Curriculum

Curriculum

Resident Foundational Nanny (Level 1)

MD 101: Basic Care Skills

This course is designed to equip students with the essential practical skills vital for a nanny’s role when working with young children. The course objectives include mastering fundamental caregiving abilities pertinent to early childhood professionals, whether in external environments or domestic settings. Throughout this course, students will be encouraged to self-assess, identifying their strengths and pinpointing opportunities for future professional development.

MD 102: Professional Skills & Vocational Identity

This course emphasizes collaborative engagement with families, fostering the ability to work as part of a team dedicated to the child’s best interests. Students will learn to navigate the delicate balance between professional boundaries and nurturing care, embodying the concept of ‘professional love.’ With a focus on understanding both parental concerns and the multifaceted role of a nanny, the curriculum ensures that graduates are empathetic, prepared, and proactive in their approach to health maintenance and child development. By setting personal milestones, reflecting on vocational identity, and mastering employment transition strategies, students will be equipped to tackle professional challenges and build successful careers in childcare.

MD204: Safeguarding & Child Protection

It is fundamental that early years practitioners are aware of legislative and statutory guidance for safeguarding and know what to do if they suspect a child is at risk of harm, as well as having knowledge of factors that might place children more at risk. While safeguarding principles will occur throughout courses, the core principles will be covered with students before they venture into placement, assessing them on their familiarity with the key policies and processes of safeguarding. 

Practitioners are instrumental in keeping children safe and protecting them from harm. This course will help students to identify the signs and symptoms of child abuse alongside the key factors that might make children more vulnerable. As part of this, policy and procedure will be explored to develop understanding of these principles, with students recognizing their roles both as students and as qualified practitioners in ensuring that children in their care are and feel safe.

MD 105: Nutrition, Food, & Cooking Foundations

The focus of this unit is to develop basic cooking skills, a fundamental knowledge of the nutritional values of the foods used, and the safety and hygiene skills needed to prepare meals. The aim of this course is to give students the basic knowledge, skills, and confidence to prepare simple nutritious meals and develop an awareness of main food groups. In addition, this unit will cover fundamental underpinning knowledge of the kitchen equipment and utensils and safe and hygienic practices when preparing food.

This course includes a special focus is on weaning and meal planning to ensure that children and babies have a balanced diet. As babies can indicate intolerances or allergies when introducing new foods, students will learn allergy awareness. Students will obtain basic knowledge, skills, and confidence to introduce appropriate foods in a safe and timely way to developmentally ready babies.

OSHA compliant Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certification

Certified Foundational Nanny (Level 2)

MD 103: Human Development: Conception to Five Years

This course explores the profound impact of early nurturing and educational experiences on a child’s lifelong trajectory. Students will delve into the essential developmental milestones from birth through early childhood, understanding how these underpin behaviors and inform caregiving practices. With an in-depth examination of prenatal development, the course illuminates the interplay between genetic, environmental, and maternal health factors, alongside the transition to life post-birth. Incorporating the wisdom of renowned child development theorists, the course equips future childcare professionals with the ability to discern typical and atypical developmental patterns, ensuring readiness to support each child’s unique journey towards growth and learning.

MD 203: Exploring, Inventing, & Learning through Play

This course is designed to equip nannies, serving as early childhood educators, with the ability to incorporate play-based learning into their pedagogy. Students will learn to merge established pedagogical theories with creative play and hands-on experiences, fostering an enriching home learning environment. The curriculum includes practical strategies for integrating foundational mathematics and advancing literacy and STEAM education through playful engagement. Students will also develop observational skills to tailor educational opportunities to individual learning styles and needs. Additionally, the course addresses strategies for identifying and overcoming potential learning barriers, ensuring an inclusive and adaptive educational setting.

