Entering an in-house or family caregiving setup can be a challenge, especially when you are starting from zero and have minimal experience. However, some free online courses can grant you entry into the workforce.
If you are currently unemployed and wish to enroll in some training programs, here are a few free childcare courses for you.
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1. Understanding Child Development: From Synapse to Society
Course Details
- Completion Period: 28 hours (3 weeks/ 9 hours a week)
- Completion Certificates: Yes, Utrecht University
- Course Fee: Free
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Passing Criteria: Assessments, 14 quizzes
Description
This childcare course from Urtech University is available on Coursera for free. In this course, the contents are divided into 6 modules, each diving into a complex topic of child development, from cognition to communication, and so on. Each module is organized and taught by Dr. Jorg Huijding and takes anywhere between 3 to 6 hours.
The instructor has focused on an interdisciplinary approach that can help learners understand the complexities of a child’s development journey, using theories and systematic approaches. At the end of modules, students will go through quizzes and assignments. It will help the learners get insights into child development in various domains and at various levels of understanding.
Topics Covered
Here are some modules you will be covering in this course.
- Introduction to Dynamic of Youth
- Brain and Motor Development
- Cognitive Development, Communication
- Social-Emotional Development
- Research Work
2. Mealtime Management
Course Details
- Completion Period: 4 weeks (5 hours per week)
- Completion Certificates: Yes, EdApp certification
- Course Fee: Free
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Passing Criteria: Assessments/ Quizzes
Description
Mealtime Management makes up a vital part of in-house or clinical childcare setups, and this course is a perfect opportunity for those who wish to enter the workforce. It is designed for caregivers to understand how they can meet the feeding requirements of children, especially with diseases like dysphagia, special nutritional needs, and other relevant physical abilities.
In this course, you will get insights into special techniques for effective nutrition and proper mealtime management. It includes several practices for you to understand the right methods for evaluating a child’s nutritional needs. To complete this course, you will have to go through real-time clinical evaluations, case studies, and theoretical quizzes.
Topics Covered
Here are some modules you will be covering in this course.
- Effective nutrition for people with physical and mental disabilities.
- Techniques in managing dysphagia.
- Mealtime management for people living in a clinical care setup.
- Evaluation of the mealtime and nutrition practices.
- Understanding the needs of the people you are caring for.
3. Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing
Course Details
- Completion Period: 21 hours (3 weeks/ 7 hours a week)
- Completion Certificates: Yes, Yale University
- Course Fee: Free
- Difficulty Level: beginner level
- Passing Criteria: assessments, 21 quizzes
Description
The course Everyday Parenting by Dr. Alan E Kazdin, Yale University gives you access to a powerful toolkit for understanding the behavioral changes in children. It goes through step-by-step ABC techniques, demonstrated with both adolescents and children. The course covers four modules, each spanning over four to six hours.
The contents of the course are designed for better interaction between the participants. With each module, they have to go through certain quizzes, readings, and discussions, benefiting them in a clinical childcare setup.
Topics Covered
The course by Dr. Alan E Kazdin is organized over four modules, as follows.
- Part 1: Antecedents & Behaviors mainly overviews the A and B of the ABC development formula. This module outlines the child’s behaviors and how they are influenced by external factors. Students will have to complete five quizzes in this module.
- Part 2: Consequences focuses on the C of the ABC formula. It deals with the consequences of the behaviors discussed previously. Students will have to complete six quizzes in this module.
- Advanced ABCs: Troubleshooting and Adolescents will take all the techniques of the ABC formula and outline ways that can help improve the role of parenting tools. This module has 4 quizzes and 1 peer review.
- Special Topics and Conclusion discusses the larger family environment and misconceptions along with tips on how to find viable treatments.
4. Introduction to Early Childhood
Course Details
- Completion Period: 10 hours
- Completion Certificates: Yes, Coursera Specialization Certificate
- Course Fee: Free
- Difficulty Level: Beginner Level
- Passing Criteria: Assessment
Description
The Introduction to Early Childhood is a part of the Home-Based Child Care Specialization, a perfect opportunity for the unemployed to fish for employment opportunities. The course is organized and taught by JoLynn Fiorentino from the State University of New York, who has worked with young children for over 25 years. This course is available in 21 languages.
In this particular course, you will learn the fundamentals of early childhood development and the significance of family in early education programs. In the end, you will have knowledge about new concepts, develop job-relevant skills with projects, and earn a sharable career certificate. Overall, the course is targeted towards those wishing to work in primary daycare centers.
Topics Covered
The course is divided into six modules, as follows.
- Family Policy Handbook Project with 2 readings.
- Foundations for Early Childhood with 2 readings and 1 discussion prompt.
- Family Engagement with 2 readings and 1 discussion prompt.
- Observation and Assessment of Children with 3 readings and 1 discussion prompt.
- Guiding Children’s Behavior with 2 readings and 1 discussion prompt.
- Inclusion and Diversity with 3 readings and 1 peer review.
5. Childcare as a Business
Course Details
- Completion Certificates: Yes, comprehensive certificate
- Course Fee: Free
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Passing Criteria: Assessments, Quizzes
Description
The childcare as a business developed by Jennifer Bleakley is an excellent way to get entry into the childcare clinical setups. The course is also a part of the Home-Based Child Care Specialization and is targeted toward people operating or wishing to start an in-home or working in a family child care center. Currently, the course is available in 21 languages on Coursera.
In this course, you will learn the basics of operating a quality home-based childcare center as a business. According to Jennifer Bleakley, the course aims to help you learn new concepts from industry experts, gain a foundation in the subject, and develop job-relevant skills. At the end, you will receive a sharable career certificate.
Topics Covered
This course consists of six modules, including
- Introduction: Family Policy Handbook Project with 2 readings.
- Introduction to a Home-Based Child Care Program with 3 quizzes and 1 discussion prompts.
- Bookkeeping Basics with 4 quizzes and 1 discussion prompts.
- Childcare Contracts with 3 quizzes and 1 discussion prompts.
- Rate Setting and Invoice Processing with 2 quizzes and 2 discussion prompts.
- Project Assessment: Family Policy Handbook, Including a Business Plan with 1 peer review.
6. The Hows of Hand Hygiene
Course Details
- Completion Period: 4 weeks
- Completion Certificates: Yes, EdApp certification
- Course Fee: Free
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Passing Criteria: Assessments/ Quizzes
Description
If you are currently working as a nurse in a childcare setup or wish to, this course on hand hygiene might come in handy. This course is designed to deliver effective learning on hand hygiene, its significance, and useful techniques. It consists of four lessons, available in the English language for beginner-level caregivers.
After completing this course, you will be able to practice hand hygiene and guide people on how to include it in their routine lives. You will also be better equipped to care for children with disabilities and immobility. The course content is pretty interactive and includes several assessments, and you will have to pass them to get the certification.
Topics Covered
A few topics/modules covered in this course are as follows.
- The transmission of germs and its science.
- Effective ways to properly wash your hands.
- Utilization of alcohol-based hand rubs.
- Useful techniques for taking care of your hands.
To fish for better employment opportunities in a family caregiving setup, it is better to do some training courses to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. I hope this guide has been helpful for those trying to figure out the right courses.