CAIRDE
Childminding
SERVICE
Go to content

My Qualifications

Commitment to Training

I strongly believe in the importance of training for childminders and other childcare workers.


Research shows that the quality of the training of children's minders is the major factor determining the quality of the childcare service.

I am always on the lookout for new training possibilities and do training every year.

I attended the following childcare conferences:

  • ifdco International Childminding Conference in Cork in July 2009


  • OMEP conference in Cork in April 2011


  • Joint WCC, WCCC, Kilkenny, and Wexford Childcare Committees Outdoor Play conference in Waterford on 19/06/2010


  • ACP conference in Waterford on 13/10/2012


  • ACP conference in Cork on 07/06/2014


  • 2nd Annual Innovative Child Therapy Symposium 08/02/2021 - 12/02/2021

General

Official House Visit of Waterford County Childminding Advisory Officer 06/12/2005, 15/10/2008, and 14/07/2010


Member of Childminding Ireland 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Last Voluntary Notified the Waterford County Childcare Committee about my Childminding Service on 01/10/2011

Site visit from High Scope advisor 14/07/2010.

Site visit from WCCC Síolta advisor 10/03/2011.

Site visit from Childminding Ireland Síolta advisor 10/2014.

Mother of three children born 1993, 1995, and 1998.


Parent Effectiveness Trainer (Gordon Training) - This is an excellent child-centred parenting programme!

I have full High Scope implementation since July 2010. High Scope is all about Child Development through Active Learning Experience. Another excellent child centred approach!

Full license - no points!

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this section:

  • The former Waterford County and City Childcare Committees are now almalgamated into the Waterford Childcare Committee Ltd.                              

  • CCCW = Waterford Childcare Committee Ltd.

     www.cccw.ie

  • WCCC = Waterford County Childcare Committee

  • WCC = Waterford City Childcare Committee

    NCNA = National Childcare Nurseries Association -> now included in Early Childhood Ireland
     www.earlychildhoodireland.ie

  • HSE = Health & Safety Authority

     www.hse.ie

  • ifdco = International Family Day Care Organisation

     www.ifdco.com

  • ACP = Association of Childcare Professionals

  • BPS = British Psychological Society
     https://www.bps.org.uk (I'm a member.)
  • isc - Istituto di Scienze Cognitive (Professional Training in Psychology and Psychotherapy)

Play Therapy
Munster Technological University (MTU) - MA in Play Therapy

I am studying for an MA in Play Therapy at Munster Technological University. This is a three year part time course.
After two years one is qualified to work as a play therapist, the third year is to write a thesis.

Semester 1 completed:
  • Play Therapy Theory and Observation
  • Play Therapy Practice

Semester 2 completed:
  • Play Therapy Practice
  • Play Therapy Theory

Semester 3 completed:
  • Advanced Play Therapy Practice
  • Family Contexts in Play Therapy
  • Interpersonal Neurobiology

Semester 4: (ongoing)
  • Advanced Play Therapy Practice
  • Play Therapy Processes
  • Sand and Art Therapy

Semester 5:
  • Play Therapy Research Methods

Semester 6:
  • Play Therapy Research Thesis
QQI Level 6 Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate

Children's Therapy Centre (CTC) - Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate (QQI Level 6)

I have completed the theoretical parts of a QQI (former FETAC) Level 6 Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate


These were the advised course dates: 22/02/2020 (eve), 07/03/2020, 04/04/2020, 05/04/2020, 21/04/2020 (eve), 09/05/2020, 10/05/2020, 23/05/2020, 09/06/2020 (eve)
All the dates marked "eve" were 2 1/2 hours, the others were full day.


Note: Due to government restrictions some of the course dates changed. I attended on 22/02/20, 07/03/20, 12/10/20, 13/10/20, 23/10/20 and 24/10/20.


The practical parts of the course are pending until the lifting of restrictions.

Outdoor Play Therapy
Child Therapy Centre - Certificate in Nature based play therapy

This course is only open to play therapists or play therapy students.
I attended on 09/02/22, 23/02/22, 09/03/22, 23/03/22, 06/04/22, and 20/04/22.
Child Mental Health
  • CMI - Webinar Supporting Anxious Children 11/04/2022

  • WCCC - Building Connections (Attachment Webinar given by Joanna Fortune) 05/04/2022

  • isc - Polyvagal Theory for children: practical application to build safety, create attachment, and develop connection (facilitated by Dafna Lender, LCSW) Webinar attended on 22/10/2021 + 23/10/2021
Mindfulness
Louise Shanagher - Introduction to Creative Mindfulness for Kids online course - passed on 24/02/2021

Trauma Informed Practice in Early Years Setting

Barnardos - Trauma Awarenes 07/04/2022


Barnardos - Webinar: Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice in an Early Years Setting 17/10/2020

QQI Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care & Education

I have completed a QQI (former FETAC) Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care & Education.


