Opinion

Janet King: Raising the bar for baby care with specialist training

Education and early years expert Janet King from NCFE on the growing need for specialist training in baby care, and how their new Level 3 award aims to enhance practitioners' skills.

The first two years of a child’s life are critical. Rapid brain development, attachment formation, and sensory exploration during this period lay the foundation for lifelong learning, emotional wellbeing, and physical health.

For practitioners, this means fostering secure relationships that support emotional connections, creating spaces that encourage sensory exploration, and guiding learning through nurturing interactions. These foundational practices are not only vital for the child but also set the tone for broader developmental milestones in later years.

However, many practitioners lack access to specialised training that equips them with the skills and knowledge to provide this level of care. In the absence of focused professional development, the youngest and most vulnerable children in early years settings risk missing out on the enriching experiences they need to thrive.

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