Babies and young children need support as they begin a journey of self-discovery from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person. The beginnings of autonomy can be seen in the relationships which exist as babies and young children play and explore alongside a close, attentive, warm and sensitive adult' - Birth to Three Matters framework, 2002
Acorn Early Years Training
* Park View, 34 Copperfields, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 4AN * 0870 041 6240 * info@earlyyearstraining.co.ukwww.earlyyearstraining.co.uk
Northern Ireland
* Whiterock Training Centre, 91 Whiterock Road, Belfast BT12 7PG * 0870 041 6244 * ni@earlyyearstraining.co.uk
Acorn Early Years Training is the specialist early years division of CJ Associates. It runs one-day courses that can be tailor-made for organisations on:
* Birth to Three Matters: this course is designed for all early years practitioners working with the under-threes to help them understand and use the new framework. Topics include what Birth to Three Matters is all about, what it means, and how it can be used in everyday practice.
* Activities for the under-twos: this course for people relatively new to early years care covers activities to stimulate young children's senses and development. Topics include: what are suitable activities? aiding motor control, what is play? evaluating and choosing equipment, treasure baskets and heuristic play, and physical, sensory and language development.
* Activities for the under-threes for the experienced practitioner: this one-day course provides information and understanding for carers with extensive experience of working with children under the age of three.
Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE)
* 8 Chequer Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3XZ * 01727 847636 * info@cache.org.ukwww.cache.org.uk
The Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE) has courses with units that can be taken separately, including:
* Supporting the care and development of babies in partnership with their parents (in NVQ Level 4).
* Advanced practice in working with babies (in the Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People).
Crechendo Training
* 1 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE * 020 8772 8160 * training@crechendo.comwww.crechendo.com
Crechendo Training runs a course in London on:
* Advanced practice in working with babies: this 60-hour CACHE advanced practice course covers topics including an in-depth knowledge of the principles of practice in the development of babies, understanding attachment theory and how babies learn; the importance of care routines in ensuring the safety of babies in your care; how to recognise conditions affecting children under the age of 12 months; and First Aid for babies.
Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths
* Artillery House, 11-19 Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RT * 020 7222 8001 * fsid@sids.org.ukwww.sids.org.uk/fsid The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths is one of the UK's leading baby charities working to prevent infant deaths and promote baby health. It carries out its aims by funding research, supporting bereaved families and promoting information on how to reduce the risk of cot death to health professionals and the public. FSID is based in London and also has eight regional co-ordinators working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Regional meetings and conferences are arranged around the regions so parents and professionals have an opportunity to meet. Some of the branches hold regional conferences covering the latest research on cot death and provide information and support, others will be involved with conferences with a specific focus such as the 'Holding the Baby' conferences for nursery nurses and carers.
Hannan Consultancy * 0771 713 1191 * info@hannanconsultancy.co.ukwww.hannanconsultancy.co.uk
The Hannan Consultancy provides support for professional development and training, offering a child-centred inclusive approach that incorporates up-to-date research, theory and practice developments. Programmes can be tailored to meet individual organisations' needs and include:
* Caring for babies: Exploring the social, emotional and learning needs of babies and very young children: session one reviews how babies and very young children learn, including key messages from Dr Sally Ward's Baby Talk Programme. Session two considers learning through close relationships and communication, and session three explores quality care and planning for babies.
* Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of babies and young children.
* Securing positive outcomes: Assessing the impact of severe parental difficulties on babies and young children.
High/Scope Institute
* Copperfield House, 192 Maple Road, London SE20 8HT * 020 8676 0220 * highscope@btconnect.comwww.high-scope.org.uk
The High/Scope Institute runs a course on:
* Introduction for practitioners working with under-threes: this two-day course covers an overview of the curriculum and focuses on active learning, room arrangement, daily routine, key experiences, working as a team, and the adult/child relationship.
High/Scope Ireland
* NIPPA, 6c Wildflower Way, Apollo Road, Belfast BT12 6TA * 028 9066 2825 * highscope@nippa.orgwww.nippa.org
Dublin office * 00 353 1492 3711 High/Scope Ireland runs a course on:
* Curriculum implementation - Babies and toddlers, tender care and early learning: the course consists of ten full days of training delivered over about ten months to enable participants to introduce the approach gradually into their work setting.
