West College Scotland was delighted to welcome Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise Natalie Don-Innes to its Paisley Campus yesterday, where she met with Childhood Practice students and spoke about the future of early years education. A former WCS student herself, the Minister highlighted the vital role of early years professionals and the national work underway to support children, families, and practitioners.
During her visit, the Minister shared insights from her work across Scotland’s childcare and early learning sectors, emphasising the importance of high-quality training, strong professional support, and accessible services for families.
Key topics discussed included:
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The national CPL portal and its role in supporting practitioner wellbeing and children’s mental health.
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Workforce challenges, including increasing support needs and staff shortages.
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Expanding access to funded Early Learning and Childcare.
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Reducing paperwork to allow practitioners more time with children.
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Encouraging greater diversity in the workforce, including more men entering the sector.
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Scotland’s five-year mission to deliver The Promise and ensure every child can thrive.
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Continued investment in mental health and wellbeing services for young people.
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Ambitions for more accessible, child-friendly community spaces.
West College Scotland is proud to support the next generation of Childhood Practice professionals and honoured to welcome the Minister back to where her journey began.
