The 'Developmental Programme for Two-Year-Olds' is fully funded by Northern Ireland's Department of Education and is currently available to a limited number of childminders across the province. NICMA hopes to secure further funding so it can be rolled out on a wider scale.
The developmental programme for two-year-olds was devised by the early years organisation on behalf of Northern Ireland's Department of Education.
The training programme is made up of eight modules and delivered over nine sessions. It encourages childminders to take a child-centred approach, and give two-year-olds as much independence as possible.
Childminders learn about the different stages of child development, how to make the most of their indoor and outdoor environments, how to plan around children's interests, and the importance of working with parents.
The programme, which is also delivered in Sure Start centres in Northern Ireland, also stresses the importance of using basic materials and objects that can be found at home or outdoors, rather than buying expensive toys.
NICMA's training and quality co-ordinator Susan Anderson said, 'It's easy to assume that a two-year-old can't think for themselves and needs to be occupied with adult-led activities all day. Childminders don't always have to lead play with children, as the programme encourages the child to choose activities which interest them. If you take the trouble to find out what the child wants to do and allow them to lead their play you will find that they will get much more involved in what they are doing and learn much more from it.'
She added, 'Feedback we've had from childminders who have taken part is that it has increased their confidence and self-esteem, and their settings have become more child-led than adult-led.'
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