Maud Giles * 07939 820651 Maud Giles is a lactation and newborn consultant who holds monthly workshops in London on:
* Breastfeeding and coping with common problems such as colic and reflux: these workshops for maternity nannies will teach them how to help mothers to breastfeed successfully and deal with common problems new mothers may experience.
Maternity and Nanny Training (MNT)
* 54 Saffron Close, Chineham, Hampshire RG24 8XQ * 0870 2202657 * info@mynannynetwork.co.ukwww.mynannynetwork.co.uk
Maternity Nanny Training (MNT) is running courses at the University of Reading on:
* Baby massage: on 3 July and 18 September. This four-hour course is particularly popular with parents, grandparents, nannies and maternity nurses. It covers the benefits of baby massage to carer and baby, preparation for massage, contra-indications, massage mediums such as oils, baby massage techniques, aftercare, massage for older babies, and further training in baby massage.
* Baby care for nannies: on 24 July and 20 November. This one-day course is for nannies, maternity nurses/nannies, nursery nurses and even new parents.
Topics covered include the general care of a baby, bedtime routines and sleeping, mealtimes and feeding, weaning, colic and reflux, interaction with siblings, establishing routines, and minor ailments.
* The maternity nanny practitioner: from 5 to 7 August, 30 September to 2 October, and 2 to 4 December. This three-day course is for experienced nannies, midwives and nurses wishing to work in maternity positions, and for experienced maternity nannies and maternity nurses wanting to update their skills and gain formally assessed and accredited training. It covers the care of newborns and postnatal mothers, breastfeeding and how to gain employment in the maternity sector. Note that this course does not cover basics such as bathing, bottlefeeding and changing babies. For this kind of training, do MNT's new baby care for nannies course on 24 July or 20 November instead.
* Care of multiples: on 5 November. This day course covers caring for twins and multiple births, premature and other special care babies, including feeding and sleeping twins/multiples, establishing routines, and practical issues and support. This is a very popular course with maternity nurses wanting to care for twins or triplets and nursery nurses in special care baby units or nurseries.
* Postnatal depression: on 6 November. This one-day course is for anyone affected by PND (themselves or family members), or those who regularly come into contact with postnatal mothers, such as nannies, maternity nurses, health visitors, nursery nurses and mental health professionals. It covers the condition itself, signs and symptoms, risk factors for PND, and how to support sufferers and their families and accessing help.
Montessori Centre International
* 18 Balderton Street, London W1K 6TG * 020 7493 0165 * mci@montessori.ac.ukwww.montessori.ac.uk
Montessori Centre International runs courses, including:
* Infant toddler course: this is a full- or part-time course. It is designed to develop a high level of professional competence in students wishing to extend their training as facilitators of the Montessori method for children from birth to the age of three. The overview of important educational philosophies provided by the course, together with a detailed study of the Montessori philosophy and approach, enables students to construct a coherent set of educational values.
* Infant toddler distance learning course: this is designed to develop a high level of professional understanding in students wishing to extend their training as facilitators of the Montessori method for children from birth to three. This certificate covers the theory element of the Montessori approach. It also provides an overview of the fundamental issues relating to infants from birth to three and focuses on management of early years settings.
National Childbirth Trust
* Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, Acton, London W3 6NH * 0870 444 8707 * www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
NHS-ConNeCT * 020 8993 3441 * connect@national-childbirth-trust.co.uk
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is Europe's largest childbirth and parenting charity. It provides information and practical support on all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood and campaigns for improvements in maternity services in the UK. With 40,000 members in 400 branches, the charity helps 300,000 parents each year through its antenatal classes and its postnatal and breastfeeding support network. The NCT's professional and training arm is NHS-ConNeCT, which runs workshops around the country on a delegate basis, which can be either in-house or hosted.
Its tutors have been training and supporting health professionals for a number of years. NHS ConNeCT offers an integrated service with a central enquiry point for all health professionals.
