2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

Flexible Training for Family Day Care Workers

Gai Ellerington

Christine Hitchens

Hunter Institute TAFE NSW

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

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

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

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

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

The Partnership

WELL FundingFamily Day Care

Scheme

Hunter InstituteAccess & General

Education

Hunter InstituteChildren’s Services

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

The Training

Family Day Care Scheme

Carers receive flexible training and support in

own home workplace

Coordination staff consult in training

delivery andreceive training

WELL training assists in meeting quality assurance practices

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

9 Units of Competency delivered

Units from Certificate III in Children’s Services• Ensure children’s 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

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

Flexibly delivered training

• With LLN support at carer’s 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)

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

The Challenges

• Logistics• Individual support• Customisation of resources and training material to

meet all requirements

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

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

2007 TAFE NSW TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

The Future

• Pilot group to complete Certificate III in Children’s Services

• Other TAFE support services interested in delivery style

• Strong interest from other Family Day Schemes