MD 205: Childhood Transitions

This course is tailored for nannies and childcare professionals focusing on the dynamics of change in children’s lives. It delves into the psychology of child transitions, offering strategies to support young ones as they encounter new environments and developmental milestones, such as starting school or moving from diapers to toilet use. Key to the course is identifying signs of readiness for change, ensuring children are supported through toilet training or the shift to a big-kid bed. Practical planning for travel with children is covered, equipping students to handle short commutes and long-distance journeys, including how to manage emergency situations effectively. Finally, the course teaches methods to assist families through moves, welcome new family dynamics, and cultivate resilience in children, ensuring they can confidently navigate and adapt to life’s various changes.

MD 106: Foundational Nanny in Residence

This practicum course is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Nannies in Residence (NIR) will engage in active employment, either within a family home or an alternative childcare setting, to apply their cumulative learning in a real-world context. Throughout their placement, NIRs will meticulously document their experiences, curating a comprehensive portfolio that evidences their proficiency in delivering best practices in childcare.

Key to this writing-intensive course is the development of robust documentation skills. NIRs will become adept at recording detailed observations, crafting reflective narratives, and systematically compiling reports that showcase their growth and competencies as a nanny. Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, NIRs will receive ongoing mentorship and performance evaluations, ensuring a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous professional and personal development.

Resident Advanced Nanny (Level 3)

MD 201: Intermediate Care Skills

Building upon the foundational competencies acquired in “Basic Care Skills”, this course is structured to advance students’ practical knowledge and application within a home setting. It specifically addresses the nuanced demands of individualized childcare.

A central tenet of professional nanny care, the course expands on a variety of essential skills. These include the appropriate methods for managing diverse hair types, the steps to take upon the discovery of head lice, and the techniques for ensuring that a child’s nails are safely trimmed, and ears are gently cleaned. Crucial self-care skills such as oral hygiene are emphasized, preparing students to not only support daily dental care routines but also to adeptly handle a child’s initial medical appointments with dentists or doctors.

Going beyond basic care, the course delves into fostering independence and making informed choices through structured sleep routines, as well as the orchestration of tranquil and engaging bath times and mealtimes. These practices are aimed at nurturing a child’s autonomy, decision-making capabilities, and respectful interactions with others.

MD 304: Navigating Grief, Trauma, & Challenging Family Systems

This course focuses on supporting children through personal grief, trauma, and the influence of complex family dynamics. This course delves into family system theory and the effects of family challenges on child development and well-being. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to identify and respond to signs of distress in children, learn strategies to foster a stable and nurturing environment, and explore effective ways to support children’s emotional and psychological needs within the context of their family systems.

MD 305: Children’s Literature, Music, & Theatre

This course is designed to immerse nanny professionals in the world of early literacy, music, and drama to foster holistic development in children. This course teaches nannies how to nurture a love for reading and writing from an early age, using phonics and reading mechanics as foundational tools. Students will delve into the rich tapestry of children’s literature, learning to select and analyze stories that enhance learning and literacy. They will also discover how to incorporate music into daily care, choosing songs that build auditory and rhythmic skills, and using theatrical play to boost children’s communication and creativity. The course culminates in teaching nannies to create and assess educational content, ensuring that storytelling, music, and drama activities are both developmentally appropriate and culturally enriching.

MD 206: Advanced Nanny in Residence 1

This practicum course, the second in the series, is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Nannies in Residence (NIR) will engage in active employment, either within a family home or an alternative childcare setting, to apply their cumulative learning in a real-world context. Throughout their placement, NIRs will meticulously document their experiences, curating a comprehensive portfolio that evidences their proficiency in delivering best practices in childcare.

Key to this writing-intensive course is the development of robust documentation skills. NIRs will become adept at recording detailed observations, crafting reflective narratives, and systematically compiling reports that showcase their growth and competencies as a nanny. Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, NIRs will receive ongoing mentorship and performance evaluations, ensuring a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous professional and personal development.