The modules I did for this were as follows:

  • QQI Level 5 Child Development 5N1764 09/2014 to 06/2015 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 5 Early Care & Education Practice 5N1770 09/2014 to 12/2014 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 5 Early Childhood Education & Play 5N1773 01/2015 to 06/2015 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 5 Child Health & Well-Being 5N1765 09/2015 to 12/2015 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 5 Occupational First Aid 2015 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 5 Work Experience 5N1356 09/2015 to 06/2016 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 5 Communications 5N0690 09/2016 to 06/2016 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 5 Special Needs Assisting 5N1709 01/2016 to 06/2016 - passed with distinction!


  • QQI Level 4 Customer Service 4N1989 06/2016 - passed with distinction!


Síolta (National Quality Framework for Early Childcare)
  • Attending Síolta Peer Support Network Meetings - implementing Síolta into my childminding service.


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 15 - Legislation & Regulation 28/03/2012


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 16 - Community Involvement 07/03/2012


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 12 - Communication 07/03/2012


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 10 - Organisation 08/02/2012


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 1 - The Rights of the Child 25/01/2012


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 4 - Consultation 1/6/11


  • WCCC + Childminding Ireland Síolta Standard 4 - Consultation, 1 June 2011


  • WCCC + Childminding Ireland Síolta Standard 14 - Identity and Belonging Workshop & Peer Support Networking 6 April 2011


  • WCCC + Childminding Ireland Síolta Standard 11 - Professional Practice 17 November 2010


  • WCCC + Childminding Ireland Síolta Standard 14 - Identity and Belonging, 2 March 2011


  • WCCC + Childminding Ireland Síolta Standard 11 - Professional Practice, 17 November 2010


  • WCCC Síolta for Childminders, 23/06/2010


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 6 - Play


  • WCCC Síolta Standard 5 - Interactions


Aistear (National Quality Framework for Early Childcare)

Of course Aistear is an ongoing theme in all the childcare related courses for the QQI Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Education & Care.


Moreover, I have done the following Aistear training sessions:

  • CCCW - Diversity & Equality Workshop 28/04/2014


  • CCCW - Aistear Theme Well-Being 07/10/2015


  • CCCW - Aistear Theme Identity and Belonging 21/01/2015


  • WCCC - Aistear in Action 21/10/2013


  • WCCC (joint) - I attended an Aistear seminar at the Outdoor Play conference in Waterford on 19/06/2010


High Scope
  • High Scope Workshop   18/04/2012


  • High Scope Info Session - 15/06/2011


  • I have fully implemented High Scope into my childminding service - the High Scope approach is fully compatible with the Síolta requirements


  • Site visit by High Scope inspector on 14/07/2010


  • Full High Scope course (being introduced at Fetac Level 6), dates: 20/01/10, 03/02/10, 24/02/10, 24/03/10, 14/04/10, 05/05/10, 26/05/10, and 16/06/10


  • WCCC High Scope Information Workshop, attended on 01/03/2008


  • WCCC Play Day - Drama For Fun 2006, attended on 21/10/2006


  • WCCC Play Day - Be Creative 2006, attended on 08/04/2006


Psychology

Honours Degree in Psychology (Corresponds to QQI/FETAC Level 8)


For this degree I did one semester each of the following courses
(among others):

  • Child Development


  • Foundations of Psychology


  • Cognitive Psychology


  • Social Psychology


  • Biology, Brain and Behaviour


I am a former member of the Psychological Society of Ireland


First Aid
  • First Aid Responder Recertification Course 12/02/2021 + 19/02/2021


  • First Aid Responder Recertification Course 14/02/2019 + 21/02/2019


  • Paediatric First Aid Course 23/06/2018


  • Occupational First Aid Recertification Course 25/02/2017


  • Paediatric First Aid Course 01/10/2016


  • Occupational First Aid Recertification Course 28/02/2015


  • Paediatric First Aid Course 26/04/2014


  • Occupational First Aid Recertification Course 02/03/2013


  • Occupational First Aid Revision Course 12/03/2011 passed


  • First Aid Refresher with Waterford City Childcare Committee 16/10/10


  • HSE Occupational First Aid Refresher, Fetac Level 5, 07/11/2009


  • HSE Occupational First Aid, Fetac Level 5, passed with Distinction on 04/10/2008


