Earn and Learn as a smart au pair! Go to www.smartaupairs.com
Certified Childcare course on-line
We have agreed to offer this course in collaboration with a partner in Australia.
This certificated childminding/aupair course aims to provide an au pair with the foundations of a more in-depth knowledge about the development and appropriate care of children. It will also introduce an au pair to the qualities and skills needed to start the
process of being a “super” aupair/childminder. We also include in the course a bonus
material pack which includes recipes and ideas for activities to help them on their way.
This course is for anyone who enjoys working with children, including casual
babysitters and for those of you are considering a career in childcare.
Your family will benefit from their increasing knowledge and confidence.
The cost of the course is kept to a minimum at £55 (+VAT) and the easy to use online booking system will be ready for use shortly.
Your au pair can complete the course in their own time. Each module has exercises to complete – these exercises do not need to be handed in.
At the end of the 10 modules, your au pair will need to complete the
final exercise of writing an essay of no more than 1500 words. This essay will need
to be submitted by email for assessment. Once assessed your au pair will receive their
certificate.
The course covers the following areas:
Module 1: Introduction to Childminding
You have chosen to investigate a course that is all about working and assisting with
young children, you therefore obviously enjoy being with children and people. You
obviously feel that you have the right qualities to be a good aupair or childminder
assisting a busy family with the care of their children. This module looks at what
qualities are considered good qualities to have when taking on the role of an aupair or
childminder.
Module 2: Birth to 12 Months
This module will introduce you to caring for an infant from birth to 12 months.
This module covers the following areas:
. Birth – 12 months
. Basic Handling
. SIDS
. Settling a newborn – why they cry
. Physical Development
. Emotional Development
. Intellectual Development
Module 3: Infant Care – Safety and Daily Needs
This module leads on from module 2, it is a more in-depth look at some safety issues
and daily needs that you will need to take into consideration when looking after
children under the age of 2 yrs old. Although this module tries to cover the most
obvious and important areas of safety, always be aware that there are many dangers
for young children. As a childminder you have a duty of care towards the children you
look after and you need to be always vigilant of possible dangers.
This module looks at
. Safety Issues specifically around newborns
. Bath time safety
. Bottle Feeding
. Nappies/Diapers
. Dressing a baby
Module 4: Becoming a Toddler 1-2 years
This module looks at the development of a child in their second year of life. This
period is often considered one of the hardest periods and often people refer to the
“terrible twos”. We hope that this module will introduce you to this period as a
wonderful time in a child’s life, where many things are experienced for the first time
with much wonderment. Children in this age group thrive on routine and will often
sail through this period when shown warmth, understanding and good structure.
This module is divided into:
. Physical Development
. Emotional Development
. Intellectual Development
Module 5: From Toddler into Pre-school Years
In this module we explore the years from 3 to 5 yrs old. These years represent the
consolidation of physical, intellectual and emotional development before entering
school. During this time, the child is developing independence in a lot of functions
and can express themselves and communicate well. Most children who may have had
developmental differences up till the age of 5, will tend to equal out in their abilities
by the time they turn 5.
This module looks at
. Physical Development
. Emotional Development
. Intellectual Development
. Activities
Module 6: School Age Children
In this module we look at children aged between 5 and 12 yrs old. There is much
change during this time as the child develops their ability to reason and respond.
Children in this age group are still not able to process emotion as an adult does and
this makes it a very challenging developmental period. Even though the child is
developing logic for use in later adult thought, they are still largely self centred during
this period. Much physical change takes place during this time and this represents the
stage where physical injuries are most prevalent. Emotionally the child is maturing
and sensitivity to this maturation is necessary.
In this module we will look at
. Physical development
. Emotional development
. Intellectual development
. Activities
Module 7: General Health and Nutrition for Children
In this module we look at basic concepts of nutrition and health relating to children’s
needs. At the end of this module, you will have a better understanding of the food
pyramid, the types of food that are suitable for children and some idea of planning a menu.
Module 8: Caring for the sick child
In this module, you will learn the basics about caring for a child who is sick. Some
details about childhood illness will be discussed. At the end of the module you will
have a better understanding of what to check for and how to plan for an emergency.
Included in this module is a form that we recommend you use when starting a position
with a family to ascertain the procedure for an emergency.
Module 9: Discipline and Limit Setting
In this module we will introduce you to ideas for discipline and limit setting with all
ages of children. It is important that you recognise that all children like to know where
they stand and they will tend to test you to check their limits. You need to be able to
stand firm but be gentle and remember, whilst you are not their parents, you are still
entitled to have children who are respectful to you. Each child is different and you
will need to get to know the child well to be really effective with your limit setting.
By the end of this module you should have a better understanding of limit setting and
some tips on dealing with some common problems.
Module 10: Self Care and Housekeeping
In this module we look at caring for yourself and some basic tips on housekeeping.
Being an aupair usually requires that you live-in with a family for a period of time
helping them with their children. Often being an aupair means that you leave your
home country or city and go to live with another family in another country or city.
Even if you are not living with the family, there are areas that are important to take
note of as a childminder.
At the end of this module you have a better understanding of the following areas:
• Time Management
• Settling in with the family and building a relationship with the children’s
mother
• Sexual Harassment
• Working conditions for live in aupairs and using the family’s telephone,
computer etc
• Driving
• Personal Reactions
• Household chores and general Safety in the home
BONUS MATERIAL:
How to make and how to use:
- Playdough
- Modelling dough
Recipes for
- Easy Macaroni and Cheese
- Yummy Vegetable Soup
Things to make together with the children such as:
- Muffins
- “pirate” drumsticks
- Cheese Spread Pizza
- Spuddy Buddies
Go to: www.smartaupairs.com


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