Nursery World readers can find information about more courses on training providers' websites, which are listed with their contact details from page 28. Some of the training providers listed operate nationally and write bespoke training packages for interested early years settings.
Birth to threes
Birth to Three Matters has provided settings with a welcome framework on which to base good practice but more staff training on caring for the very young is proving essential
Acorn Early Years Training
* Birth to Three Matters: one-day course covering what Birth to Three Matters means, and how it can be used in everyday practice.
* Activities for the under-twos: one-day course for practitioners new to working with this age group. Topics covered include play and development, evaluating equipment, treasure baskets and heuristic play.
* Activities for the under-twos Advanced: one-day course for experienced carers. Course topics similar to above.
* Activities for the under-threes: one-day course for newcomers to early years care. Course topics similar to above.
Crechendo Training
* Advanced practice in working with babies: Crechendo has been validated to run this CACHE course.
Early education training and resource centre
* Treasure baskets and heuristic play: one-day course on 22 January.
* Planning for under-threes through observation: one-day course on how to use observation in a meaningful way in planning.
* Working with the Birth to Three Framework: one-day course on 18 April, ideal for practitioners new to the framework.
* Songs and stories with children under three: one-day course on 5 February.
Hannan Consultancy
* Caring for babies: exploring the social, emotional and learning needs of babies and very young children: this three-session course integrates issues about gender, ethnicity and children with special needs.
* Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of babies and young children: provides basic information about child abuse and how to respond to concerns about a child's safety. It considers the importance of attachment and resilience, possible signs and indicators of child abuse.
* Securing positive outcomes: assessing the impact of severe parental difficulties on babies and young children.
* Positive approaches to communication and supporting language development with babies and very young children: a practical course looking at how to provide a language-rich environment using a child's everyday experiences.
The course can be run for one day or on a sessional basis.
High/Scope Ireland
* Curriculum implementation - babies and toddlers, tender care and early learning: ten-day course delivered over ten months, starting in September 2005. It will enable participants to introduce the approach gradually into their work.
Maternity and Nanny Training (MNT)
* Baby care for nannies: one-day course for nannies, maternity nurses, nursery nurses and new parents. Topics include general care, bedtime routines and sleeping, feeding, weaning, colic and reflux, interaction with siblings and minor ailments.
* Baby massage workshop: four-hour course on massage techniques.
* The maternity nanny practitioner: two-and-a-half days formal teaching, plus pre-reading and post-course assessment for experienced professionals.
A formally accredited qualification in Maternity Nursing is obtained on successful completion of the course. Course covers the care of newborns and postnatal mothers, and how to gain employment in the maternity sector. This course does not cover basics such as bathing and bottlefeeding.
* Postnatal depression: one-day course covering the condition, signs and symptoms, risk factors for PND, how to support sufferers and their families and accessing help.
* Care of multiples: one-day course covering caring for twins and multiple births, premature and other special care babies, including feeding and sleeping and establishing routines.
* Sleep training: one-day course covering normal and healthy sleep habits and sleep problems.
Montessori Centre International
* Infant toddler course: part-time course designed to develop a high level of professional competence in students wishing to extend their training as facilitators of the Montessori method for children.
National Childbirth Trust The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) provides information and practical support on all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. It has 400 branches and its training arm is NHS ConNeCT, which runs workshops around the country.
National Children's Bureau
* Working with babies: emotional, social and learning needs of babies in daycare: one-day course covering early learning, early development of self-concept and baby/adult interactions.
* Working with one- to three-year-olds: emotional, social and learning needs of one- to three-year-olds in daycare: one-day course on ways of talking and listening to very young children to meet their various needs.
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
* Planning a developmental play-based curriculum for children from birth to two: one-day course looking at children's developmental needs and how to meet these through a flexible play-based curriculum. Birth to Three Matters is an integral part of this course.
* Creating a learning environment for children from birth to two: one-day course on how to create a stimulating environment that motivates children to use selected resources to facilitate learning.
NIPPA:THE EARLY YEARS ORGANISATION
* Working with under-threes: 7.5 hour course examining the developing skills of babies and toddlers with regard to play materials.
pre-school learning alliance (PLA)
* Good practice in the provision of care and education for children between birth and three: a ten-hour course covering topics such as child development, the role of the carer in supporting babies' and children's well-being, appropriate play activities, how to help babies and young children to benefit from the social experience of group care.
* Good practice in the provision of care and education for children between birth and three: six-hour workshop for staff in supervisory roles. Topics include: understanding and responding to children, care routines and play activities that promote babies' and children's well-being.
The school of infant mental health
* Home visiting: two-day workshop held on 24-25 January. Reaching out to babies and families where they live.
SRL Training
* Birth to three: six-hour course considering the importance of early experiences on children's development.
* Heuristic play including treasure baskets - birth to three framework link: one-day course designed to help develop an understanding of the power of heuristic play. Considers heuristic play in relation to the Birth to Three framework.
* Baby practitioner: one-day course reflecting on care needs for babies.
* Social, emotional and learning needs of babies
* Social skills of birth to three years
* Story sacks for the under-threes
Training packages
Training Packages runs various courses to support the Birth to Three Matters framework.
* Introduction to the framework: how to use the framework in a setting.
* Making connections: planning and record-keeping for two- to three-year-olds and links with the Foundation Stage curriculum.