National Children's Bureau
* Early Childhood Unit, 8 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7QE * 020 7843 6064 * training@ncb.org.ukwww.ncb.org.uk
The Early Childhood Unit of the National Children's Bureau runs courses on:
* Working with babies: emotional, social and learning needs of babies in daycare: this one-day course covers the early development of self-concept, baby/adult interactions and very early learning. It also emphasises the importance of working closely with families and gives participants an opportunity to identify and start planning to extend their own good practice.
* Working with one- to three-year-olds in daycare: this one-day course covers areas including ways of talking and listening with very young children that meet their emotional, social and learning needs; strategies for extending opportunities for exploration and play to meet learning needs; and issues and strategies relating to children's tantrums and their need for security.
* Language development and communication skills: this one-day course looks at how children learn to communicate through language. It offers practical suggestions for encouraging young children's language acquisition in early years settings.
National Day Nurseries Association
* Oak House, Woodvale Road, Brighouse, West Yorkshire HD6 4AB * 0870 774 4244 * info@ndna.org.ukwww.ndna.org.uk
The National Day Nurseries Association believes good-quality childcare can only be delivered through a workforce that is well-qualified, highly-valued and appropriately trained. Its three-strand training programme aims to equip childcarers with the skills and attributes needed and provide supporting knowledge for those undertaking NDNA's Quality Counts accreditation scheme.
The NDNA runs one-day courses on:
* Planning a developmental play-based curriculum for children from birth to two: the course includes a session on development and the needs of children from birth to two. It also includes some ideas on meeting those needs through a very flexible play-based curriculum. Note that the Sure Start Birth to Three Matters framework is an integral part of this course.
* Creating a learning environment for children from birth to two: this course will tell carers how to create an environment for children from birth to two that is exciting and stimulating and which motivates children to use carefully selected resources to facilitate learning.
Pre-School Learning Alliance
* 69 Kings Cross Road, London WC1X 9LL * 020 7833 0991 * pla@pre-school.org.ukwww.pre-school.org.uk
The Pre-School Learning Alliance runs a course on:
* Play for under-threes: this course provides training for early years staff wanting to extend their provision to include younger children. It offers an understanding of how to create a supportive learning environment for children in a pre-school setting.
Riverside Early Excellence Centre
* Minton Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE29 6DQ * 0191 200 5501 * maureen.scott@northtyneside.gov.uk
The Riverside Early Excellence Centre is running courses on:
* CHOMP 2: weaning on 22 June. This half-day course will give an overview of the principles and practices of weaning. Participants will be able to state when weaning should begin, select and prepare weaning foods for the three key stages of weaning, list advantages and disadvantages of bought weaning foods, and select appropriate weaning foods from a nursery menu.
* Treasure baskets and heuristic play for under-threes on 30 September.
This half-day course aims to define the special needs of children under the age of two in daycare, with particular reference to treasure baskets and heuristic play. Topics include: an overview of the latest research on this age group; reviewing current practice; planning changes in practice and routines; and gaining information that supports and provides motivation for change.
School of Infant Mental Health
* 27 Frognal, London NW3 6AR * 020 7467 8453 * SIMH2000@aol.comwww.infantmentalhealth.com
The School of Infant Mental Health offers training opportunities for professionals working with under-fives and their families. It will be running workshops this autumn on:
* Baby brains.
* Attachment, separation and loss.
* Effective home visits.
* Violence and babies: reducing the risks.
* Premature baby.
* Signs of autism in the first year of life.
* Attention Deficit Disorder: early diagnosis.
* Meaning of movement in infant development.
* Knowing and managing the child's temperament.
* Special needs: what you need to know.
* Early loss and attachment: separation and loss in fostering and adoption.
* Early trauma.
* Depression in infancy.
* Early feeding difficulties.
* Normal and troubled pregnancy.
* Adolescent parents and parents at risk.
The school also offers career training, primary care and specialised psychotherapeutic skills. Courses include:
* Foundation course: this 16-hour course introduces infant mental health and parent-infant psychotherapy. It gives an overview of theories on the development of emotions in children and parents and can be taken on its own or as a basis for entry into diploma courses.
