Training firm tackles the Early Years recruitment crisis

Eden Training Solutions Introduces New Approach to Tackle the Early Years Recruitment Crisis 

Leading Early Years training provider will help nurseries ‘grow their own’ talent whilst boosting skills with bespoke training. 

Yorkshire-based training firm, Eden Training Solutions, which specialises in Early Years qualifications, has introduced a new training delivery model for UK nurseries to help overcome the recruitment crisis. This will see the company working closely with Early Years care providers to deliver all the requirements of apprenticeships, with additional training on road safety awareness, digital skills and paediatric first aid. 

The training model will allow all of the 350 nurseries it works with, encompassing independent businesses and chains, to ‘grow their own’ talent by providing Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualifications for people entering the industry, and Level 3 Early Years Lead Practitioner qualifications to upskill existing teams. 

John Hirst, Director of Quality at Eden Training Solutions, comments:

“We’re aware that the pandemic has been a real blow to the sector, with numbers of people wishing to enter or remain working in Early Years dropping significantly. Subsequently, this impacts the quality of care nurseries are able to provide and the future of many nurseries’ businesses. 

“We want to make it easier for Early Years providers to attract and develop new talent by offering comprehensive and relevant training under one roof. The additional subjects of Paediatric First Aid, Digital Skills and Road Safety Awareness qualifications are designed to motivate learners with relevant, engaging topics that enhance the education and childcare service they can offer to children who attend their nurseries.”

Following an initial e-learning module to gain theatrical knowledge, learners on the Paediatric First Aid course will experience a practical, hands-on approach to develop skills that will enable them to deliver first aid, in real-life situations, with confidence. This will cover choking, bleeding, burning and scalding, objects in eyes, ears and noses, hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, sickness and fever. It will also incorporate how to respond if a child is unresponsive or not breathing, including the use of an automated external defibrillator. How to spot and what to do in a medical emergency, such as meningitis, seizures, asthma attack, anaphylactic shock and head injuries and other critical situations will also be covered.

Developed in conjunction with Road Safety GB, the Road Safety Awareness course is designed to support and enrich Early Years Practitioners’ overall knowledge and awareness of safety practices to establish strong cognitive skills around road safety at a key age. 

The Digital Skills masterclass has been created for practitioners to develop digital skills including Microsoft 365 software, e-safety, cyber security and essential skills for navigating the fast-evolving digital age. 

Leanne Wayne, founder and owner of Little Explorers Nursery, which has been working with Eden Training Solutions since March 2020, comments:

“It’s clear that work needs to be done at a grassroots level to raise the profile of what is, an extremely fulfilling and rewarding career shaping young minds. 

“Part of that drive needs to be about changing perceptions but also offering new opportunities for people to carve out a career and move up the ladder. Working with Eden is giving us the chance to attract young talent with qualifications and skills that will set them up for life, grow our existing teams, and provide enhanced training that will give them – and us – a competitive edge.”