History

The Early Years Scotland Professional Academy, launched officially at the end of 2018, expanded to include a new Online Learning Platform to offer new opportunities for professional learning and the development of Early Learning and Childcare National Collaborative Learning Communities.

Children from Early Years Scotland's 2 Stay Play and Learn service in Drumchapel, Glasgow, become the youngest ever performers at the Scottish Parliament when they performed 'Believe in Me', a song they have co-written with musicians McKay-Stout. Early Years Scotland holds its first ever Early Learning and Childcare careers event, and over 360 delegates make Early Years Scotland's annual conference the biggest yet.

The organisation celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the annual conference. The launch of Early Years Scotland’s Professional Learning Academy takes place.

The first Early Years Scotland ‘Question Time’ event is held on 20 September in the University of Strathclyde. A panel of experts and an informed, enthusiastic audience debated the question: ‘What age should children start school?’

February 24, 2015

On this day SPPA were officially renamed Early Years Scotland. The Minister for Children and Young People, Fiona McLeod MSP, joined children, staff and guests at a launch party in Scaraway Nursery School in Milton, Glasgow, to cut a celebratory cake and unveil a new logo and website.

Two new membership magazines ‘Early Years Scotland Magazine for Practitioners’ and ‘Parent Chat’ are published.

Early Years Scotland's pioneering ‘Learning Together Through Play’ programme in prisons wins the ‘One to Watch’ SSSC Care Accolade Award.

Dumfries & Galloway Play Service, Stay and Play/ Stay and Play Plus Service in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dumfries. ‘Off to a Good Start Early Explorer Workshops’ expand into Forth Valley. SPPA supports toddler groups in North Lanarkshire and the One Glasgow Initiative.

Making a Difference ‘Stay and Play’ sessions begin in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dumfries. First Early Years Programme ‘Learning Together Through Play’ begins in HMP Dumfries.

SPPA launches its Manifesto for the Early Years: Enriching Children’s Lives. SPPA increases its delivery of early intervention work with children and families in Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway.

SPPA celebrates 40 years as an independent organisation at the Scottish Parliament. SPPA joins the Coalition of Childhood Umbrella Organisations to develop a professionally recognised qualified workforce within the voluntary and independent workforce. SPPA Headquarters move to Granville Street in Glasgow.

SPPA’s first Manifesto for Young Children launched. Launch of Crèche Express. SPPA hosts ‘Respecting Differences in the Early Years’ Seminar in partnership with the Peace Initiative Institute, Early Years, and Queen’s University Belfast at the Scottish Parliament. SPPA participates in the development of the new Standard for Childhood Practice.

SPPA provides evidence to the Early Years Inquiry at the Scottish Parliament. New venture, subsidiary company Direct Childcare Services Ltd. Achievement of Investor in People Award.

SPPA contributes to Birth to Three for Scottish Executive; Learning and Teaching Scotland and Adventures in Foodland for NHS Health Scotland.

‘Off to a Good Start’ Parent and Toddler Group project in North and South Lanarkshire.

SPPA Headquarters move to Finnieston Street, Glasgow. ‘Off to a Good Start’ Parent and Toddler Group project in Renfrewshire.

Candidates from the United Arab Emirates enrol for SPPA’s Learning and Development Self Study Pack.

SPPA contributes to the National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16.

First ‘Off to a Good Start’ Parent and Toddler Group project begins in Glasgow. Learning Through Play logo and strapline adopted, SPPA’s website www.sppa.org.uk launched.

SPPA contributes to The Child at the Centre. Local Authority Childcare Partnerships set up and SPPA represents its members on these.

SPPA Quality Assurance Accreditation Scheme launched. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund Grant given to support it. Keep your group on the right tracks. Catch the Quality Assurance Express!

Parent to Parent magazine becomes First Five.

SPPA becomes one single body without Branches and Regions.

Roundabout magazine changes its name to Parent to Parent.

Basic Training in Playwork launched and awarded 1st Prize in Scottish Committee in Open Learning Competition.

Mother and Toddler Groups Under-Fives Groups Guidelines produced.

Scottish Headquarters move to Elliot Place, Glasgow. Organisations Play in Scottish Hospitals and Stepping Stones become independent.

SPPA logo adopted.

SPPA membership magazine Roundabout introduced.

The new name of Scottish Pre-school Play Association is adopted.

Scope in Scotland formed. Constituent parts Scottish Pre-school Playgroups Association, Play in Scottish Hospitals, Stepping Stones, Scottish Mother and Toddler Groups.

2,000 members in Scotland.

Focus groups continue work on Mother and Toddler Project in Areas of Need, Play in Hospitals and Playgroups.

Playgroups in the Eighties Opportunities for Parents and Children; a joint statement from all UK PPAs SPPA. Headquarters move to Sandyford Place, Glasgow.

SPPA alters its constitution to include Mother and Toddler Groups, hospital and other playschemes. Daisy Chain newsletter for Mother and Toddler Groups starts.

First Advisor for Projects in Areas of Need. Working party on Play in Prison.

Carnegie grant for project on Playgroups in Areas of Need.

Adviser appointed to Play for Children in Hospitals.

Special interest committee on Mother and Toddler Groups formed. Four SPPA advisers in post. Working party set up to consider playgroups in areas of special need.

First General Secretary of SPPA, Moira Ferguson, later to become first Executive Officer. Rapid expansion in numbers of Mother and Toddler Groups.

1,050 members in Scotland. The birth of SPPA at PPA AGM in Edinburgh - SPPA is constituted. Hector Munro, Under Secretary of State for Health and Education, opens Headquarters ‘Playgroup House’, in Glasgow. First Scottish Edition of Contact magazine.

900 members in Scotland. First publications printed.

First Scottish Adviser, Rae Paul appointed through grant from Social Work Department. The Playgroup Movement by Brenda Crowe published.

83,000 children attending playgroups nationwide. First Scottish PPA Annual General Meeting. First Scottish Local Authority Playgroup Adviser, Jenny Overton.

Brenda Crowe appointed as the National Adviser to England and Wales. Scottish Executive Committee formed. Scottish Education Department grant. Headquarters office in Maryhill, Glasgow,100 members in Scotland.

Department of Education and Science grant for a National Adviser. First PPA Office London.

Questions asked in the House of Commons about playgroups. National Campaign for Nursery Education formed, PPA a member. West of Scotland Branch of PPA formed with 29 members.

London County Council allocated £1,000 per annum for two years for a playgroup adviser for the Inner London Education Authority.

The Nursery School Campaign name changed to the Pre-school Playgroups Association (PPA) constituted as an educational charity. First national conference in London.

The Nursery School Campaign formed and 3,588 people signed the petition calling for more nursery schools and play facilities for children under 5. A letter was sent to the Guardian by Nursery School Campaign Organiser, Belle Tutaev.