Families in and around Aberdeen are to benefit from highly-trained and motivated childcare with 35 candidates receiving their awards after the successful completion of their training.
The majority are women with young families of their own and have been trained at the Children’s Services Training and Assessment Centre (CSTAC), a voluntary sector organisation managed by Aberlour Child Care Trust, the largest children’s charity working solely in Scotland. They received their awards, Scottish Vocational Qualifications, at a special ceremony at the Copthorne Hotel in Aberdeen.
CSTAC, now in its 11th year, offers a flexible approach to SVQ training. Maggie Hepburn, CSATC’S SVQ Coordinator, said:‘’This style of delivery allows CSTAC staff to provide training opportunities for potential candidates from a wide range of personal circumstances and situations.
‘’That way, candidates can self-pace and take maximum benefit from the training experience, often building an increased sense of self-confidence and competence at the same time. We provide a wide range of assessment methods to cater for the individual.’’
The 35 candidates completed either Children’s Care, Learning and Development and Playwork qualifications. In a new development this year, Aberlour have piloted a new qualification, the National Progression Award in Playwork and Childcare. Lauren Felber, aged 16, attended the event to receive her award.
She said:’’ I learned a lot, especially about linking theory and practice. I felt quite independent in my learning and it has given me ideas for my career.’’ Lauren was presented with her award by her assessor, Susan Greig.
CSTAC have also been a provider for childminders undertaking their SVQ level 3 qualifications for over 10 years. The most recent achieved candidate, Michelle Gibson, was also chosen as the ‘’face of Aberlour’’
She said: ‘’I notice a big difference in the confidence I have in myself and I am thinking about going on to do a degree. I look at my business in a more professional way. I have more confidence speaking to parents.’’
CSTAC is to make the awards an annual event now they are settled in their new premises at Silverburn Lodge.
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About CSTAC
Children’s Services Training Assessment Centre exists to support and promote quality childcare provision. (CSTAC) is a learning centre providing training, qualifications and consultancy on quality initiatives to early years and out of school care settings throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. We are a voluntary sector organisation, managed by Aberlour Childcare Trust.
CSTAC aims
• To improve the quality of care and education children and young people receive when looked after outside their own home, by training those who work with them. It does this in a way that respects the individual childcare worker, and values the work of being with and meeting the needs of children in their formative years.
• To increase access to employment in childcare for local people.
• CSTAC offers a wide and varied training programme for all staff levels and settings
• CSTAC’s work is based on building on existing strengths, encourages people to become involved in making changes to the way they do things, supports them to develop good practice and develop knowledge and understanding.
About the awards
CSTAC is an SQA Accredited Centre for the delivery of Scottish Voluntary Qualifications (SVQs). It provides a learning centre providing training, qualifications and consultancy on quality initiatives to early years and out of school care settings throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. It delivers SVQs in Children’s Care Learning and Development, Levels 2, 3 and 4, and Playwork, Levels 2, 3 and 4 and Learning and Development qualifications.