Enhanced Apprenticeships in Play and Attachment
Today Tigers Group are proud and excited to launch our Enhanced Apprenticeships in Play and Attachment.
Over a period of time, we at Tigers Group have listened carefully to our colleagues and friends from across the Early Years Community talk of the existing challenges and future needs of the sector.
During those conversations they have spoken clearly about the need to create a confident, knowledgeable, articulate workforce as the Early Years Community inevitably grows.
We have understood and recognised those same challenges though our own experiences at our attachment led nursery settings at Lullaby Lane, as well as within our own Early Years Training Academy.
That period of reflection, engagement and learning has led us to further understand that significant learning and development only happens in the presence of secure, positive relationships.
At Tigers Group, when approaching any challenge or project, we always start with why as possessing that clarity of intention helps inform the how and what we do.
In the words of Group Managing Director Pauline Scott; “We have a vision for this world where all children have access to free, unstructured play, and loving relationships with highly attuned adults in their lives, during their most formative years. The science tells us the benefits.
This new initiative is designed to provide the adults in the lives of children, the knowledge they deserve to know, at the very start of their career. Once you know this information you cannot unknow it. The adults deserve it, the children deserve it.”
In order to support that vision, we have invited a group of exceptional individuals to join our programme as resident trainers delivering a series of bespoke workshops on topics chosen to expand learning and enrich the practice of the individual trainee.
Those residents, all of whom we are privileged to call friends, share our vision and our passion to support positive change across the Early Years Community.
Our resident trainers are:
Laura Henry-Allain MBE, Producer, Storyteller, Educationalist and Consultant
Suzanne Zeedyk, Founder, connected baby
James Docherty, ACEs to Assets
Nikki Black MBE, Nursery Head in Glasgow
Sue Palmer, Chair, Upstart Scotland
Donna Adams, Nursery Manager, Lullaby Lane Nurseries
Jacqui McDonald, Education Consultant
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children 1st
Our bespoke, in person, workshops will cover a diverse range of topics including Equality and Inclusion, Compassionate Leadership, Play Based Learning, UNCRC, Safeguarding, Attachment Theory, Working with multiple services and Adverse Childhood experiences.
In addition to all of the above we will arrange for field trip visits for all participants to other care and early year settings, all to help them understand the ways children play, learn and grow.
Finally, as part of the new Play and Attachment programme we will deliver both the Social Services Children and Young People Modern Apprenticeships at Level 7 and Level 9.
We believe in creating this enhanced Modern Apprenticeship we have demonstrated our knowledge of the sector, our desire to support positive change within the same and an unyielding commitment to supporting and inspiring young people to develop their infinite potential.
We cannot wait to get started and we look forward to working with you all in the very near future.
For more information you can contact our Early Years Academy at earlyyears@tigersltd.co.uk or by telephone 0141 771 5200.
A Family's Experience at Lullaby Lane
A Family's Experience at Lullaby Lane
Choosing a nursery for your 1st child is a daunting experience – so many choices, so many opinions, so many options, so many crazy waiting lists and much wondering about what is the right decision.
This was what faced us in the Autumn of 2014 after our daughter Emily was born as we began to think about the logistics of childcare. When we went to visit Lullaby Lane we instantly knew this was the place – a sign at the door said “home from home” – and within minutes of being inside the nursery and meeting the staff for the first time we knew this was the place for us! Lullaby Lane is far more than a nursery, it’s family! And now after roughly 7 years we have come to the end of our journey as parents of children at Lullaby Lane but we will forever hold it in our hearts, and be a supporter of Pauline and her teams as much as we can.
“I love being able to get outdoors all the time and being able to play on the hammocks”
Emily
We were naive and thought that nursery was just somewhere you took your children for childcare, but Lullaby Lane has taught us that it is so much more. All the staff strive to be the best they can be, and not only educate themselves about early years development and attachment theory but also the parents and families too, and for this we will be forever grateful! Attachment theory was something we knew nothing about before becoming a Lullaby Lane family; and it’s now something we are able to share with our own friends and family.
Both our children – Emily and Finlay – have attended Lullaby Lane over the last 7 years, and we would have been lost without the nursery. It’s the most welcoming, friendly, homely, nurturing and loving environment and nothing is ever too much. All staff go above and beyond every day, to help the children achieve their full potential and feel settled, loved and connected to their nursery environment and them as keyworkers. Not only do they love and support the children in their care they also have the same connection to the parents and families.
