What is Early Years Metaverse?
Early Years Metaverse is a groundbreaking new approach to training and CPD in the early years, created by the Alliance in partnership with Metaverse Learning.
It consists of a range of immersive virtual reality learning modules’, which allow you to explore different early years scenarios within our virtual reality early years setting and family hub, Tiny Trees.
All Early Years Metaverse modules can be accessed on EYA Central, our training, resource and membership hub.
Not yet registered for EYA Central?
If you are an Alliance member, fill out this simple form to receive your registration instructions. If you’re not a member, you can still register for EYA Central for free using this registration form.
Current Early Years Metaverse scenarios
Supporting children’s smooth transitions
When we hear the term ‘transitions’ in relation to children in the early years, we often immediately think of children moving up from an early education setting to start primary school education – but young children experience many types of transition: from everyday changes in their daily routines, to changes within the family or home environment.
This scenario will help you to:
- identify examples of different types of transitions that young children may experience
- explore ways that adults can sensitively support children to develop skills to cope with changes in their lives
Supporting language and communication
Communication and language underpins children’s development across the seven areas of learning, meaning that the support they receive in their early years is crucial in giving them the best start in life – and yet currently, on average, one in every 10 children struggle with communication and language difficulties.
As early educators, we are ideally placed to give children the support they need in our practice and provision through the daily interactions we have with them.
This scenario aims to develop the skills educators need to be able to support early language and communication in a children’s early years by:
- developing opportunities for positive interactions with children
- identify verbal and non-verbal communication methods in young children
- recognising how to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with young children as appropriate to their stage of development
- demonstrating how to support and extend children’s language and communication development
Confidentiality and information-sharing responsibilities
Safe information sharing and robust approaches to data protection is a vital element of safeguarding.
All early years staff must know the circumstances under which they may share personal data with other agencies about individuals, and all settings should have processes in place to ensure that concerns around information do not stand in the way of protecting children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
This module explores some important aspects of information sharing, including what information must be shared, how it is shared and who it can be shared with. There are five scenarios within this course, each addressing a different aspect of confidentiality and information sharing.
By the end of this module, you will understand how to:
- respond to different situations in which confidentiality is paramount
- identify factors that influence information sharing protocols, including key legislation
- recognise the challenges that must be taken into consideration when sharing information about families
Maintaining good hygiene and infection control
Ensuring the health and safety of children, staff, and families should be a top priority for all early years settings. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through the implementation of robust infection control measures.
This scenario gives you the opportunity to explore the practicalities of managing infection and maintaining good hygiene in an early years setting in a virtual setting.
By the end of the module, you will be able to:
- demonstrate the skills and knowledge for the prevention and control of infection
- recognise situations where infection control must be implemented, including the management of illness and good hygiene practices
- undertake infection control processes
- identify relevant legislation and guidance for managing illness and the spread of infection
How does it work?
- At the start of each course or ‘scenario’, you will be given instructions on how to navigate through the training using your keyboard or virtual reality headset controls.
- Look out for the interaction points in each scenario. These appear as + signs on the screen. When you click on them, they will prompt the next interaction or activity to start.
- The menu at the bottom of the screen will guide you to where to go next as you move through the course.
- Throughout each module, you will be assessed on the points covered so far. After each assessment, you will be given feedback and further information support your practice and learning.
- Throughout the scenario, you will be prompted to read and download additional documents and information that not only underpins but also extends your knowledge of the scenario topic.
- At the end of a module, you will be shown your assessment results that they can then download or print. After completing the course, you will be able to access your course certificate through your EYA Central account.
Free access to Early Years Metaverse is available exclusively to Alliance members
Not a member? Find out more about the benefits of joining.
Further support
Watch our handy video explaining how to navigate around the Tiny Trees environment using your computer or laptop