* Diploma in infant mental health: this course includes the following options: infant observation (two years), where participants undertake weekly observations of a baby to learn about the development of emotions; clinical seminars (two years), which provide a consistent experience with infants and their parents or professionals working with under-fives in a variety of settings; infant research (30 hours), which examines aspects of foetal life, the world of the senses, communication, temperament, individuality and attachment, and the parents' mental state; and infant psychiatry (30 hours), which covers diagnostic classifications and explores early temperament and disorders in infancy.
* Clinical diploma in parent-infant psychotherapy: this course includes reading and clinical seminars to help practitioners develop clinical skills in treating parents and infants in distress.
Scottish Independent Nurseries Association (SINA)
* Hyde Park Business Centre, 60 Mollinsburn Street, Springburn, Glasgow G21 4SF * 0141 557 3040 * admin@sinascotland.comwww.sinascotland.com
The Scottish Independent Nurseries Association runs a number of courses relating to working with under-threes, including:
* Baby day: this day course covers three specific topics: baby massage, baby play and baby gym. Baby massage is an ancient technique from India that is now being used in the Western world and helps to increase bonding as well as relaxing both the baby and carer. This training session is an overview of baby massage and its proven benefits, while the baby play workshop highlights the principles of working with younger children. It explores these principles through discussion, experimentation with a wide variety of resources especially developed for working with babies and toddlers, and developing a deeper appreciation of the skills of babies and toddlers. The baby gym workshop covers a range of resources designed to promote physical activity with children aged eight months to three years.
As well as worker-based resources, the training offers resources and ideas nurseries can provide to allow parents to practise and develop skills from the nursery programme within the home environment.
SRL Training
* Cross Cottage, The Cross, Grange Road, Ellesmere SY12 9DN * 01691 624077 * srltraining@aol.comwww.srltraining.co.uk
SRL training runs a number of courses for early years professionals working with children under the age of three. They are:
* Baby practitioner: the aims of this course include reflecting on the care needs of babies, considering ways to support early learning experiences using the Birth to Three Matters framework, exploring ways to work with parents to ensure the needs of babies in the setting are met and developing reflective practice.
* Birth to three: this course will consider the importance of early experiences on children's development, to recognise the complex challenges and demands of caring and educating children from birth to three in early years settings, and to explore ways to develop and reflect on practice using the Birth to Three Matters framework.
* Heuristic play and treasure baskets: this course will help delegates to develop an understanding of the power of heuristic play and to consider heuristic play in relation to the Birth to Three Matters framework.
Delegates will be involved in discussions of relevant issues to extend understanding of the theories of play and specifically heuristic play, practical workshop activities including handling heuristic play materials, and whole and small group activities to consider the role of the adult in heuristic play.
* Social, emotional and learning needs of babies: this course will reflect on the social, emotional and cognitive development of babies in the first year. It will also consider how to meet their social, emotional and learning needs in early years settings using the Birth to Three Matters framework and explore ways of working with parents to ensure the needs of babies are met in the setting.
* Social skills of children aged birth to three: this course will reflect on the social development of very young children and consider their social development in relation to all aspects of development. It will also explore ways of supporting the development of social skills with children from birth to three years in early years settings using the Birth to Three Matters framework.
* Story sacks for under-threes: this course will consider the role of story sacks in early literacy, explore how to use story sacks to support early learning, and look at how to encourage families and parents to share books with babies and young children.
Tinies Childcare
* Unit 14, Block A, Elysium Gate, 126-128 New King's Road, London SW6 4LZ * 020 7384 0322 * aince@tinieschildcare.co.ukwww.tinies.co.uk
Tinies Childcare runs courses on:
* Maternity practitioner on 14 August. This course is suitable for experienced carers wishing to progress into maternity nannying who have previously had experience of newborn babies or nannies who wish to gain some skills with newborns.
* Baby massage on 15 August. This two-hour practical workshop is suitable for carers and parents. Participants will be taught general massage techniques for soothing childhood ailments and assisting carers to be able to bond and relax with babies.