“Lullaby Lane is so much fun!”
Finlay
Our time at Lullaby Lane has not always been plain sailing. As a family we didn’t qualify for childcare during the covid pandemic, but Lullaby Lane made sure to keep the connection with Finlay (and Emily) alive with weekly video messages, connection bags and zoom sessions with keyworkers and friends so when nursery finally opened up again to us, it was a smooth transition back for Finlay and he couldn’t have been happier to be back with “his Sophia” and his besties.
Lullaby Lane is definitely more than just a nursery, it’s a place that loves your child as much as you love them yourselves and becomes part of your family. Our children wouldn’t be who they are today without the friendships and relationships they made during their time there.
Through them we have made friends and connections for life and will never ever forget our time there and neither will Emily and Finlay 💖
Katie and Brian Thomson
The Pride in Pride
Why do we still need Pride?
As you may know June and July are Pride months in the UK, a celebration for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. A time for the LGBTQ+ community to be seen, understood, and respected. A time for education, reflection, action, and most of all love.
Being gay is still a crime in over 69 countries round the world, and punishable by death in many. Pride isn’t just a bit of fun or a chance to show off. Its an essential political event highlighting human rights and the struggle for legal equality for the LGBTQ+ community round the world. With the Trans community particularly being persecuted at this time by the uneducated in the media, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Why Tigers are involved?
Tigers have supported, coached, and believed in young people in Scottish communities for years. I felt it was fitting that they offered to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and wanted to be part of the Pride march in Glasgow. Many of our young people are lesbian, gay, bi and trans.
Tigers offer a safe environment for learning, offering coaching, mental health awareness and a real practical support as part of a whole person approach. Helping young people work towards achieving their full potential whoever they are and whoever they love. Our Tigers learners feel so comfortable in the inclusive environment provided, that they can finally be who they want and need to be. It can be a weight lifted from their shoulders, allowing them to just be who they want to be. No need to hide or feel shame, they can relax and know they are accepted and respected for the journey they are on.
“I was delighted to stand with David, with colleagues and friends in celebration of our diversity. Pride was an incredible event, filled with joy, love and understanding - I was proud to be there and walk alongside my friends.”
Siobhan Argyle, Education Manager, tigers
Our day of Pride
Saturday the 16th July has arrived Pride day Glasgow. Myself, and a group of colleagues, have our place in the Pride parade and are all ready to go. A mixed group of gay and straight allies. I feel so proud to have such a fantastic, supportive, loving work family ready to march along-side me. Taking on my fight and making it theirs.
With Tigers Pride t-shirts generously supplied by Tigers Group Managing Director Pauline Scott, Pride flags freshly ironed, glitter, whistles and rainbows everywhere we are off. What strikes me immediately are the many businesses and organisations like Tigers who are taking part. From supermarkets and banks to council adoption agencies and the gay rugby team. Thousands of people supporting change. Many realising that Pride isn’t just a day out of the year, but every day. Changing policies in their companies and organisations to legally protect their LGBTQ+ members and employees.
Smiles, laughter, singing, music, chants fill the air as we make our way from Glasgow Green through the streets of Glasgow City Centre towards George Square.
The streets are lined by people waving and enjoying the atmosphere, old and young, families and couples, smiling and waving, showing their support. You can feel the joy in the air, its intoxicating. 20,000 people marching for equality, for change, for reform, and love.
It makes me feel proud how far the LGBTQ+ community have come in the 50 years pride has been celebrated. I feel lucky to live in a country where my freedom to be me is legally protected.
But it also makes me realise more work is required to help the LGBTQ+ community round the world. The fight for human rights continues. I look around me and realise the fight is in good hands.
Roll on Pride 2023 the fight goes on!
Tigers Group takes on Kilt Walk
What our team will be walking
This year a number of team have decided to join the Kilt Walk in Edinburgh later this year, taking on the Mighty Stride, a total of 24 miles. We have a 30 strong team made up of members of tigers, Lullaby Lane Nursery and Paradigm Landscapes teams. In preparation for Septembers walk we have planned several training days to build up our endurance before we tackle the Kilt Walk which is expected to take 6-8 hours to complete.
Epilepsy Scotland
Our team will be walking in memory of our friend and colleague, Richard Loughran, who passed away suddenly in 2020. As a team we unanimously chose to walk in support of Epilepsy Scotland.
