Child studies course offered at family centre

Beachside Family Centre at Umina will be hosting a TAFE Outreach course next year for people interested in training in child care.

The course, an Introduction to Child Studies, will be held in the first half of the year and is suitable for people who wish to further their career or for parents and carers who want to understand their young children and learn how to bond with them through play.

"We have run many courses with TAFE Outreach but this is the first time participants could use their study to give them credit if they chose to continue studying Child Studies," said centre facilitator Ms Debbie Notara.

"This will be an opportunity to learn about positive ways to care for children in Child Care Services, investigate suitable play materials and environments and learn how to promote learning through the routine in a child's day."

The courses are free of charge and there will also be support to assist participants who want to continue their studies.

There will be a visit to Ourimbah Campus included in the course with the possibility to continue with another unit of study at Umina in the second half of the year.

The classes will be held from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesdays from March 2 until June 22 at Beachside Family Centre.

The unit of study called Provide Care for Children is a part of the Certificate Three in Children's Services.

Areas that will be studied include games and play activities for children, settling children in child care routines, managing stress in early childhood, providing healthy food and successful eating environments, and positive caregiving strategies related to the Early Years Learning Framework.

Media Release, 30 Nov 2010 Debbie Notara, Beachside Family centre