Childminders set up for communication
A new training programme will show childminders how to adapt their environment to improve children's speaking and listening skills, using a £50,000 grant from the Children's Workforce Development Council.
Early years consultant Elizabeth Jarman, in partnership with the National Childminding Association, will develop the programme, 'Communication Friendly Spaces: Improving children's speaking and listening skills', over the next year.
Ms Jarman will train NCMA members in disseminating best practice, looking at how noise, light, colour and space influence children's everyday environment and affect speaking and listening abilities.
Ms Jarman said, 'In Phase 1 we will be developing pilot materials and piloting training in two childminding networks to see what delivery works best. Delegate materials will include activities, hand-outs and recommendations of resources. The training will be very interactive, a really good balance between theory and practice.'
In Phase 2 she will train nine NCMA members to deliver the course in each of the nine national regions.
'We envisage it will eventually be a two-day residential training programme and want to roll it out by July next year so it will be available for local authorities to buy into,' Ms Jarman added.
