Changing Childcare, here at FCSS we’re trying to do just that! We’re working hard to deliver the increased flexibility needed by families and communities, firstly at our Dundee pilot project then spreading the flexibility approach like ripples in a pond out across the country.
This week our Ops Director, Susan McGhee, started the week by participating in the Children in Scotland CHANGE Childcare Knowledge Exchange event. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with other forward thinking individuals and organisations, to hear of some of the great work taking place and to share ideas and best practice.
The morning session was spent listening to interesting and inspirational speakers on topics including;
- Family nurture and support – the role of childcare?
- The CHANGE Hub: being part of change
- Fostering social connections between parents
- Play services and outcomes for children
Some great group discussions supported these sessions with everyone being open to sharing their thoughts and offering support to their like-minded peers.
Reinvigorating delegates for the afternoon session was the task of Robert Kennedy and the team from Baltic Street Adventure Playground, this has to have been the best conference lunch break ever…fire making and den building with packed lunches in the woods. Truly wonderful and great to see so many people willing to brave the dreich Scottish weather to get outside!
Kicking off after lunch was CHANGE Childcare’s own Project Officer, Anthony O’Malley who shared with us what families and children really think and want from their childcare services including audio clips from the CHANGE project’s Family Voices work, where families’ shared their experience of accessing childcare in Glasgow East.
Susan was then delighted to have the opportunity to finish the day by sharing the Flexible Childcare Services Scotland journey, the ways we are changing childcare, our future plans and how we are generating system change.
Thank you to Sally Cavers, Childcare and Nurture Glasgow East (CHANGE) Manager and the team at CHANGE Childcare, Children in Scotland for a great day.
