Three organisations offering early years care for children received Manx Step into Quality Awards at a presentation at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education yesterday.
The successful settings were Auldyn and Andreas schools and The Children’s Centre’s early years provision in Woodbourne Road and Park Road.
In addition, four settings that have already gained the award took part in a post-award verification process and were rewarded for continuing to operate at a good standard. They were reception classes at Auldyn, Braddan and Sulby schools and Victoria House Nursery in Douglas.
The Manx Step into Quality Award allows early years care providers to examine what they do under half a dozen headings – environment, interactions, routines, key personnel, parents and leadership and management – and consider what works well and what could be improved upon. It takes, on average, a year to complete.
Some providers will be satisfied with the achievement while others to go on to work towards the full Manx Quality Award, which has eight modules – opportunities and experiences; relationships with children, parents and the wider community; working together as a team; routines; the great outdoors; interactions; meeting everyone’s needs and management and business – and takes around two years to complete.
Both awards are overseen by the Isle of Man College of F&HE with the support of the Department of Education and Children. All early years providers are encouraged to work towards the awards.
Jayne Adamson, the DEC’s School Improvement Adviser for Early Years, said:
‘The establishment of these awards reflects the work that both the Department of Education and Children and Isle of Man College of F&HE are undertaking to ensure organisations caring for young children attain the highest standards. Some of the organisations rewarded today are consolidating a year’s hard work and embedding new practice into their settings. Others are continuing their work in preparation for the full Manx Quality Award.’
Tina Moore, co-ordinator for the award, said:
‘We are delighted that the Manx Step into Quality Award continues to support settings and celebrate good practice. It is especially pleasing for verifiers to return to Manx Step into Quality Award settings and identify maintenance of the required standards, as well as further developments based on their reflections and action plans.’
Making yesterday’s presentations was Peter Lovekin, Programme Area Manager for Education, Health and Care at the College.
To date, 17 organisations have earned Manx Step into Quality Awards. Three settings are continuing with the pilot of the full Manx Quality Award, with newly awarded Manx Step into Quality groups joining them in January 2013.
Applications are invited from childcare providers wishing to work towards the Manx Step into Quality Award in 2013. For more information, contact tina.moore@iomcollege.ac.im or ring +44 1624 648295.
