Course Description

Enrolment on our Sleep Practitioner Programme gives you access to both the eLearning platform, and to the live sessions.

The live course follows a series of 10 weekly sessions, with intakes 4 times per year (Januray, April, July and October).

If you prefer to follow the eLearning route, you can continue with this enrolment. If you also want to attend the live sessions, then please contact us courses.sleep@childcarestudies.co.uk so that we can book you in and sending you the joining instructions.

Alternatively, you can book directly through our website https://childcarestudies.co.uk/sleep-practitioner-programme/ (you will still have access to this eLearning element of the course).

Senior teacher

Julie Heginbottom

Julie Heginbottom has 23 years’ experience in childcare including as a nanny, maternity nurse and sleep consultant. She holds an NNEB, a degree in Early Years and is a qualified nutritional therapist, childcare tutor and assessor. Julie has worked extensively with many different families through her own consultancy and aims to empower parents, finding solutions that fit their lifestyle and philosophy rather than advocating a one-size-fits-all approach. As a trainer Julie applies these same principles, prioritising up-to-date, essential information but allowing each student to find their own niche. Julie has collaborated with HATA on a wide range of courses, bringing us her considerable experience and perspective as a nanny and maternity nurse.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Before you start

    • Welcome

    • How to use this course

    • Assignments | Support

    • Assignments

    • Group chat

    • Sleep course introduction
  • 2

    Chapter 1 The Sleep Practitioner

    • Learning objectives

    • What is a sleep practitioner

    • Challenges

    • Realistic expectations

    • Cultural differences

    • Confidentiality

    • Safeguarding

    • Quiz - chapter 1

    • Chapter 1 Slide handout

    • Useful resources

    • Ch 1 References
  • 3

    Chapter 2 Physiology of sleep

    • Sleep physiology - learning objectives

    • What is sleep and why we need it

    • Sleep states

    • Sleep regulation

    • Melatonin

    • Cortisol

    • Initial entraining of the circadian rhythm

    • Sleep stages

    • Sleep cycles

    • Newborn sleep cycle

    • Dreams

    • Quiz - chapter 2

    • Ch 2 References

    • Chapter 2 slide handout
  • 4

    Chapter 3 Healthy sleep & Supporting sleep

    • Learning objectives

    • What is healthy sleep

    • Naps

    • Sleep onset latency

    • Sleep deprivation in children

    • Sleep cues and overtiredness

    • Causes

    • Sleep hygiene and bedtimes

    • Feeding

    • Diet and exercise

    • Light

    • Noise

    • Temperature

    • Swaddling

    • Swaddling video

    • Slings

    • Other tools

    • SIDS

    • Sleep bag guide

    • Quiz - chapter 3a

    • Quiz - chapter 3b

    • Chapter 3 slide handout

    • Ch 3 References

    • Dunstan method of translating sound reflexes
  • 5

    Chapter 4 Conditions preventing good sleep

    • Learning objectives

    • About sleep disorders

    • Insomnia

    • Sleep related breathing disorders

    • Central disorders of hypersomnolence

    • Circadian rhythm disorders

    • Parasomnias

    • Sleep related movement disorders

    • Restless sleep disorder

    • Short term illness

    • Feeding issues

    • MAP - Milk Allergy in Primary Care

    • Specific scenarios

    • Quiz - chapter 4

    • Chapter 4 Slide Handouts

    • Ch 4 References
  • 6

    Chapter 5 Sleep training techniques

    • Learning objectives

    • Secure attachment

    • Techniques in general

    • Conditions preventing healthy sleep

    • Sleep hygiene

    • Further considerations

    • Self soothing

    • Techniques with newborns

    • Dr Harvey Karp's 5s

    • Dream feeding

    • Bed sharing

    • Crying

    • Cry It Out and controlled crying

    • Gradual retreat

    • Pick up put down

    • Rapid return

    • Evidence around crying methods

    • Further techniques

    • Quiz - chapter 5

    • Chapter 5 Slide Handouts

    • Ch 5 References
  • 7

    Chapter 6 Strategies

    • Learning objectives

    • Causes

    • Identifying causes

    • Hypnogram

    • Information to capture

    • Client questionnaire

    • LSCS Questionnaire example

    • Sleep diary

    • Sleep diary templates

    • Sleep regression

    • Growth spurts

    • Separation anxiety

    • Separation anxiety video

    • Strategies

    • Putting together a sleep plan

    • Sleep plans

    • Sleep plan examples

    • Sleep plans

    • Case studies

    • Quiz - chapter 6

    • Chapter 6 slide handouts
  • 8

    Chapter 7 Special cases

    • Learning objectives

    • Premature babies

    • Sleep and ASD

    • Sleep and ADHD

    • Low tone

    • Downs syndrome

    • Cerebral palsy

    • Epilepsy and seizures

    • Twins

    • Sleep routines for twins video

    • Quiz - chapter 7

    • Chapter 7 slide handouts
  • 9

    Chapter 8 Employability

    • Chapter 8 Learning Objectives

    • Self employed HMRC set up

    • Setting up your business

    • Complimentary Consultations

    • Continuing Professional Development

    • Chapter 8 slide handouts

    • Guide to Marketing

    • Introduction to Digital Marketing - Marketing Favour

    • Worksheet - Building a Brand Identity

    • Worksheet - Target Audience
  • 10

    Course completion

    • Congratulations

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