3 reasons why you should send your helper to Arrow for infant care training
by Kathy Lam
"I am worth it. Please train the person taking care of me."
One day, my boss chatted with a new employer (who was pregnant), asking her why she did not enroll her helper in Arrow’s infant Care Class for helpers. She replied, “My Husband said it’s too expensive. ”
After hearing that, I also asked myself, "Is it too expensive?" Here are three good reasons to send your helper to Arrow's Infant Care Class.
Class Size: I used to teach infant care for another organisation, and discovered that some organisations, when they hold Infant care class for English speaking helpers from overseas, have a class size of at least 8-12 helpers. The trainer does not have enough time to check and coach every helper in the skills of infant care, affirming them for areas they are doing well and pointing out areas where they need to improve. The class size is too big so the trainer doesn't notice the problems they are having during the practice time.
Arrow’s Infant Care Class for helpers intentionally will not exceed 5 students at one time. We explain the theory and then practice it. I coach the students one by one. Helpers also have enough time to ask all their question related to infant care Some even bring a list of questions written by their employers. I welcome and answer all of their questions.
Skills Testing: During the class I make every student demonstrate that they have correctly learned to carry out the skill. They are drilled until they can do it correctly, and only then, do they pass and receive a certificate.
Employer Verification: In addition, Arrow put seven videos (arrow instructional videos for helpers) on YouTube, showing how to bathe a baby, prepare formula milk, bottle feed and burp a baby, change diaper, wash face, wash baby’s mouth and do umbilical cord care. Through the video, employers will know what skills we are teaching and observe how I teach their helpers infant care. Employers can view the videos and know if their helper is doing what I teach them. In fact, it is good for both employer and helpers to learn from the same trainer, then the way they take care of the infant will be the same. This will reduce conflicts due to different methods of infant care.
Some employers says, it’s no good to apply any classes for helpers. The more knowledge and skills they know, they easier it will be for them to apply to Canada. I do not agree, because ...
- Not all helpers want to apply to Canada (many aren't even qualified to apply.)
- Helpers are very thankful to the employers who are willing to enroll them to the infant care class. It increases the helper’s sense of belonging and attachment to the family she works for.
- Helpers who attend the infant class feel more confident in caring for the infant. And employers feel more confident about entrusting their precious infant to a helper with knowledge and skill of infant care.
- Even if the helper will apply to work in other country someday, at the time when the helper will leave, employer’s kid is no longer infants. The money the employer spends on the helper’s infant care class provides greater protection for their kid during the infant stage. In a sense, you aren't investing in your helper, but in your child.
It’s never too expensive to invest in your helper or your child.
