Working with Children
A Guide to Qualifications and Careers in Early Education, Childcare and Playwork

Useful Contacts and Further Information

If you are now interested in finding out more about working in early education, childcare or playwork you should contact one of the organisations below:

• Learning Direct Scotland is a national Freephone Helpline (0800 100 900) which can provide information on a full range of careers and education and training opportunities. Where appropriate advisers will put you in touch with the right local organisation to offer you further assistance. Learning Direct Scotland can also give you telephone numbers of your local further education college, universities, careers service offices, adult guidance network offices and so on. The helpline is free to everyone and available from Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 9.00pm and on Saturday: 9.00am to 12 Noon.
• If you are at school, college or university your careers/guidance teacher or office.
• Careers Services provide information, advice and guidance to 16 and 17 year olds, those in full- or part-time education at school or college and those of any age with disabilities (including learning disabilities). Some Careers Services also provide advice and guidance for other groups. Telephone numbers are listed in the phone book or available from Learning Direct Scotland.
• Adult Guidance Networks offer a service similar to that of Careers Services to adults. You can get the number of your local Network from Learning Direct Scotland.
• Employment Service offices or Jobcentres can provide advice and support on finding work and on national programmes such as the New Deal, Skillseekers, Modern Apprenticeships and Training for Work. You can find the number for your local office or Jobcentre in the phone book.
• Local Enterprise Companies (LECs) can also provide advice on national work based training programmes, such as Skillseekers. If you are not sure of your nearest LEC office you can phone either Scottish Enterprise (0141 248 2700) or Highlands and Islands Enterprise (01463 234171). Phone numbers for all LECs are listed in the phone book under Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
• If you have access to the internet you might want to look at www.ceg.org.uk which lists job and course descriptors for many careers, including some early education and childcare courses. It also has useful links to other websites.
• The Scottish Qualifications Authority (the national body in Scotland for the development, accreditation, assessment, and certification of qualifications other than degrees). Their helpline number is 0141 242 2214 and their website: www.sqa.org.uk
• If you want information on funding for higher education courses then the Students Awards Agency for Scotland will be able to help. Their telephone number is 0131 476 8212. Their website address is www.student-support-saas.gov.uk which also gives information on funding availability for some non-HE courses.

Umbrella bodies and other useful contacts

Scottish Independent Nurseries Association
Abbothill
Ayr
Ayrshire
KA6 6AQ

Tel: 01292 571354

Scottish Pre-school Play Association
14 Elliot Place
Glasgow
G3 8EP

Tel: 0141 221 4148

Scottish Childminding Association
Stirling Business Centre
Wellgreen
Stirling
FK8 2DZ

Tel: 01786 445377

Comhairle Nan Sgoiltean Araich
(Gaelic Pre-school Council)
53 Church Street
Inverness
IV1 1DR

Tel: 01463 225469

Highland Pre-school Service
Kinmyles Building
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 6NN

Tel: 01463 703440

Scottish Childcare and Education Board
6 Kilford Crescent
Dundonald
Kilmarnock
KA2 9DW

Tel: 01563 850440

Early Years National Training Organisation
Pilgrim's Lodge
Holywell Hill
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 1ER

Tel: 01727 738300

SPRITO
(National Training Organisation for Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations)
24 Stevenson Way
London
NW1 2HD

Tel: 0171 388 7755

If you have queries or comments on the text of this booklet please contact:

Francesca Osowska
The Scottish Executive
Early Education and Childcare Division
Area 2B
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

Tel: 0131 244 7854

More copies of this booklet are available from: (or download pdf file)

The Stationery Office Bookshop
71 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9AZ

Tel: 0131 228 4181