TAFE NSW – Riverina Institute is leading the way in innovative training for the child care industry. A remarkable new TAFE PLUS program in ethics and morality for children’s services employees and carers was offered in March this year at Wagga Wagga Campus. The program titled ‘Values, Ethics and Reflective Practice for Children’s Services’, is the first of its kind in TAFE NSW.

TAFE PLUS training for child carers sheds light on topics from music-making (top) to ethics and morality (bottom)

The training shows how to pause and ponder on important questions such as: are we being true to all we hold dear? What is important? What values and ethics do we want the next generation to have?

Marg Casey, an experienced full-time Child Studies and Welfare teacher, presented a ‘hands on’ training session to more than 20 people.

‘We received positive feedback from the participants,’ commented Beverley Powell, Flexible Delivery Co-ordinator. ‘Marg’s training is guaranteed to challenge people and change the way they approach their working life and relationships. The children for whom they care need values and ethics built into their daily program. On completing the course people left with a commitment to apply what they learned about the expression of values, ethics and morality in their lives and workplaces.’

Another TAFE PLUS program developed for children’s services employees and held at Wagga Wagga Campus in March was titled ‘Music Throughout The Day’. The 3-hour training session covered ideas and strategies for involving children up to five years of age in making music for every occasion, whether informal, incidental, spontaneous or planned.

The course was presented by Early Childhood Educator, Prue Downes. Prue has been teaching children for many years in a variety of settings. She is Co-Director of Koala Preschool and teaches child studies part-time at Riverina Institute.

‘We provided many ideas for simple props and resources that are inexpensive to make, but are extremely effective in initiating exciting musical experiences for children,’ said Ms Powell ‘This program is not for the faint hearted. There’s lots of active involvement including singing, moving, dancing, creating and playing. ‘Music Throughout The Day’ was a huge success. More than 40 participants went away with some great ways and means to use music with young children.’

Riverina Institute delivers a number of TAFE PLUS programs in the area of child studies, from creating hand-made brushes to curriculum-related topics, as well as cross-cultural communication. These can help child care workers undertaking this type of training to enrich their interactions with the children under their care.