We work with councils, colleges and businesses to offer a variety of exciting childcare opportunities to everyone in the community.
We know that one of the barriers to working is the high cost of childcare so our programmes promote affordable childcare options and flexible working patterns.
Our tailored business enterprise and learning programmes are delivered from Peabody community centres and housing estates across London, all year round. These programmes are for everyone to gain skills, knowledge, qualifications and employment within the childcare sector.
- Become a childminder
- Free training courses for childminders
- Childminder Apprenticeships
Work for us
Did you train with Peabody to become a childminder?
Are you Ofsted registered?
You can join our bank of trusted childcare providers to expand your business leads. Apply to join so that you can offer your services to Peabody customers in your local area.
How to apply:
Send us your details as well as copies of the below documents.
- Ofsted registration number and copy of your certificate
- Public Liability insurance
- L3 Childminding certificate
- L3 Paediatric First Aid certificate
- L2 Safeguarding certificate
- Setting fee sheet
- Terms and conditions
- Full address including post code and borough of your childminding setting
How we’ll work together:
Once you’re approved, we’ll advertise your childcare service on our website and work with you to support our customers.
PACEY membership
We're offering a one-year free PACEY membership to all of our qualified childminders. If you qualified with the Childcare Initiatives team, please get in contact with us at ChildcareTeam@peabody.org.uk for your free annual membership.
Contact us:
Please email Joella or Maxine in our Childcare Initiatives’ Team: ChildcareTeam@peabody.org.uk
Childcare courses
| Course | Date and time |
| OFSTED training |
For our newly qualified childminders, we are providing another service to support you in becoming a registered childminder with OFSTED. This training covers:
Duration: TBC |
| Level 1 Award - Introduction to Early Years settings |
This course is classroom based and will be delivered at Pembury Community Centre, Hackney. It is designed to support your development of knowledge and skills in childcare and child development in early years settings. |
| Level 2 Diploma in Early Years |
You’ll learn a breadth of ideas and key knowledge about early years education to equip you to work with children. |
| Level 2 Award in Safeguarding Children with Knowledge and Awareness of Special Educational Needs. |
This course is online, so you will need access to a laptop or computer to be enrolled. It is designed to support your development of knowledge and skills in safeguarding children with special educational need in early years settings. Course start date: November 2022 Days and times: Wednesday mornings – (time to be confirmed) for six weeks. |
| Level 2 Food Safety course |
Develop an understanding of food safety in the workplace. Duration: two hours. |
| Level 3 Paediatric First Aid |
Learn how to handle first aid situations for children in your care. You’ll get hands-on training too. Duration: two days. The first day is online, and the second is in-person. |
| Level 3 Award in Education and Training |
Become a qualified teaching assistant and work towards becoming a teacher. This award level qualification enables you to go on to complete the full certificate or an apprenticeship. Duration: Five weeks. |
| Level 3 SENCO Training (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) |
This course will give you the ability to work directly with children with special educational needs in nurseries and schools. Duration: Five weeks. |
| Courses (online) | Details |
| Level 1 Childcare |
Learn the fundamental basics of early years education so that you can work with children. |
| Level 2 Support Teaching and Learning in Schools |
This course will enable you to work with children in schools and nurseries. |
| Level 2 Diploma in Early Years |
You’ll learn a breadth of ideas and key knowledge about early years education to equip you to work with children. |
| Level 2 Food Safety course |
Develop an understanding of food safety in the workplace. Duration: two hours. |
| Level 2 Intra-Familial child sex abuse workshop |
Learn what intra-familial child sex abuse is and how to safeguard children from this. A tutor will be delivering this via a virtual class - you'll be given the chance to ask questions and work in groups. |
| Level 2 Safeguarding Children |
Learn about safeguarding issues, how to identify potential issues and the correct processes for reporting concerns. A tutor will be delivering this via a virtual class - you'll be given the chance to ask questions and work in groups. Duration: one to two days depending on group size. |
| Level 3 Childminding | Learn the essential knowledge for pursuing a career in childminding and starting your own childminding business. Duration: 12 weeks. |
| Childcare and English as a second language: importance of play | This course is aimed at people who speak English as a second language and want to learn about childcare and the importance of play. Duration: 18 months and will continue into 2023. |
| Courses (in-person) |
Details |
| Level 3 SENCO Training (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) |
This course will give you the opportunity to work directly with children with special educational needs in nurseries and schools. Duration: five weeks. |
| Level 3 Paediatric First Aid |
Learn how to handle first aid situations for children in your care. You’ll get hands-on training too. Duration: two days. The first day is online, and the second is in-person. |
| Introduction to play therapy training |
This course is an introduction to the different techniques and tools used for therapeutic play to enhance the learning and development of children. Duration: one day. |
| Babysitting course |
Learn the skills and techniques needed to be a babysitter so that you can care for children and families. Suitable for anyone 14 years or older. Duration: six weeks (evenings and weekends). |
| Developing a diverse child and adolescent workforce: an introductory course (CPD64) |
This NHS-funded CPD introductory course will enable you to continue further study. Note that applicants need to be currently working with children in a London borough. Duration: 10 weeks (one day per week in the evening). |
| Childcare Apprenticeships | An apprenticeship allows you to gain practical experience while completing your theoretical work and qualification. Please contact us for more information. |
Would you like to become a childminder?
