Professional Reviews (PRDs) in Early Year Settings in Scotland: A Critical Exploration of the PRD Process and Potential

Authors

  • Patricia Mills Glasgow City Council Education Services Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36399/7r1d2x93

Keywords:

early years practitioners (EYP), Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), professional review and development (PRD), professional learning

Abstract

This research study principally aims to investigate the process and potential of professional reviews (PRDs)[1] in early years settings.  This topic was an area of interest to me as a researcher, because I have been working for over 20 years in childhood practice and only received two PRDs in that time. Early years is evolving, and policy and guidance is everchanging. Siraj and Kingston (2015, p. 15) highlight it is therefore essential that practitioners maintain commitment to professional learning to effectively deliver the provision the service expects, leading to improved outcomes for children.

Staff within an early years setting were key research participants. The investigation was positioned in the interpretivist paradigm, as it explored early years practitioners’ (EYP) experiences and perceptions.  This study will interrogate whether staff require a PRD for professional learning to happen, thus exploring PRDs’ purpose. The study will also compare continuous professional development requirements, within the Glasgow context specifically, in early years, and that of the teaching profession (primary and secondary sectors).

The data collected indicated that the potential of PRDs was dependent on how the process was carried out. Themes emerged highlighting that leadership was perceived to be a main factor to the success or failure of the PRD process, and how staff professional development could ultimately impact on provision and outcomes. The implications of this research could ignite change and highlight the absence of current literature in this field of study. 

 

[1] Professional Review and Development (PRD) is an ongoing learning process supported by an annual meeting between reviewer and reviewee. For pragmatism, this paper also refers to the annual meeting as a PRD.

Author Biography

  • Patricia Mills, Glasgow City Council Education Services

    Tricia Mills is Head at Hilltop Nursery School in the south side of Glasgow. Tricia is currently responsible for a staff team of 35 early years practitioners. She has 26 years' professional experience in early years education, in Scotland, progressing through the years in job roles starting with CDO, team leader, depute and finally head of nursery. She graduated in 2017 with a BA in childhood practice then in December 2023, with an MEd in childhood practice at the University of Glasgow's School of Education. Patricia is passionate about leading in the early years sector and about driving forward change and improvements. She classes herself as a pedagogical leader who has been on her own self-improvement journey, developing from manager to leader.

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Published

28-02-2025