If you are a nanny, both courses are open to you as options, and you may be wondering which one to take.
What the courses have in common:
Both are certified RIE courses, which means they are a standardized curriculum and can only be taught by a RIE Associate.
Both will help you learn more about Magda Gerber's Educaring Approach (RIE).
Both are open to both beginners and experts.
Both are taught on the highly accessible Canvas Instructure platform, the same one used by many universities.
Both are designed to be accessible to people working and/or parenting full time.
Both include access to office hours and one-on-one phone time with instructor.
Both courses offer payment in installments and opportunities for financial aid.
Both provide a digital certificate (but neither will certify you as a RIE professional...see the RIE Pathway if you are interested in that).
Nurturing Nanny is shorter and more affordable than Foundations, but Foundations is more comprehensive.
Many nannies appreciate that the Nurturing Nanny course content and certificate are specific to nannies, which helps them build their portfolio.
On the other hand, if you are interested in implementing this approach in other ways than nanny work—for example, as a parent coach or in a childcare center—you might find Foundations a more appropriate place to start. Many nannies take Nurturing Nanny first and then take Foundations if they want to go deeper.
Below is a chart that may help you understand what the two courses offer:
Nurturing NannyFoundationsTotal course hours12 hours60 hoursCost$450$1395Intended audienceNannies or those training to be nannies only. Includes specific applications and discussions for nannies.Many different professionals that work with children, including nannies, as well as parentsSynchronous Zoom hours8 hours24 hoursStudent commitment in hours per week (includes Zoom time and independent study)34-6Topics covered
Respect and Gross Motor Development
Play and Sleep
The Importance of Caregiving
Discipline and Working With Parents
Each of the four weeks has more than one topic, and thus is not as in depth as Foundations.
Respecting Babies
Observation
Attachment Theory
Gross Motor Development
Play & Fine Motor Development
Environment
Touch, Diapering, Dressing
Feeding & Bathing
Sleep
Infant-Infant Interactions and Conflicts
Group Care
Working With Adults
An entire week is devoted to each topic, so there is time to go in depth.Required readingRead/listen to one RIE book of your choice, cover to coverRead/listen to specific, topic-focused selections from 4 different books each week. Around 3x as much reading as Nurturing Nanny.Required assignmentsPractice skills on the job, discuss in class (nothing to write or turn in)Turn in assignments every week.
weekly journal entries
four field observations
two self-evaluations
a 5-minute presentation on a topic of your choice
other smaller assignments
Tech requirementsRequires a stable internet connection. Desktop computer recommended, although most tasks can be completed with a mobile device. Mobile app access.Requires a stable internet connection. Desktop computer recommended, although most tasks can be completed with a mobile device. Mobile app access.CertificateDigital certificate verifies that you took the course.Digital certificate verifies that you took the course. More informationMore information
Do you have questions remaining? Feel free to reach out to me for more information. I hope to see you in class soon!