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Vikki Scholes

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Vikki Scholes

Course Leader, Education & Early Years



Vikki joined the Early Years Team as a Lecturer at UCO in May 2018 with over 20 years’ experience across a range of early years, education and play settings.

Vikki has previously owned and managed a childcare business which provided before, after and holiday care for children age 4-11 and she is a qualified Primary Teacher (QTS) with experience of teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and 2. Vikki has also worked for local authorities as an Early Years, Childcare and Play Advisor for Cheshire East Council and as a Lead Advisor for Early Years and Education for Trafford Council.

Working at strategic levels, Vikki held specific responsibility for supporting Head Teachers and Managers within schools, private, voluntary and independent provision. Vikki supported provisions to meet Ofsted regulatory frameworks; including support with inspections, play, and quality improvement and safeguarding practice. Vikki was involved with the implementation of government initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative, Extended Schools Agenda, Sure Start programmes, Children’s Centres and the roll out of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory framework.

Vikki holds the internationally recognised Environment Rating Scales qualification, used for large UK research studies such as the Effective Provision of Pre School (EPPE) and the National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS) and has assessed and supported provision across Trafford using these scales. Vikki delivered the pilot for a school ‘Transitions Project’ in partnership with the East Manchester Education Action Zone and Manchester Metropolitan University; which resulted in the roll out of this project across all primary schools in East Manchester. She is a qualified Play work Principles tutor and quality assurance mentor and has written and delivered training extensively across all early years sectors, including schools, nurseries, and childminders and out of school play provision. Vikki has a particular interest in risk, play and quality in early years practice. V

ikki has taught in Further Education and Higher Education and has previously lectured on the CACHE L3 Early Years and Education Diploma and the Healthcare Play Specialism Foundation Degree. On this course Vikki supported experienced and qualified early years practitioners to meet professional standards required to become Healthcare Play Specialists leading to registration with Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust (HPSET).

 


 

Qualifications

B.Ed. (Hons) Primary Education (QTS) 2000 –(Manchester Metropolitan University)



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