Training 

Respecting Difference

What is Respecting Difference?  The Media Initiative for Children was developed by Early Years - the       organisation for young children ( N.I) and the Peace Initiatives Institute.  It combines a series of cartoon advertisements with a curriculum.  Together they aim to build a better understanding among children, parents and teachers, of physical social and cultural differences. To check out the cartoon series, click here.

Respecting Difference aims to:

• Increase awareness of diversity and difference issues among children, their teachers and parents#
• Help children understand what it feels like to be excluded and encourage them to be more willing to include children who are different from themselves.
• Encourage young children to demonstrate respect and actively include others who are different, rather than ridiculing, fighting or rejecting them
• Make Respecting Difference a very real experience for children and something that can be shared with their families.

   How is Respecting Difference Linked to the curriculum?

   Respecting Difference links into the curriculum by addressing equal opportunities through a range of resources and activities.  Children need opportunities to discuss and acknowledge the similarities and differences between themselves and others.  They also need to be able to express more effectively feelings associated with similarities and differences, including those of exclusion and inclusion. 

It is hoped that by integrating Respecting Difference into the pre-school curriculum, children will begin to understand the meaning of acceptance and respect for others, and will be more likely to include others who are different from themselves.

Buntus Start

What is Buntus Start?

Buntus Start is a physical activity programme for children aged three to five years, which provides a wide range of learning opportunities for young children to develop their fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills, co-ordination and balancing skills.

Buntus Start has been adopted for use in Ireland from it's UK equivalent TOP Start, an initiative of the Youth Sport Trust.  The Buntus programme has three elements;  Resource cards, child-friendly equipment and quality training for practitioners. 

The aim of Buntus Start is to extend the physical, creative, personal, social and emotional capabilities of pre-school children through enjoyable physical activities in the areas of spatial awareness, basic motor skills, co-ordination and control skills and aiming, predicting and estimating skills.

Training takes place in cluster groups where practitioners receive four hours training delivered over two evenings.  This is followed by two further hours training in a follow-on session approximately 4 weeks after implementation in the settings.  In addition to training, services receive support with their programme implementation through telephone contact and on-site support visits.

Occupational First Aid

Participants will develop practical skills and theory based knowledge to enable them to deal competently with various First Aid situations that may arise in the working environment. Successful Participants are certified as Occupational First Aiders in accordance with current Health & Safety regulations. Course content includes assessment, accident and scene management, circulation, respiration, wounds and bleeding and asphyxia, unconciousness, CPR fractures, sprains, strains and dislocations, burns and scalds, chemical poison, electric shock, medical emergencies, crush and spinal injuries, revison and examination.  Further details can be obtained by contacting the office. Certificates are now valid for 2 years and are FETAC V accredited.

Paediatric First Aid

Paediatric Emergency First Aid is a 1 day course for Childcare Providers and Parents. Participants will develop an understanding of First Aid and what procedures to follow when dealing with various life threatening emergency situations such as Febrile convulsions, choking, burns management and a variety of other emergency first aid techniques including CPR. Particular emphasis on dealing with common types of accidents and illnesses associated with babies and children.

Refresher Occupational First Aid

Refresher Occupational First Aid is a 1 day course to refresh Occupationa lFirst Aid. Participants MUST hold an Occupational First Aid Certificate which is still in date. Certificates are valid for 2 years. Successful Participants are re-certified as Occupational First Aiders in accordance with Health & Safety legislation.