  • NCNA & Interactive Life Support Training First Aid for Child and Infant with Irish Heart Foundation "Heartsaver" Paediatric CPR Course Approved by the National Ambulance Training Board, completed on 21/09/2008


  • HSE Approved Occupational First Aid Course, passed on 19/11/2005


Child Protection
  • Túsla Child Protection and Welfare Training 19/01/2021

  • Barnardos Designated Liaison Person Training 14/07/2020 + 15/07/2020


  • Child Protection 26/01/2019


  • Meitheal Briefing 23/02/2016


  • Túsla Child Protection and Welfare Training 14/07/2014


  • Children First 2012 Cascade Briefing 16/02/2012


  • WCCC Protecting Children - 22/10/2011


  • WCCC Children First Child Protection Awareness Workshop attended on 15/04/2010 + 22/04/2010


  • Irish Sports Council Child Protection in Sport Awareness Workshop, participated on 29/11/2007


Parent Effectiveness Training - P.E.T
  • The Parent Effectiveness Training course is entirely about dealing with challenging behaviour. The basic course is 10 weeks (3 hours per session).


  • On top of this basic course I did the trainer course and qualified as a Parent Effectiveness trainer to deliver the 30 hour course in 1996.


Special Needs
  • Waterford & Wexford ETB QQI Level 5 module Special Needs Assisting 5N1709 01/2016 to 05/2016

  • WCCC Autism Spectrum Disorder Workshop 18/10/2012

Nutrition
  • HSE & WCCC Nutrition Workshop 02/05/2012


  • HSE & WCCC Healthy Eating for the Pre-School Years, completed on 04 + 11/10/2006


  • I have also done a lot of private study into nutrition, e.g. by extensive reading on the subject.


Food Safety
  • COVID-19 for Food Workers course, completed on 17/09/20

  • Primary Cert in Food Safety EHAI Course, 08/09/20, 09/09/20, 10/09/20, 11/09/20 passed with distinction

  • Environmental Health Officers' Association Primary Course in the principles and practices of Food Safety, passed with Distinction on 11/10/2007


  • NCNA & Epas Consulting Basic Food Handlers Course, successfully completed on 20/04/2007


Managing Challenging Behaviour
  • Managing Challenging Behaviour is also a large part of the High Scope certificate course, January to June 2010


  • WCCC Managing Challenging Behaviour 2006, completed on 13/03/2006


  • I have been a fully qualified Parent Effectiveness Trainer since 1996, as described under Parent Effectiveness Training. This training deals exclusively with challenging behaviour.


Children in the Digital Age
  • OU - Children in the Digital Age 08/06/2015 - 28/06/2015


Professional Childminder
  • BPS - Expert Witnessesses Conference 2021 attended online

  • ECI - International Child in Mind Programme completed 12/2017

  • OU Childhood in the Digital Age 06/2015 to 07/2015 - 12 hour course


  • ACP annual conference in Cork (Little Island) 07/06/2014


  • Documenting the Curriculum 30/01/2013, 13/02/2013, 27/02/2013


  • ACP conference in Waterford on 13/10/2012


  • OMEP conference in Cork in April 2011


  • Joint Waterford City, Waterford County, Kilkenny, and Wexford Childcare Committees Outdoor Play conference in Waterford on 19/06/2010


  • WCCC Reflecting on the Professional Development of the Childcare Practitioner on 12/11/09


  • ifdco International Childminding Conference in Cork in July 2009


  • WCCC Professional Development Childminding Seminar 2006, attended on 01/04/2006


  • WCCC Quality Awareness Programme 2005


Music
  • I participated in a music workshop at the ACP conference in Cork 07/06/2014


  • NCNA Creative Music for Under 5s Course, attended and completed on 21/09/2006


  • I can read music.


  • I play the Soprano and Tenor recorders.


  • I can also play simple melodies on the piano.


Art
  • WCCC Chowder Art Workshop 17/10/2012


  • I attended an art workshop at the WCCC (joint) Childcare seminar on 16/06/2012


  • I did a 10 course training in Art Therapy (s. a.).


