1. Unit 2.1 An introduction to the role of the early years practitioner

2. Learning Outcomes LO3 Understand working relationships in early years.
AC 3.1 Explain how a working relationship is different to a personal relationship.
AC 3.2 Identify different working relationships in early years settings.
AC3.3 Explain reasons for working in partnership with others.
AC 3.4 Identify skills and approaches needed for resolving conflict.
LO4 Understand why Continuing Professional Development is integral to the role of the early years practitioner.
AC 4.1 Explain why Continuing Professional Development is integral to the role of the early years practitioner.

3. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.1)
Time: 15 mins
If you have a disagreement with someone, how do you decide who is right and who is wrong?
Consider a disagreement with:
A best friend
A family member
A teacher
Someone who you do not know very well.

4. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.1)
Practitioners will always need to be friendly to all parents/carers, but they need to stay professional at all times.
Practitioners may be friends with their colleagues outside of the setting, but while at work it is important to have a professional relationship.
Practitioners might be related to, or friends with, parents/carers who use the setting, but when their child attends the setting, the practitioner must remember that they are at work and that the child becomes their professional responsibility.

5. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.2)
Practitioners have different working relationships with a variety of people.
These will include:
Colleagues
Other professionals
Parents/carers
Children.

6. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.2)
Time: 15 mins
Practitioners will have to work with many different people, and they may need to adapt the way they interact with others to suit the situation.
Describe how a practitioner could:
Pass on an important piece of information to a colleague
Ask a speech and language therapist for advice on working with a child who struggles to communicate by talking
Talk to a parent/carer about their child’s progress.
Learners should identify the possible differences in working relationships. Answers could include:
Informing a colleague immediately but professionally
Arranging a meeting with the S&LT
Speaking to a parent/carer in a professional manner and explaining the facts without being judgemental.

7. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.3)
Working in partnership
Working in partnership with others will make sure the individual needs of all children are met.
When working in partnership with parents/carers, practitioners will be able to gather and share important information.
Practitioners will work with other professionals and this will make sure of positive outcomes for children.
Working in partnership requires effective communication between everyone involved in order to meet the holistic needs of the child.

8. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.3)
Time: 15 mins
Create a set of questions you can ask your supervisor about how to work in partnership with others.
Consider asking questions such as:
How could you tell a parent/carer about an activity their child took part in?
How could you ask a colleague for some advice on using a piece of equipment?
Other questions could include:
How to talk to a parent/carer about an issue with their child
How to share good news with a parent/carer in a professional manner
How to ask a colleague about a particular activity
How to ask a colleague about a child with specific needs.

9. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.4)
Skills and approaches for resolving conflict
Conflicts, arguments and disagreements may occur within the setting.
A consistent and fair approach has to be used when resolving any conflict, and it is important that practitioners follow the policies and procedures of the setting.
It is important that everyone is valued and respected and that each individual’s point of view is listened to.
Effective communication will support practitioners to resolve conflicts, as this will help them deal with situations in a calm and professional manner.

10. 3. Understand working relationships in early years (3.4)
Time: 15 mins
Discuss how conflicts are managed in your setting.
Consider:
What happens when two children argue over a toy?
A parent comes in angry because their child has paint on their clothes
A disagreement between practitioners
Have you seen other examples of resolving conflict in the setting?
Learners should be encouraged to discuss examples of good practice as well as areas for improvement from their own setting. If learners have not observed situations of conflict, then they can be encouraged to discuss how they might deal with the situation if it were to occur.

11. Continuing Professional Development
4. Understand why Continuing Professional Development is integral to the role of the early years practitioner (4.1)
Continuing Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) allows practitioners to keep up to date with new knowledge and skills.
CPD provides practitioners with opportunities for training and refresher courses.
CPD is very important in the role of the practitioner to make sure that they are following the latest legislation, guidelines and policies.
CPD will enable practitioners to learn new skills to support them in their role.

12. 4. Understand why Continuing Professional Development is integral to the role of the early years practitioner (4.1)
Time: 15 mins
Identify training opportunities that could support a practitioner’s Continuing Professional Development.
Consider:
New legislation or government guidelines
Supporting children with specific additional needs
Health and safety at work.
Learners should discuss a range of reasons as to why practitioners may need to update their knowledge and skills.

13. 4. Understand why Continuing Professional Development is integral to the role of the early years practitioner (4.1)
Time: 15 mins
What professional skills would you like to develop? Research training opportunities that are of interest to you.
Consider:
First aid
Managing children’s behaviour
Communicating with children with specific needs
Understanding different dietary needs.
Learners should use this task to research specific areas they are interested in but may need more training in.

14. Summary
Practitioners will work with a range of other people and they need to develop professional working relationships.
Practitioners will need to develop strategies to resolve conflict.
Practitioners will need to develop their knowledge and skills to improve their own practice through Continuing Professional Development.

15. Plenary
Explain the difference between being friendly and being friends.
Give two examples of when conflict may occur.
What does CPD stand for?