Childminders care for children aged 0-8 years, usually in their own home, and are registered with Ofsted. It's a great opportunity for anyone who loves looking after children and who would like to be self-employed.
We offer both training and support to become a childminder, including a free level 3 training course 'Preparing to Work in Home-based Childcare Settings' which is combined with level 3 paediatric first aid training.
The training is delivered over 12 weeks on Fridays, 10am to 2pm. We deliver it at a number of our community centres across London. You will receive support and guidance from the childcare team and other specialist partners throughout.
Are you a childminder?
Would you like to work as a team with other childminders to set-up and manage a mobile creche business that can provide childcare at community venues across London?
We support childminders in setting up mobile creches, introduce childminders to each other, support all the stages of business start-up and offer paid work opportunities.
The mobile creche travels to community venues throughout London, providing onsite childcare for children aged 0-8 years while their parents attend training, employment and community events. There are currently three mobile creche businesses and these are available for hire at private functions.
To find out more about any of the Childcare programme, please contact us at ChildcareTeam@peabody.org.uk or call 020 7089 1272.
Free training courses for childminders
There is a range of free accredited childcare learning programmes available throughout the year. These programmes are delivered across Peabody community centres by qualified training teams.
Support Teaching and Learning in schools
This NVQ Level 2-3 course is delivered over 14 to 20 weeks, one day a week. It provides tutorials in a classroom setting, peer learning, text material and a work placement. This course covers safeguarding children, the educational curriculum and managing children's behaviour.
At completion, learners receive a Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE) award and an NVQ level 2-3 qualification - this can equip people to work with children aged 5 to 11 within a school environment.
Babysitting and early years educator
These courses are delivered over 6, 14 and 22 weeks, one to two days a week. Learners receive tutorials, support in peer learning and text materials. Work placements are available for learners in the early years' educator programme and on successful completion learners receive qualifications which range from levels 1, 2 and 3. The babysitting programme is designed specifically for learners aged between 14 and 19 years and it provides an introduction to childcare, including safeguarding children.
At the end of the course, learners receive a 'CACHE' award and have the opportunity to join a babysitting employment agency. The early year’s practitioner programmes cover safeguarding children, the early year’s foundation stage and managing children's behaviour. Qualifications gained are universal and recognised nationwide by employers in childcare.
NHS training courses
NHS London is offering free places on a 10-week training course, Monday afternoon only, for unqualified support staff working with children, young people and their families in the voluntary, NHS, community, education or social care settings (5-7 spaces available).
Testimonials
Some positive comments from people who have attended the NHS: Developing a diverse child and adolescent workforce course (CPD64):
-
Pauline, childcare student
"A year ago, I never thought I'd be feeling as elated as I do now. I am truly thankful to Zaynab and Maxine for informing me about this course which focuses on the emotional care of babies, children, young people and families.
"In September 2019, I embarked on a 2-year undergraduate course funded by the NHS. If I pass the second year with a merit or distinction, I will automatically get a place to do my master's degree."
-
Alicia, early years provider
"Studying for this course has elevated my confidence. Embarking on this step will enhance my career as an early years provider and I can apply these new skills and knowledge.
"I am delighted about this amazing opportunity to gain a diploma and very intrigued to see where this opportunity leads me".
Childminder Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real jobs combined with training so that you can earn while you learn, as well as work towards an accredited qualification. There is no upper age limit for apprentices and all programmes are free to join.
Apprentices can become level 2/3 childcare practitioners or level 3 teaching assistants upon completion. These programmes are delivered over 12 to 18 months. Apprentices are supported by a mentor to complete a portfolio of learning.
- Vanguard Estate childcare
Do you live on or near the Vanguard Estate in Lewisham and are looking for child care? In September 2019, the nursery re-opened on the Vanguard Estate, and we are looking for local parents to get involved. This is your chance to join with other parents to design the right childcare for your community.
New nursery set to open
November 2022 will mark the start of the Three Butterflies Nursery's new adventure in Lewisham. Their beautiful newly refurbished building is conveniently located in South-East London, a short distance from St Johns, Brockley, New Cross and Deptford Bridge stations and close to many bus routes. For more information, visit the Three Butterflies website.