Certified Advanced Nanny (Level 4)

MD 402: Applying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

This course will support students’ competence in incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into care programs.  Students will be encouraged to think creatively about how their approaches to STEM can be embedded in their practice with children, and to demonstrate and explore how excitement in science can generate children’s engagement and learning. This course helps students master basic science concepts and skills represented in four domains: Science Knowledge, Science Process Skills and Creative Thinking, Attitudes and Values in Science, and Science Applications and Technology.

MD 403: Cognitive and Emotional Development

This course is structured to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical strategies to understand and implement effective sleep training methods. We delve into the physiological and psychological aspects of sleep, unraveling the developmental needs that guide sleep patterns from infancy through childhood.

Throughout the term, students will learn to assess sleep issues critically and develop tailored sleep training plans that consider the unique needs of each child and family. Ethical considerations, the impact of sleep on overall health, and the role of caregivers in shaping sleep behaviors will be discussed in depth. The course will foster a comprehensive understanding of how to support children and families in navigating the challenges of sleep training. Students will emerge from this course as informed practitioners ready to contribute to the well-being of those they serve.

MD 310: Instructional & Nurture Technology

This course is designed to develop skills and techniques needed for the selection, utilization, and production of child instructional/developmental materials and for application and integration of technology and media to various areas of supporting child wellness, learning, and development. 

MD 306: Advanced Nanny in Residence 2

This practicum course, the third in the series, is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Nannies in Residence (NIR) will engage in active employment, either within a family home or an alternative childcare setting, to apply their cumulative learning in a real-world context. Throughout their placement, NIRs will meticulously document their experiences, curating a comprehensive portfolio that evidences their proficiency in delivering best practices in childcare.

Key to this writing-intensive course is the development of robust documentation skills. NIRs will become adept at recording detailed observations, crafting reflective narratives, and systematically compiling reports that showcase their growth and competencies as a nanny. Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, NIRs will receive ongoing mentorship and performance evaluations, ensuring a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous professional and personal development.

Resident Mayflower Nanny (Level 5)

MD 301: Advanced Care Skills

This course, the third in a series on care skills, covers a variety of topics including advanced pediatric health management, precise medication administration, and effective emergency responsiveness in childcare settings. Students will learn to develop and maintain rigorous deep-cleaning routines that safeguard the health and well-being of children, as well as organize toy rotation systems to support a child’s development and minimize clutter. The curriculum also includes planning comprehensive household management strategies to ensure a well-organized care environment. Further, the course delves into the principles of forest school learning to utilize outdoor spaces for child development and teaches the importance of self-regulation, along with the caregiver’s role in co-regulating behavior to foster emotional resilience in children.

MD 404: History of Child Welfare, Education, & Nurturing Practices

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the history of child welfare and nurturing practices, in the United States. The course will cover significant milestones in child welfare, including the establishment of the first orphanages, the evolution of foster care, and the legal reforms that have shaped child protection policies. We will examine the varying societal and cultural perceptions of children’s roles and needs across different historical periods and how these have influenced caregiving practices. Through this course, students will develop critical thinking skills and a historical perspective necessary to appreciate the complexities of child welfare. They will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how historical trends and theories continue to shape contemporary practices and policies regarding the care and nurturing of children.

MD 403: Advanced Infant and Child Sleep Training

This course is structured to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical strategies to understand and implement effective sleep training methods. We delve into the physiological and psychological aspects of sleep, unraveling the developmental needs that guide sleep patterns from infancy through childhood.

Throughout the term, students will learn to assess sleep issues critically and develop tailored sleep training plans that consider the unique needs of each child and family. Ethical considerations, the impact of sleep on overall health, and the role of caregivers in shaping sleep behaviors will be discussed in depth. The course will foster a comprehensive understanding of how to support children and families in navigating the challenges of sleep training. Students will emerge from this course as informed practitioners ready to contribute to the well-being of those they serve.

