the child’s individual ability and this has enabled us to achieve five areas of ‘Outstanding’ in our two most recent inspections.
The child’s day is full of exciting activities that provide relevant and understandable experiences for them. Parents are also seeing the benefits of the improvements, as our parental satisfaction results are at their highest ever levels.
A further benefit we have noticed is that, as teams become more confident and self sufficient, our managers have more time to complete the tasks they want to do. In summary, Jude and Sarah have not only achieved their task of ensuring readiness for EYFS, they have also had a major positive impact across all aspects of our business."
David Macgill - Director of Fisherfield Farm Nurseries - September 2008
'The training offered by Sarah and Jude is fun and easy to understand. I know that they are on hand to answer any problems that I have after training has ended and they will come into settings to help us when we ask them.' (Sam, nursery practitioner, Warrington 2008)
The SEF training was very clear and easy to follow. As a consequence we have written our SEF with the parents and staff and some children and it is submitted. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders and that I can get on with my job of caring for children. (Manager, Rainbows Day Nursery 2009)
