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Play in staffed provision: the Scottish experience

Research briefing which is based on an online survey of 20 questions. The survey was administered in November and December 2011. Initially, childcare providers in Glasgow, East Ayrshire, West Lothian and the Shetland Isles were invited to participate, using a contact list provided by the Care Commission. Youth Scotland and the Scouts promoted awareness of the research through their ezines. Similarly, the Smartplay Network brought the research to the attention of toy library contacts.

A right and an entitlement: legislating for change in early learning and childcare

Survey of local authorities to explore their expectations and aspirations for what the legislation might deliver for early childhood education and care in Scotland. Views are presented in the context of the current debate about the importance of investing in provision for young children and their families. The survey suggests those responsible for providing and commissioning these services in local authorities strongly favour introducing a legal entitlement to integrated early childhood education and care and school age childcare.

Simple things, done well: making practical progress on digital engagement and inclusion

There is a growing body of understanding about how technology can be used to support job seekers: providing responsive pathways that help establish (and extend) the job seeker’s connections; supporting the development of new skills; providing access to new markets and new forms of employment, and of course searching for, and applying for jobs more easily.

Incentivising knowledge exchange: a comparison of vision, strategies, policy and practice in English and Scottish Higher Education

Final report of the SRHE Annual Research Award 2011/12. It considers the ‘incentivisation’ and ‘institutionalisation’ of knowledge exchange activities within the higher education policy in the UK.

It is an exploratory piece based on comparing the policy, strategies and funding incentives in the English and Scottish higher education sectors.