Whatever your job title, it’s useful to keep your knowledge current and it’s no different for carers.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is the means by which people maintain their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives.
The New Year encourages us to think about new resolutions – and CPD should be one of them. Aim to make it a continuing process throughout the year. Try to be disciplined and factor in a bit of time, maybe each week or month, to stay current.
We’re not suggesting you need to take the day off work, or turn down any usual commitments – don’t see this as a mammoth task. It’s easy to read up on current hot topics and it doesn’t need to disrupt your usual routine (or that of the families you work for).
There are lots of different ways to keep up to date with what’s going on in your field, and lots of ways to keep on progressing in your role. Here are some options to explore- find the one that works for you.
- Reading
Try reading some sector specific publications such as Nursery World or Home Childcarer magazine. - Websites
Ones like Care.com! Keep up to date with everything childcare related, there’s plenty of tips and advice to keep you current and excited about your job. - Forums
A great place for facilitating conversation with likeminded individuals. Remember confidentiality agreements. - Parenting sites
The way a child carer views a situation may be different to the way a parent views it so it’s useful to look at sites specifically for parents to gain more understanding. You’ll also find out generally what parents’ current concerns and interests are. - TED talks
This site has some absolutely fascinating video content. Listen to some great minds, discuss and debate various topics. They’re often short and to the point and can expose you to topics and ideas you’ve not necessarily considered before. We’re always wanting children to be curious but as we get older it’s easy to get set in our ways. Engage your curiosity, challenge yourself and learn something new.More formal options including attendance at conferences/training sessions or evening classes. These require more of time but are a great option to learn alongside others — which might also have the added benefit of meeting other people in your field.
- Online courses
From a one off course up to degree level, you choose your starting point. These can provide great flexibility whilst gaining a recognised qualification. - Talk to other professionals
You’ve a wealth of knowledge between you, share it. Go for a coffee with some fellow carers, talk about your experiences and new things that you’ve learnt. However, remember confidentiality.If you read something great and interesting, pass it on! Being a carer can sometimes feel isolating, so create a virtual learning network. Social media networks such as Twitter are great for this. Share it on Care.com Twitter now, we’d love to hear what you’re learning!
It’s good practice to keep a record – maybe a CPD diary. Keep track of the dates, what you covered and any attendance or achievement certificates if you get them. This may be useful in negotiating a raise with your family – showing them how up to date you are, and your continued progress will only cement their faith in you.
Commit to learning something new every week for 2013!
