My Qualifications
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
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!
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.
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
ifdco = International Family Day Care Organisation
ACP = Association of Childcare Professionals
- BPS = British Psychological Society
- isc - Istituto di Scienze Cognitive (Professional Training in Psychology and Psychotherapy)
- Play Therapy Theory and Observation
- Play Therapy Practice
- Play Therapy Practice
- Play Therapy Theory
- Advanced Play Therapy Practice
- Family Contexts in Play Therapy
- Interpersonal Neurobiology
- Advanced Play Therapy Practice
- Play Therapy Processes
- Sand and Art Therapy
- Play Therapy Research Methods
- Play Therapy Research Thesis
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.
- 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
Barnardos - Trauma Awarenes 07/04/2022
Barnardos - Webinar: Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice in an Early Years Setting 17/10/2020
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!
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
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 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
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 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
- 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
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.
- Waterford & Wexford ETB QQI Level 5 module Special Needs Assisting 5N1709 01/2016 to 05/2016
- WCCC Autism Spectrum Disorder Workshop 18/10/2012
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.
- 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 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.
OU - Children in the Digital Age 08/06/2015 - 28/06/2015
- 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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
NCNA Programme Ideas for Afterschool Course, attended and completed on 04/03/2006
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
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.
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
Ember Fire Safety Ltd. & WCCC Fire Prevention & Evacuation, successfully completed on 28/04/2008
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
- 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