Ergocoach Course in Childcare

In this module you build the theoretical foundation you need as an ergocoach. You gain insight into how the body responds to the specific workload in childcare: low working postures, lifting, squatting, static load and unexpected forces when working with children.

• Standards for physical workload when working with children (Arbocatalogus Kinderopvang, the childcare health and safety catalogue)
• Recognising healthy and straining postures and movements in childcare practice
• How muscles and joints work during daily activities: lifting, bending, squatting, reaching
• Which muscles you can use to protect joints in low working postures
• Work capacity: your own resilience and initiative for vitality
• Keeping workload at work and from your private situation in balance
• What you can do yourself and as an ergocoach to tackle the source of physical workload
• Practising, experiencing and assessing working techniques yourself
• Recognising common complaints in childcare: neck, shoulders, back, hips and knees
• Tasks of the ergocoach in childcare
• Legislation and regulations, health and safety policy and the Arbocatalogus Kinderopvang
• Exercises for task-related fitness and improving work capacity

In this module childcare practice is central. You learn how to apply your knowledge on the shop floor and how, as an ergocoach, you guide colleagues towards healthy and safe working. By practising working techniques, ergonomic analysis and coaching, you develop skills you can apply immediately.

Among other things, you learn:

• Observing and analysing employees' working habits, work experience and ergonomic conditions
• Training working techniques: low working postures, bending, lifting children of different weights, reaching and static standing
• Coaching, training and advising colleagues on favourable working habits for efficient muscle use and less joint strain
• Effective use of aids: stackable tables, ergonomic mats, adjustable furniture
• Giving practical advice and exercises that fit the daily work routine in the group
• Discussing findings and reporting back to the team and to managers

Real coaching skills are more effective than enthusiastic persuasion. Asking questions, probing further and entering into discussion based on what you observe as an ergocoach are the core of this module. You practise with role plays and practice simulations tailored to situations in childcare.

Besides skills, coaching also makes demands on your personality. Developing personal qualities and fostering personal growth are central to this module.

Topics:

• Coach the coach: how do you guide a fellow ergocoach?
• Applying communication models in a group-based working environment
• Communicating effectively and purposefully with childcare practitioners
• Giving constructive feedback on working behaviour
• Dealing with resistance and limiting beliefs (‘we always do it this way’)
• Securing agreements within the team and the organisation
• Developing a working method that fits your childcare organisation

The course consists of two sessions: a half-day online (optionally also on site for in-company) and one day on site. Between the sessions you work out a practical assignment in your own working environment, so you apply what you have learned straight away. The total lead time is approx. 3 to 4 weeks.

An e-learning module is available via Ergomotion's learning portal as preparation for and deepening of the course content.

Yes. Besides the Ergocoach Course Childcare, Ergomotion also provides the Ergocoach Course Healthcare, the Ergocoach Course Manual Handling (for industry, logistics and construction) and the Ergocoach Course Office Ergonomics. Each course is fully tailored to the specific workload within that sector.

The course consists of three modules:

• Theory: Recognising straining postures, how muscles and joints work, standards from the Arbocatalogus Kinderopvang and legislation and regulations.
• Practice on the shop floor: Training in working techniques such as low working postures, lifting and the effective use of aids such as stackable tables and ergonomic mats.
• Coaching and communication: Coaching skills to address colleagues professionally, give feedback and secure behavioural change.

After completing the Ergocoach Course Childcare you can advise and coach colleagues on:

• Physical and mental workload at work: which postures and movements are straining and how to recognise this
• The risks and consequences: from early complaints of the neck, back, shoulders, hips and knees to long-term absence
• How this can be influenced: through awareness, improving posture and working habits, relaxation, adjusting working conditions, aids and work organisation

The course is intended for everyone who works in childcare and wants to play a role in improving working conditions:

• Childcare practitioners and childcare workers who want to guide colleagues
• Managers and owners who want to reduce sickness absence due to physical complaints
• Prevention officers and HR officers responsible for health and safety policy

Self-employed professionals in childcare can register their interest in open enrolment via the contact form; with sufficient interest we schedule an edition.

The course consists of two sessions: a half-day online (or on site for in-company) and one full training day on site. Between the sessions you work out a practical assignment in your own working environment, so you apply what you have learned straight away. The total lead time is approx. 3 to 4 weeks.

An e-learning module is available via Ergomotion's learning portal as additional preparation and deepening.

Childcare has a unique workload profile that differs strongly from healthcare or office work. Employees work at knee height all day, lift children of varying weights and face unexpected movements. Moreover, work pressure is high and moments of rest are scarce.

A general ergocoach course does not cover these sector-specific risks sufficiently. All working techniques, case studies and coaching exercises are tailored to situations that occur daily in childcare.

After successfully completing the course you receive a certificate of attendance from Ergomotion. Contact us for the latest information on any sector-specific accreditation for childcare.

Yes. From 5 participants from the same organisation, an in-company course is almost always more economical and more effective. The trainer comes to your location and the course is fully tailored to the specific aids, workplaces and situations of your childcare organisation. Contact us for a tailored quote.

Ergomotion fully stands behind the quality and practical applicability of the course. If after the course you are not satisfied with the knowledge gained or its usefulness in your childcare practice, we will not send an invoice.

Yes. Ergomotion also offers support after the course for as long as you need it. You can get in touch with practical questions, case studies from the shop floor or if you need a refresher session. Contact us via info@ergomotion.nl or +31 85 303 8272.