Early learning and childcare (ELC) staff are receiving new help to inspire young children in science and maths.

A new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning package, developed in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland, provides multi-media resources and activities for staff to help babies and children to develop curiosity in the world around them.

It is the first in a suite of free continuous professional learning modules being rolled out as part of a drive to increase the quality of early learning and childcare services, ahead of the near doubling of childcare entitlement from this August.

Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “ELC settings are already great at inspiring and developing children’s curiosity in the world around us. This module showcases some of the brilliant learning in STEM happening and supports practitioners to give children the highest quality learning in these topics.

“While nearly doubling the entitlement to funded early learning and childcare for parents, we are also providing continuous professional learning for staff to ensure skills and knowledge are up to date and follow best practice.”

The free online STEM module is available at: https://open.uws.ac.uk/login/index.php This will take you straight to the sign-in/log-in screen; once there, type the word “STEM” in the module search box to enrol for the STEM module. The module covers STEM, outdoor learning and improving gender balance & equalities. A link to the module can also be found in the National Induction Resource on the Scottish Social Services Council website and on Education Scotland’s National Improvement Hub. Look out for details of other online learning modules becoming available too.

You can also access guidance on numeracy and maths progression, from early years to Level 4 on Glow.