Childminder Training

This page is intended to give you, the Childminder, an overview of training available for Childminders.

Training numbered 1 to 4 is a requirement of the self evaluation for childminders from the National Guidelines for Childminders and we encourage all Childminders to attend this training.

Other courses listed are of benefit to you working with the pre school children in your Childminding service. These training courses are planned for evenings or weekends to facilitate Childminders. Some of these courses may be subsidised, which keeps costs to a minimum, check with your local Childminder Advisory Officer.

Download our Training Application Form

1. Quality Awareness Programme/Childminding in the Home Course

This course is an introduction to childminding for potential childminders or established childminders working in their own home. It gives an insight into the requirements for a childminding service and includes the criteria laid out in the National Guidelines for Childminders. Topics covered are;

Duration: 10 hours
Accreditation: Certificate of Attendance

2. Basic First Aid Course with Paediatric CPR training

This course is essential for all childminders caring for children in their own home. The National Guidelines for Childminders recommend childminders hold a current first aid certificate. which should be updated every two years.

Duration: 6 nights x 3 hours / 2 days
Accreditation: National Accrediting Body

3. Child Protection Training

This course provides the participant with an overview of ‘Children First’ the National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children and increases participants’ awareness of child protection and highlights the importance of their role in caring for and protecting children in their care. Everyone in contact with children has a responsibility to put children’s welfare first.

Duration: 4 nights x 2.5 hour sessions
Accreditation: Certificate of Attendance

4. Fire Training

Fire training is recommended for Childminders as it is essential that childminders have training in evacuation of children in the event of a fire in the Childminding service.

Duration: 1 evening x 3 hours
Accreditation: Certificate of Attendance

5. CPR for Family and Friends Programme

The CPR ( Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) for family and friends programme aims to provide participants with a basic orientation to CPR and relief of choking in adults, children and infants. Participants receive the CPR for family and friends booklet and wallet reminders.

Duration: 1 evening x 3 hours

6. Food Hygiene

The Environmental Health Department of the Health Service Executive provide the course the Environmental Health Officers’ Association Primary Course. This 8 hour course includes video presentations.
The course covers a broad range of subjects,

These subjects are geared towards enabling food workers to see and understand where problems could arise in the preparation, handling, storage or service of food.

Duration: 8 hours
Accreditation: The Environmental Health Officers Organisation

7. Manual Handling Awareness programme

The manual handling awareness programme is recommended for workplace practice and is in line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General applications) Regulations 1193 (S.I NO.44 of 1993). The aim of the manual handling awareness programme is that the participants will

Duration: 1 evening x 3 hours
Accreditation: Certificate of attendance

8. Lámh training (Module 1) - Communication Augmentation Sign System LTD

Lámh is a hand sign system designed for people with intellectual disabilities and communication needs. The signs are used to augment/extend speech/language/general communication or become a primary method of communication if speech does not develop.

Research shows that appropriate use of such systems accompanied by speech improves communication skills in general and in many cases facilitates the development of spoken language. This programme will teach you 100 Lámh signs and help you develop a Lámh signing environment within your childminding service.

Duration: 4 evening sessions x 2.5 hours

9. Pre School Menu Resource Planning

This workshop aims to provide a practical guide for Pre School Providers to implement the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-School Services. It will provide information on balanced, nutritious meal ideas that will satisfy a growing child.

Duration: 1 evening session x 2.5 hours
Accreditation: None

10. Communicating with the Pre School Child

This is a specialised training seminar for Childminders in interpersonal skills and communication development.

Duration: One day only
Accreditation: Certificate of Attendance

11. Start Your Own Business Course

This course covers:

Duration: 10 evenings x 2 hours
Accreditation: County Enterprise Board Certificate of Attendance

12. FETAC Level 5 Childcare

(Accreditation in Childcare requires the participants to complete 8 modules).
This can be done on a full time or part time basis and is available through your County Childcare Committee and/or local VEC.

Vocational modules (5)

4 Core Modules

2 Mandatory Modules

2 Elective Modules

(Participants should choose two modules from below)

An appropriate module developed/approved by FETAC.

Special Requirements

Candidates must complete a minimum of four weeks work experience with Children.

For more information, contact your local County Childcare Committee or visit www.fetac.ie

Download our Training Application Form

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