Flexible Training for Family Day Care Workers

1
Flexible Training for Family Day Care Workers

• Gai Ellerington
• Christine Hitchens
• Hunter Institute TAFE NSW

2
Background

• Hunter TAFE partnership with four Family Day Care
  schemes
• Funded through Workplace English Language
  Literacy (WELL) Programme
• Family Day Care is a licensed and regulated
  childcare service
• Schemes must meet Quality Assurance requirements
  set by the Federal Government
• Childcare workers are in the skill-shortage
  category

3
The Need

• Family Day Care is a home-based childcare service
• Carers often have long working hours
• Attending training is extremely difficult
• Some carers lack confidence to undertake training
• Logistics of training can be challenging
• Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) issues can
  make it difficult to access training
• Schemes have overall difficulty retaining carers

4
The Partnership
WELL Funding
Family Day Care Scheme
Hunter Institute Access General Education
Hunter Institute Childrens Services
5
The Training
Family Day Care Scheme
Carers receive flexible training and support
in own home workplace
Coordination staff consult in training delivery
and receive training
WELL training assists in meeting quality
assurance practices
6
9 Units of Competency delivered

• Units from Certificate III in Childrens Services
• Ensure childrens health and safety
• Respond to illness, accidents and emergencies
• Participate in workplace safety procedures
• Care for children
• Interact effectively with children
• Fulfil family day care administration
  requirements
• Working effectively with families in caring for
  their child
• Identifying and responding to risk of harm
• Work within a legal and ethical framework

7
Flexibly delivered training

• With LLN support at carers home/workplace
• Gather evidence to build portfolio for
  Recognition of Prior Learning
• Self-paced learning materials developed in
  consultation with each Family Day Care scheme
• Workshop delivery of 2 units
• In-home or playsession practical assessment
• Outcomes evaluated against National Reporting
  System (NRS)

8
The Challenges

• Logistics
• Individual support
• Customisation of resources and training material
  to meet all requirements

9
Results

• Easy access
• Breaking down the barriers
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Development of communication skills
• Positive aspects for schemes quality assurance
• Compliance for carers and schemes

10
The Future

• Pilot group to complete Certificate III in
  Childrens Services
• Other TAFE support services interested in
  delivery style
• Strong interest from other Family Day Schemes