Training opportunities are vital to continue providing quality childcare in the future. Worcestershire County Council's Early Years and Childcare Service is committed to raising the quality of early years and childcare through equal access to training programmes at all levels.

You can also learn more about types of qualifications and training as well as career paths available.  If you are unsure about what career path you want to take, you can view our interested in working with children, young people and their families page.

Quick links: You can click on one of the 'quick links' below that will take you to the area you are looking for on this page:

• Latest news and training courses 
• Focus on September training
• Exciting new training: learn different ways to consult with children
• In-house training
• Paediatric First Aid training: list of approved training providers
• Training Programme and our Training Directory (including the new Training Update) 

Latest news and training courses

The new Training Update!

The new Training Update covering the period up to 31st March 2012 is now available. There was also a copy sent out with the April issue of Childhood Matters. Want to book your training early? Why not download your copy now?

If you would like any more information, check the latest availability or book a place on any of the courses listed, please call the Training Team on our new telephone numbers: 01905 822655 / 822656 or 822657.

Please refer to the new Training Update for terms, conditions and booking procedures.

Focus on September training

There are some great courses taking place in September and many of these have places available.

You can book your place on any of the courses shown in the table below (subject to availability). Call the Training Team now on 01905 822655, 01905 822656 or 01905 822657. Full course descriptions, booking procedures, terms and conditions can be found in the new Training Update.

Exciting new training - Learn different ways to consult with children

September will see a new course joining our standard programme. Book onto Though Our Eyes and learn about different ways to consult with children, especially through the use of child-friendly cameras. The course follows on from a successful pilot involving 20 settings, including childminders, private, voluntary, independent and maintained nurseries. During the pilot children were asked to take pictures of the best things, the things they would change and things that make them feel safe. Over 50 young children used the child friendly cameras to allow an amazing insight into their world.

Delegates on this course will have an opportunity to borrow a camera for a period of time and to feedback to other settings at a follow up training session. Through Our Eyes is taking place on 13th September 2011 (19.00-21.00) in Bromsgrove. By the end of the course delegates will be able to:

• Plan a consultation project
• Use and support the use of child-friendly cameras
• Present their findings effectively
• Reflect on possible changes in their settings.

Further course dates are available. See the table below for full details. A full course description is included in the new Training Update.

Cost: £15

In-house training

If you have a number of staff who require training, or just want a training event that is at a time and place to suit your needs, then it can often be more convenient to organise in-house training. The following courses are available in-house. Full course descriptions are available in the new Training Update.

• An Introduction to Safeguarding in Childcare
• Basic Risk Assessment
• Code of Practice
• Creativity and Critical Thinking
• Emotional Well-being including Behaviour Management
• Food Hygiene Basic Awareness
• Health and Safety Awareness
• Hygiene and Infection Control
• Introduction to Speech and Language Difficulties
• Key Person
• Making Early Learning Fun in the EYFS  (Early Years Foundation Stage)
• Moving and Handling
• Paediatric First Aid
• Planning for Children with SEN (Special Educational Needs)
• Respecting Each Other
• SENCo Behaviour Management
• Supporting Every Child

You'll need a minimum 10 candidates and course costs are only £15 per person with the exception of Paediatric First Aid. If you are looking for Paediatric First Aid training, this can be organised for a minimum number of 10-12 candidates at a course cost of £420. Up to two further candidates can be included at an additional cost of £40 each.

And if you don’t have 10 candidates at your setting, why not approach other settings or local childminders in your area to see if they would like to join you and make up the numbers. Call the Training Team on 01905 822655, 01905 822656 or 01905 822657 to find out how to organise your in-house training event and about our terms and conditions.

Paediatric First Aid training – approved list of training providers

See our approved list of training providers.

As the local authority, Worcestershire County Council has a duty to approve all Paediatric First Aid courses within the County. This is in order to meet the specific legal requirements of the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as outlined on page 26 (subheading 'illnesses and injuries', paragraph 3). The content of the courses delivered by the training providers listed have been approved as meeting the specified criteria.

Training Programme and our Training Directory

The Early Years and Childcare Service provide training and subsidise some short courses. You can download the latest Training Update, which also contains a booking form. Please refer to Training Update for all terms, conditions and booking procedures.   We also produce an Information for Providers folder which provides information on training providers and the programmes of early education, childcare and play work, available to people in Worcestershire.

Looking to further your career?

Find out how to let potential employers find you by looking at our recruitment page.

Looking for work in Childcare? Visit our Childcare Recruitment Service.

Looking for further information about career development? Visit our Qualifications and Career Paths page.

Can't find what you're looking for?

If you have any queries or cannot find what you are looking for please contact the Training Team on 01905 822655 / 822656 or 822657.

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