Introduction 

Starcatchers is a pioneering organisation that specialises in performances and creativity for babies, toddlers and young children under the age of five in Scotland.  In addition to creative development and tours of performances for this age group, Starcatchers also delivers programmes of training for Early Years practitioners.

Since 2013, Starcatchers has been delivering Creative Skills training for Early Years practitioners in Scotland.  Funded by the Scottish Government, this programme offers a range of training sessions from Early Years artists which explore a range of art forms using a playful, open-ended, child centred approach. As evidenced through an independent evaluation undertaken for the pilot programme 2013-15 (Really Useful Knowledge), the training has been proven to deepen understanding of arts and creativity and to help participants integrate knowledge and skills gained into practice. 

We are delighted that the Scottish Government has funded this free, innovative training for Inverclyde, Dundee, Aberdeen, Midlothian and Fife in 2018-19.

The training is for everyone working across the Early Years sector, including staff in nursery and family centre settings, health workers, childminders, and out-of-school and play workers.

‘If we are to encourage the next generation to be creative, flexible and confident, as practitioners we must first embody those principles ourselves.  We need to be brave.’ Rhona Matheson, Chief Executive, Starcatchers

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14/15 participants in a movement workshop

14/15 participants in a movement workshop
Participant Feedback from 2014-17:

"It has given me a lot more creative/ new ideas to implement in my practice. It has inspired me to be more creative in my daily work and showed me abilities and the confidence I have”

"Whatever I am doing I feel can be undertaken with some form of arts activity” 

"I’ve learned we can’t let creativity get squashed into a certain time of the day. Now we’re doing it all day through” 

"This needs to roll out to everyone who works with children"

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14/15 participants engaging with a music session

14/15 participants engaging with a music session

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