Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Children’s Minister wowed by visit to campus
IAN BUNTING
Scotland’s Minister for Children and Young People had the chance to see students and“little learners” engage with live STEM workshops during a visit to New College Lanarkshire’s Coatbridge campus.
Maree Todd MSP also took part in a question and answer session with early learning and childcare students, with more than 200 students and staff from the college’s three main campuses in Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Motherwell in attendance.
Ms Todd was able to watch students “learning in action” as she observed a live assessment of NQ early learning and childcare (SCQF Level 6) students and their innovation in delivering STEM in early years to 20 kids from the Coatbridge campus’ nursery.
A pharmacist by profession, Ms Todd made the visit as part of the Scottish Government’s expansion programme of funded childcare, which will mean that all three and four-year-olds, and around a quarter of two-year-olds, will be entitled to 1140 hours every year from August.
Ms Todd said: “It was my pleasure to meet young people joining the early learning and childcare sector and hearing about their hopes and expectations as they build their knowledge, experience and skills at New College Lanarkshire.
“The views of the students will help us to shape the sector as we move in to the final stages of implementing the most generous early learning and childcare offer in the UK.”
The Minister was greeted on arrival by New College Lanarkshire’s principal and chief executive Professor Christopher Moore and Clare Flynn, head of faculty of care and science.
Professor Moore said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Maree Todd MSP to New College Lanarkshire to experience how our students are actively engaging with little learners from our nurseries.
“We appreciate immensely the time that Ms Todd was able to spend answering our students’ questions and sharing insights from her own career.
“New College Lanarkshire is proud to be at the forefront of early learning and childcare education; our students shape the STEM development of young children across Lanarkshire and beyond.
“Our focus on high quality learning in both classrooms and in work placements gives our students a solid foundation that develops their skills, knowledge and experience.
“Ultimately, this significantly enhances our students’ career prospects and, as importantly, a new generation of children benefit greatly from their direction and enthusiasm.”
Clare Flynn added: “It was a privilege to host the Minister during National Storytelling Week and Children’s Mental Health Week.
“STEM in early years and the Forest Schools initiatives are just two of the exciting curriculum developments showcasing how our wonderful students put the child at the centre through holistic play-based learning.
“Our students and staff in the faculty of care and science understand that this is a very exciting time of expansion and opportunity in early learning and childcare.
“As the practitioners of the future, our students are actively putting theory into practice in a way that is stimulating and rewarding for all involved.”