Bolton Start Well

The government has provided a package of up to £180 million for workforce training, to help address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest and most disadvantaged children.

This programme is linked to both the Early years education recovery programme: supporting the sector which includes training for the Home Learning Environment (HLE) and the Family Hub Programme, with funding to support Early Language and Home Learning Environment. 

Making it REAL

• Boosts children’s communication, language and early literacy development.
• Supports parents and the home learning environment.
• Takes a low cost/no-cost approach.
• Is fun, engaging and accessible to all.
• Is built around the four strands of literacy and the ORIM framework.
• Builds practitioners and parents’ knowledge, skills and confidence to support children’s early literacy.

How this programme works

• Practitioners attend 2-days Making it REAL training and are provided with a comprehensive training resource.
• Settings work with three families through a series of 4 home visits per family and 2-4 whole setting literacy events.
• During the home visits, practitioners take resources for the family to have and demonstrate and model the 4 strands of literacy and ORIM. (Usually each of the 4 home visits is themed on one of the Strands of Literacy) - To find out more about this, watch the short video clips at the bottom of this page.
• Pre and post programme data is collected.
• Practitioners attend 1 – 2 hour termly network meetings.These are face to face. The settings delivering the project support each other as a community of practice, and have the opportunity to ask further questions about the Making it REAL approach as the programme is delivered.
• The full programme will take approximately 3 terms.

The 'Raising Early Achievement in Literacy - Making it REAL' programme is fully-funded for settings and schools that meet the eligibility criteria below.

Eligibility 

Initially, places will be allocated to those settings or schools that meet the following criteria:  

• Group providers who deliver the EYFS to funded 3 and 4-year-olds.
• 'Good' or 'Outstanding' providers.
• Significant number of families who would benefit most from accessing REAL.
• Setting/school in a deprived area of Bolton.
• Experienced in supporting Home Learning Environment.
• Experience of home visits/willing to introduce home visiting.

Please note - If you are interested in this training but don't meet all eligibility criteria, we would still encourage you to apply. Places will be allocated first to those meeting all criteria, and will then be offered to those meeting most of the criteria and so on.

Expression of interest: If you are interested in the Raising Early Achievement in Literacy - Making it REAL in Bolton, please complete this short form: Expression of Interest Form before Friday 15th March 2024. 

Places will be confirmed by Start Well and a Training Agreement shared with the setting or schools, and delegates by 22nd March 2024. 

Price

Fully-funded with supply cover payment.

Lunch and refreshments provided.

Course dates and venue

Tuesday 16th April 2024, 9:00am - 4:30pm 
Tuesday 23rd April 2024, 9:00am - 4:30pm

Participants must attend both sessions at Harvey Start Well Centre, Shaw Street, BL3 6HU. 

The network session dates will be:

• Tuesday, 21st May 2024, 9:15am - 10:45am, Bolton Central Library
• Autumn term TBC
• Spring term TBC

Delivered by: National Children's Bureau and Partners

Who is this training programme for?

This training programme is for settings and schools who deliver the EYFS to funded 3 and 4-year-olds.

Please contact StartWellBookings@bolton.gov.uk if you have any questions or queries.

Commitments and Cancellations

In order to maintain best value, we need to run this course on a maximum occupancy basis. If your place is confirmed but you are unable to attend, please send an alternative representative or cancel your place in writing by e-mailing: StartWellBookings@bolton.gov.uk with a minimum of 24 hours' notice.

An administration fee of £25 per person will be charged for the non-attendance of any individual following an online or confirmed telephone booking. These fees will be waived if you send a replacement attendee from your setting to take up your place.

Bolton Start Well operates on a not-for-profit basis. Our focus is to achieve positive meaningful outcomes. Any surplus income is reinvested to maintain and improve the quality of our services and customer care.

Disclaimer

If for any reason we have to cancel or postpone training, we will notify all delegates as quickly as possible.

Video clips