“In Scotland 55,000 people are affected by epilepsy. Children and older people are most at risk of developing this common serious neurological condition but anyone can develop epilepsy at any time, and eight people a day in Scotland do.
We want to make sure the needs of people with epilepsy are met. This is why we campaign for improved healthcare, better information provision and an end to stigma.”
“As a team we decided to give something back to the charity who supports those who and the families of Epilepsy sufferers in memory of our friend and colleague Richard, a beautiful soul who left us to early, as he always said “no problem””
Aisling Bent, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator
If you would like to support us to support this wonderful organisation, please visit our team’s kiltwalk page, all donations greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you for your support!
Young people invest in a programme they can bank on
Tigers, along with Royal Bank of Scotland and We Are Futures have been delighted to deliver the CareerSense Find Your Path employability programme
Celebration, cake and connection at tigers
In partnership with RBS and We Are Futures, tigers have been delighted to deliver CareerSense Find Your Path to a group of young people, offering them skills workshops, one-to-one mentoring support from a bank colleague and a paid four-week work experience placement at the bank.
On Monday, April 11th, we were excited to welcome some of our young people into tigers HQ, along with their mentors from NatWest. The morning began with a mentoring session, with the group reflecting on their time on the course, and also their work experience placement.
In the afternoon, we welcomed a selection of guests from the bank, We Are Futures and tigers, with the young people delivering presentations, but not before a spot of lunch!
“What I really learnt – tigers and NatWest are GREAT people!”
Amy Taylor, learner
Coming up one-by-one after lunch to deliver the presentations, the young people demonstrated the development of their curiosity, bravery, confidence and resilience over the past few months. Each had something different to share about their time on the course and their work placement, along with the skills they had learnt, the challenges they had faced, and how they overcame them.
Finishing off with certificates, photographs and a slice of cake, it was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the hard work our young people had put in over the last few months. Whilst we were sad to see them go for the final time, we remain excited for their future career prospects,
What’s next for CareerSense Find Your Path? We’ll be excited to share some information with you about how we’ll be able to help another group of young people explore the world of employment very soon!
We have become the proud sponsors of an Elephant Pump in Africa
Here, at tigers, we are aware that keeping our team hydrated will aid them to perform at their very best throughout the work day.
As a result, we decided to invest in watercoolers from AquAid.
Our unique relationship with AquAid has also given our company the opportunity to help those less fortunate than ourselves, because with each purchase an automatic donation is made to TheAfrica Trust.
These funds have been used to build ‘Elephant Pumps’ – a modified version of an age old Chinese rope pulley system. This pump has been installed in Africa on our behalf and it will be a much needed source of clean and fresh drinking water for many.
Tigers’ name is proudly displayed on our well and we’re delighted to have been able to support AuAid in installing this well.
To date AquAid have built over 8,000 such Elephant Pumps across parts of Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe; and have donated in excess of £18 million to charity.
Lullaby Lane supports building the future workforce of ELC
About Lullaby Lane Nurseries
Lullaby Lane has been operating since 2013, we are an attachment led nursery meeting the emotional needs of our children. We have two nurseries who are providing childcare for children 0-5 years old. We are currently working with around 150 families across Bearsden and Milngavie area. Currently we have 41 people employed with us and we are continuing to recruit to provide further opportunities for our team. We are a nursery that prioritise starting with the adults in the lives of our children as, the team must feel valued for them to provide emotional care for our children and families.
Our Commitment to Apprenticeships
At Lullaby Lane 15 of the 41 team are currently apprentices who are undertaking their SVQ level 3 or 4 in children and young people, we believe that Modern Apprenticeships provide people with the skills as well as the knowledge. All our apprentices undertake additional training opportunities that builds their confidence. Due to the nursery being attachment led the team all undertake training with Dr Suzanne Zeedyk that supports them to understand brain development and why the first 3 years in a child’s life is the most formative time the brain grows.
We are working with Tigers Early Years to create an MA model that allows them to take time out their working week to complete their qualification. We believe that Early Years is one of the most important jobs and the team must feel valued. Tigers supports us by allowing the assessor to come into the nursery and do observations to support the apprentices to be guided to how they work with the children.
“I trained with Tigers in SVQ Social Services (Children & Young People) and the best thing I’ve taken away has been learning how our bodies and brain works and focusing on secure attachment and play. My training led to a job in Early Years working at Lullaby Lane, undertaking the Modern Apprenticeship programme gave me the knowledge and skills to take this into the nursery.”
