The Level 3 training, available from January, is made up of two units,and is both taught and followed by practitioners studying in their ownworkplace.
Content for the 'Integrated Practice' programme, which requires 20 hoursof learning, has been developed so that it can be used by practitionersin nurseries, pre-schools and out-of-school clubs, as well aschildminders and home-based carers.
4Children identified a need for the module after consulting 1,000 earlyyears and childcare workers in the private, voluntary and independentsector for their views on integrated working.
Chief executive Anne Longfield said, 'More than anything, we found thatthey backed Every Child Matters but weren't quite sure what it meant forthem. Most felt that they weren't getting any help or training.'
The 'practical toolkit' for frontline early years and childcare workersis aimed at ensuring fast referrals for specialist help for children andgiving support to parents.
Ms Longfield said she thought local authorities would roll out thecourse to early years providers with the costs covered by theTransformation Fund.
She said 4Children is working with the Children's Workforce DevelopmentCouncil to have the programme endorsed on the Integrated QualificationsFramework.
It is awarded by Edexcel and was developed with partners including theNational Children's Bureau and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.