Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 4.1: Engage in professional development
Learning outcome: Be able to use reflective practice to contribute to own professional development
Assessment criteria: Review own learning needs, professional interests and development opportunities
As an Early Years Practitioner, it is important to continually review your own learning needs, professional interests and development opportunities. This will ensure that you can provide the best possible care and education for the children in your setting.
Learning needs are areas where you or your supervisor feel that practice could be improved. Reviewing your learning needs regularly will help you identify areas where you need further development.
Professional interests are the subjects or aspects of your work that you are particularly interested in. For example, you may have a personal interest in working with children that are on the Autistic Spectrum. By identifying this interest, you can work with your supervisor to develop your skills in this area. This could mean additional training or opportunities to work more frequently with Autistic children. Pursuing your professional interests will help you stay up-to-date with developments in Early Years care and education and make your work more enjoyable.
Development opportunities include any activities that help you improve competence and confidence and progress in your career. In the example above, working with Autistic children and gaining experience in this area, as well as formal training and conducting your own research, could lead to being promoted to the role of SENCO within your organisation.