Working with children
This page outlines the childcare training orientation courses available in Liverpool. It is a specific package we have created locally which makes best use of nationally accredited courses and locally developed programmes, endorsed by local childcare providers, to ensure the best possible support for people who want to work with children.
See our jobs page for the latest vacancies.
You can also search the Jobcentre Plus website for job vacancies in Liverpool.
'Step into Childcare in Liverpool'
This is a programme of training that combines two courses, Making Choices and Skills Passport, and takes approximately three weeks to complete.
To be eligible to attend the Step into Childcare programme you must live in Liverpool and be unemployed.*
*If you are employed you can attend Making Choices which also runs as a stand alone course.
Making choices in working with children, young people and families
Making Choices is the perfect introduction to a career in childcare. It aims to help you make an informed choice about choosing a career in working with children, young people and families.
It is a 12 hour programme and is suitable for those who:
- have just left school;
- are on 'New Deal' programmes;
- are returning to work/learning or thinking of making a career change;
- are already working in the children's workforce who are considering moving into a different sector.
And
- it's free;
- it's a nationally recognized achievement;
- it's a 12 hour programme;
- it's fun;
- you have the opportunity to meet local employers and childcare workers;
- you can meet new friends and share experiences;
- it does not affect your claim for benefits (if applicable);
- as a stand alone course it is open to anyone, including school leavers, those returning to work or those thinking of a change in career.
By the end of the programme you will have an awareness of:
- the diverse services available to children, young people and families;
- an introduction to the range of employment opportunities in childcare;
- the specific roles and responsibilities involved in working within the sector;
- relevant childcare legislation;
- routes into training and qualifications.
Making Choices is a nationally recognized achievement. Those who fulfil the attendance requirements will receive an Adult Learning Service attendance certificate, endorsed by SkillsActive.
For more details call 08000 28 43 28
Skills Passport
Liverpool Childcare and Family Information Service, in partnership with JET, Jobcentre Plus and local childcare providers, have developed the Skills Passport for people wishing to work in childcare.
By attending the Skills Passport course you will have the opportunity to gain accredited and attendance certificates in areas such as:
- basic health & safety
- basic food hygiene
- customer focus
- basic child development
- paediatric first aid
- safeguarding children
The Skills Passport course will equip you with some of the most important skills required to work in the childcare industry.
You will also be offered a guaranteed interview at the end of the programme, which can be the door to new employment, or experience at presenting yourself in job interviews.
For more details call 08000 28 43 28
Pathways
Pathways is the local programme to support people who would like to register as a childminder.
The course looks at what it means to be a childminder, how you can achieve and maintain the National Day Care Standards, and offers training in the business elements of the work.
The programme also looks at the first module of the Certificate in Childminding Practice (Introducing Childminding Practice) and ends with a final session on completing the forms required for registration.
This programme is initially two sessions, leading straight on to a further six for those wishing to proceed with registration. Each session is approximately two hours long.
For more information and details of when the next Pathways programme will begin, please contact 08000 85 20 22 or email LCIS@liverpool.gov.uk.
Take 5 For Play
This is a good introductory course for people who are new to childcare or want to gain experience of working with children and young people aged 5 to 15 years in a play setting.
The course is a 15 hour programme, delivered over a number of weeks at a local community venue.
No experience of playwork is needed before joining and it's a great course to attend after the Making Choices and/or Skills Passport programmes.
This course will provide you with an understanding of the importance of play, roles and responsibilities of a playworker, playwork and teamwork, and playwork as a career option.
Take 5 For Play is listed on the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) approved course list as a recognized induction training course for playworkers.
Those who fulfil the course requirements, which include visits to play settings, will receive a full certificate which is endorsed by SkillsActive, and recognized throughout the Playwork Sector.
Those who attend the course but do not visit play settings will receive an attendance certificate.
For further details or to book a place, please call the Liverpool Adult Learning Service on 0151 709 2522.