Early Years service Celebrates Qualification Success

Published 14 October 2026

West Dunbartonshire Council's Early Years Service has celebrated 26 employees who successfully gained professional qualifications during the 2025/26 academic session at a special recognition event.

The event, the first of its kind for the service, recognised the commitment, hard work and dedication of staff who have balanced study alongside their professional roles to enhance their skills and support career progression within early learning and childcare.

The qualifications achieved included:

• Nine employees, including Principal Officers, Lead Officers and Early Learning and Childcare Officers (ELCOs), who gained a BA Childhood Practice degree
• One Lead Officer who completed a Professional Development Award (PDA) in Childhood Practice
• Three Modern Apprentices who achieved an SVQ Level 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 7
• Three Early Years Assistants and Learning Assistants who completed an SVQ Level 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 7 through the service's upskilling programme
• Ten Early Years Assistants and Learning Assistants who gained an NC Childhood Practice qualification.

The BA Childhood Practice and PDA Childhood Practice qualifications enable employees working in leadership roles to meet Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration requirements, while supporting career development and future leadership aspirations.

The three Modern Apprentices who achieved their SVQ Level 3 qualification have all progressed into permanent ELCO roles within West Dunbartonshire Council, with two now working in Early Learning and Childcare Centres and one in a primary school setting.

Meanwhile, three members of the workforce who undertook the qualification through the Council's upskilling programme have also successfully progressed and are now working as supply ELCOs across the authority.

The ten staff members who completed the NC Childhood Practice qualification continue to work across the Council's early years settings, with several already embarking on further study to become fully qualified ELCOs.

Councillor Michelle McGinty, Convener of Educational Services, said: "I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to every member of staff being recognised at this special event. Their commitment to professional learning demonstrates the passion and dedication that exists throughout our Early Years Service. Investing in our workforce is vital to ensuring children and families across West Dunbartonshire continue to receive the highest quality early learning and childcare experiences.”

Councillor John Millar, Vice Convener of Educational Services, said: "This event recognises not only the achievements of those receiving qualifications, but also the support provided by families, colleagues and mentors who have helped them succeed. It is particularly encouraging to see so many staff using these qualifications as a stepping stone to further career progression within the Council. Congratulations to every one of them on their achievement."

The event highlights West Dunbartonshire Council's continued commitment to developing a highly skilled and qualified early years workforce, creating opportunities for staff to progress while delivering excellent outcomes for children and families across the area.