Chris Keane, Depute Manager, Lullaby Lane Nurseries
We believe that Modern Aprrenticeships are a valuable qualification that helps people to gain skills and knowledge in the career they have a passion for.
Young People Have The Answers To Our Future
Tigers host Glasgow Hackathon!
We were excited and privileged to partner with The Hope Collective, UK Youth, Youth Link Scotland and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit in hosting a Hackathon in Glasgow. The event one of a series five regional Hacks” brought together a diverse group of around 60 young people from across Scotland to discuss tough societal challenges including housing, environment and employment.
The Campaign
The Hope Collective campaign honours the memory of Damilola Taylor, a young man who, aged 10, tragically lost his life to violence in London in 2000. Shortly before his death, Damilola wrote of his hope to change the world. This series of events attempt to honour that dream by inviting young people to lead us in #ChangingTheConversation. The event dedicates the campaign to young people and their aspirational stories of ambition and hope.
We believe young people have the infinite potential to challenge the future and create a better society. This was a great event to be involved in and brought power to young people voices.
Hackathon Day
Our agenda was busy, and the excitement on the room was tangible. We started right on track with our inspirational speaker, Graeme Armstrong, author of the award-winning Scots Book of the year 2021 “The young Team”. Graeme set the tone for the day, sharing his story of hope and honesty which has led him to where he is today and to writing his bestselling book. It was a true message of hope.
After our keynote speaker, we move to our discussions with our panellists: Cain Green, Denisha Killoh, Imogen Maskell and John Loughton, where they discussed our themes of: environment, housing & employment. It was a grounded debated touching subject from inclusion & LGBTQ+, disability in sustainability, societal status and environment.
“'Our communities have been living sustainably for years, the environment is a middle-class conversation. We need to keep raising our voice, understand the system to get ahead.”
John Loughton
Hearing Young People’s Ideas!
Our young people moved to their workshops with their facilitators to work on their ideas on how they want to create change. As we brought the day to a close, our young people shared their hopes for the future with the listeners: Niven Rennie, Paul Sweeney MSP and Gary Trowsdale. This is what they had to say:
Group 1: A rap feedbacking their thoughts on Housing and equality. Housing should be affordable and accessible.
Group 2: A metaphor of knocking down the cups to explain the issues they see in our current class system and how they want to see society change to give everyone a voice.
Group 3: Focusing on environmentally friendly housing with space to grow our own food.
Group 4: Housing in locations that accommodate the environment. Sustainable housing that doesn’t take away from the environment but instead works around it.
Group 5: Those working in housing need to be trauma informed.
Group 6: The education system has failed. Young people should be doing projects and writing essays on current social issues.
groups 7/8: The motto to follow: Our future. Our voice. Our world.
Lastly, we had Molly from Manchester, singing her own song, Syndicate.
Thank you to all our young people, partners & The Hope Collective, for an aspirational day. Hope is the start of change. Let’s keep changing the conversation!
If you are looking to empower young people, and support their development, get in touch to start a partnership!
The winners at tigers second annual golf day
We recently hosted our second annual golf day
It was a day enjoyed by all as we welcomed friends and partners of tigers back to Douglas Park Golf Club in September. We hosted our first golf day in 2019 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic we had to postpone the 2020 event.
Having been two years since we took to the course it was great to see everyone’s swing was looking as good as we remembered and were able to enjoy themselves on the way round the immaculate course.
Helping Hackathon
To support this cause, we hosted a nearest the pin challenge, asking £5 entry with the winner splitting the £200 pot with the Hackathon.
The Winners
After a competitive day on the course, our guests enjoyed a lovely meal as the scores of the days stableford competition were calculated. We were delighted to be able to hand out prizes to the days winners… and losers.
- Nearest the pin (3rd hole) – Jim Morrison (TTag)
- Nearest the pin (17th hole) – George Morrison (TTag)
- Longest drive (10th hole) – Donald Turner (Veitchi)
- Most special golfer – George Morrison (TTag)
- 3rd place – Donald Turner (Veitchi)
- 2nd place – Chris Kennedy (Cosy Installs)
- 1st place – Ian McLaughlin (Veitchi)
Thank you to all our partners who joined us, and we look forward to welcoming you back again for our third annual golf day in 2022