Introduction to Childcare Practice (ICP)

An introductory course delivered over two Saturday sessions. This course covers the business side of childminding, working with parents, safeguarding children and setting limits to behaviour and the five outcomes of Every Child Matters; be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, making a positive contribution and organisation. Completion of the course is a requirement for registration as a Childminder. The course concludes with a Multiple Choice Question paper conducted under exam conditions. Successful completion of the Introduction to Childcare Practice will result in you gaining Unit one of the Diploma in Home-based Childcare a CACHE qualification.

Click here for a table of ICP courses available in Oxfordshire.

If you would like to book onto any of the ICP courses please contact training@triochildcare.co.uk quoting the ICP number you are interested in. Please note: in order to attend an ICP course you must have attended a briefing session run by Oxfordshire County Council. You can book onto a briefing session by calling 01865 323772.

Please note, if you are a Nanny wishing to book yourself onto an Introduction to Childcare Practice (ICP) course you are not required to attend a briefing session. You will, however be asked to pay the full cost of the course before attendance. Please contact Trio to book onto the next available course.

This is a level 3 qualification which is split into five separate units. Each unit is certified. Unit 1 is the ICP course – details above. Follow on units can be completed at the learner's own pace. To gain the Diploma in Home-based Childcare all five units have to be successfully completed.

DHC Units are scheduled in as required. Click here for a table of DHC units available in Oxfordshire.

Funding may be available for you to study the Diploma in Home-based Childcare. If you would like to book onto any of the scheduled DHC units please contact training@triochildcare.co.uk and someone will contact you.

Step into Training is co-ordinated and offered by Oxfordshire County Council to all Early Years Foundation Stage practitioners, playworkers and Children’s Centre staff. Financial support is available for Step into Training programmes and Childminders are entitled to 8 hours free training per year (April – March).

You can download a booking form for Step into Training or book online by visiting www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/earlyyearstraining or for help choosing a course contact the Training Administrative Officer on 0845 6042346 or email stepintotraining@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Childminders are sent a summary list of continuing professional development opportunities with their Trio training newsletter but can be sent the full programme on request. You can access a complete list of training opportunities by visiting www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/earlyyearstraining.

In Oxfordshire, Trio offer FREE training to childminders during their first 6 months of registration to assist them in preparing for their first graded Ofsted inspection. The training takes place in the childminder’s home and lasts for about an hour. We look at the paper work you are required to keep for Ofsted and guide you in completing your self evaluation form. The results are excellent – 88% of childminders who have received this training have received good or outstanding from Ofsted – compared with a national average of 59% . Comments from childminders who have received the training include:

• Information given was extremely useful. I feel more confident in waiting for my inspection from Ofsted
• As a new childminder this has been excellent for me to move forward
• Have more confidence now I know what building blocks to put in place
• Excellent. I will get all policy and procedures in place
  

In Oxfordshire, Trio also offer FREE post inspection training to childminders who have received satisfactory or inadequate in their Ofsted inspection. A Trio Childminding Development Worker contacts the childminder to offer a 1 hour practical session, in the childminder’s home, giving training in order to help them achieve a better grade at their next inspection. The training is designed to be carried out when the childminder is looking after minded children.

Comments from childminders who have received this training include:

• Enjoyed learning. I normally find it hard to attend training
• Found session really helpful. Looking forward to making drop-ins
• Very constructive and helpful training that will improve childminding
• Very informative and useful. I shall certainly be using the suggested ideas and tools in my setting
• Visit very helpful. Nice to hear about possible training so I can aim towards better outcome.

The following qualifications are available:

• CACHE NVQ Level 2 Children’s Care Learning and Development (CCLD)
• CACHE NVQ Level 3 Children’s Care Learning and Development (CCLD)
• CACHE NVQ Level 4 Children’s Care Learning and Development (CCLD)
• CACHE NVQ Level 2 Playwork
• CACHE NVQ Level 3 Playwork
• CACHE Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage Practice
• CACHE Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Years and Child Care Workers
• CACHE Level 3 Award in Early Years and Child Care for Playworkers
• CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare

Funding may be available for you to study these qualifications. If you would like to register your interest for any of these qualifications please contact training@triochildcare.co.uk and someone will contact you.