MD 406: Mayflower Nanny in Residence 1

This practicum course, the fourth in the series, is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Nannies in Residence (NIR) will engage in active employment, either within a family home or an alternative childcare setting, to apply their cumulative learning in a real-world context. Throughout their placement, NIRs will meticulously document their experiences, curating a comprehensive portfolio that evidences their proficiency in delivering best practices in childcare.

Key to this writing-intensive course is the development of robust documentation skills. NIRs will become adept at recording detailed observations, crafting reflective narratives, and systematically compiling reports that showcase their growth and competencies as a nanny. Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, NIRs will receive ongoing mentorship and performance evaluations, ensuring a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous professional and personal development.

Mayflower Nanny (Level 6)

MD 408: Theory & Practice of Doula & Maternity Care

This is a comprehensive course designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted role of doulas in supporting childbirth and maternal health. This course offers a historical and cultural examination of doula practices, acknowledging the rich diversity and evolution across global healthcare systems. Students will delve into the physiological aspects of childbirth, equipping themselves with vital support skills to aid in comfort, advocacy, and guidance during labor. Communication and cultural competence are central to the curriculum, preparing students to engage effectively and ethically with clients and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the course emphasizes the importance of ongoing professional development, ensuring that graduates remain proficient in the latest doula practices and standards.

MD 409: Childcare Leadership, Management, & Entrepreneurship

This course is designed for individuals aiming to take on supervisory and leadership roles in early childhood education settings. The course equips learners with leadership skills crucial for guiding teams and shaping positive childcare environments. It delves into management practices specific to daycares and preschools, effective communication strategies for working with diverse teams, and key aspects of educational administration, such as curriculum oversight. Financial acumen is emphasized, with a focus on principles essential for the economic health of a childcare enterprise, alongside marketing tactics to attract the right clientele. Lastly, students will gain a thorough understanding of the legalities involved in childcare services and learn to craft and implement robust business strategies.

MD 410: Advanced Safeguarding and Child Protection (Residential, 1 credit)

This course is crafted to empower nannies with the essential skills required to safeguard children from extraordinary threats, with a heightened focus on those considered high-value targets such as offspring of celebrities or political dignitaries. A critical component of the course is an intensive, hands-on evasive driving experience, designed to equip caregivers with the ability to navigate and escape potential threats while on the road. Additionally, the program includes practical self-defense training, incorporating realistic drills that involve protecting mock children. This rigorous approach ensures that nannies are well-prepared to respond effectively to adverse situations, ensuring the children’s safety under all circumstances.

MD 105L: Nutrition, Food, & Cooking Foundations LAB (Residential, 1 credit)

This lab offers a dynamic, hands-on culinary experience focused on enhancing practical cooking skills for nutritionally balanced meals and celebratory events. Students will delve into interactive sessions that emphasize health-conscious meals, festive food preparation, creative presentation, and intermediate to advanced cooking techniques.

MD 313: Art of Sewing (Residential, 1 credit)

In this course, students will gain competencies in both hand and machine sewing. With hands on learning, Students will produce a variety of samples that demonstrate skills applicable to a domestic environment, such as hemming, attaching buttons, and mending tears in fabric. Students will learn a fundamental set of sewing techniques. Further into the course, the students will craft several items, including a child’s apron.

MD 411: Mayflower Nanny in Residence 2

This practicum course, the fifth (and final) in the series, is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Nannies in Residence (NIR) will engage in active employment, either within a family home or an alternative childcare setting, to apply their cumulative learning in a real-world context. Throughout their placement, NIRs will meticulously document their experiences, curating a comprehensive portfolio that evidences their proficiency in delivering best practices in childcare.

Key to this writing-intensive course is the development of robust documentation skills. NIRs will become adept at recording detailed observations, crafting reflective narratives, and systematically compiling reports that showcase their growth and competencies as a nanny. Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, NIRs will receive ongoing mentorship and performance evaluations, ensuring a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous professional and personal development.