  • NCNA Art & Crafts with Under 5s Course, attended and completed on 20/04/2006


  • WCCC Art Course


Physical Education
  • Waterford Sports Council - Buntús programme 20/11/2011 + 24/11/2011


  • WCCC Activities for childminders programme, attended on 18/05/2010


  • WCCC Play Day - Music & Movement 2006, attended on 21/10/2006


  • WCCC Play Day - Be Active 2006, attended on 08/04/2006


Curriculum Planning
  • Documenting the Curriculum 30/01/2013, 13/02/2013, 27/02/2013


  • High Scope curriculum planning done in High Scope certification course January to June 2010


  • NCNA Curriculum Planning for 0-3 Years Course, attended on 12/11/2007


Multicultural
  • CCCW Diversity & Equality Workshop (Aistear) 28/04/2014


  • Multicultural aspects also dealt with during Equality & Diversity Workshop at the Association of Childcare Professionals (ACP) conference on 13/10/2012


  • Multicultural aspects also dealt with during High Scope certificate course January to June 2010


  • NCNA Multicultural Ideas & Activities Course, attended and completed on 19/10/2006


Outdoor Play
  • CTC - Certificate in Outdoor Play Therapy (s. a.)


  • Attended Outdoor Play workshop at OMEP conference in Cork 04/2011.


  • Attended Outdoor Play conference "The Room Outside" including various lectures and workshops on 19/06/2010


  • NCNA Options for Outdoor Play Course, attended and completed on 18/05/2006


Afterschool
  • NCNA Programme Ideas for Afterschool Course, attended and completed on 04/03/2006


Reading + Books
  • WCCC - Books for Little Readers 08/03/2022


  • The Childminding Little Libraries Initiative 03/03/2022 (National launch by Minister O'Gorman)

  • WCCC - Books for Little Readers  2021

Intergenerational Learning
  • TOY - Together Young and Old: An Intergenerational Approach, 14/10/2019 - 10/11/2019


This is a 4 week, 6 hours per week Intergenerational Learning course delivered by the Dublin Institute of Technology, the Beth Johnson Foundation, Linking Generations Northern Ireland, the International Child Development Initiatives, the Hellenic Open University, and the DAISSy Research Group.


This is the short course description by the developers: "The online course “Together Old and Young: An Intergenerational Approach”  is unique in its focus on young children (0 – 8 years old) and older  adults (65+ years old) and aims to promote awareness and expertise to  support you in developing good quality, sustainable intergenerational  practice. Through this course you will learn about intergenerational  practice and discover practical ways to create opportunities for  Intergenerational Learning in your own area.The online course “Together Old and Young: An Intergenerational Approach”  is unique in its focus on young children (0 – 8 years old) and older  adults (65+ years old) and aims to promote awareness and expertise to  support you in developing good quality, sustainable intergenerational  practice. Through this course you will learn about intergenerational  practice and discover practical ways to create opportunities for  Intergenerational Learning in your own area."


Art Therapy
  • Co. Waterford VEC Art Therapy Course, 10 classes attended on

30/01/12, 06/02/12, 13/02/12, 20/02/12, 27/02/12, 05/03/12, 12/03/12, 26/03/12, 02/04/12, 16/04/12


Fire Safety
  • Ember Fire Safety Ltd. & WCCC Fire Prevention & Evacuation, successfully completed on 28/04/2008


Manual Handling
  • Manual Handling, successfully participated on 11/05/2021


  • Manual Handling of Materials and Clients Techniques, successfully participated on 21/11/2012


  • Manual Handling of Materials and Clients Techniques, successfully participated on 30/01/10


Adult Mental Health
  • isc - Online Congress Navigating Narcissism: An integrated & integral investigation into one of the most complex personalities across the globe 06/05/2022 + 07/05/2022

  • Woman's Aid - Half Day Domestic Abuse Awareness Online Training 24/02/2022

  • Psychometrix - Certificate of Competence in Aptitude and Careers Assessment 16/10/2019
  • BPS Qualification in occupational testing Test User: Ability 16/10/2019

  • Psychometrix - Certificate of Competence in Ability and Personality Assessment 17/10/2019
  • BPS Qualification in occupational testing Test User: Ability and Test User: Personality 17/10/2019
Last updated 06/04/2022
Back to content