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How do I book an in-house training course for the Care Home I work in?
Just telephone us and we'll sort out dates which suit us both.
How can I book one of your Distance Learning courses?
Most of Dayspring's dementia courses may be taken by Distance Learning, at your own pace. The single exception is Serendipity - the Happy Accident in Creative Working, which is arty and practical and which we haven't yet found a way to deliver by mail.
Use our Courses Overview or Course Breakdown pages to determine which you want to take. Just let us know which course(s) you want to do, with your name, address and telephone number or email. And either use the PayPal button (no account needed) or send us a cheque for the deposit or full payment.
How much does it cost?
In line with our educational mission, an individual Distance Learning course costs only £42 (except for Wellspring and the new Special Wellspring for Managers). There are discounts available for taking multiple courses. You pay £42 when you enrol and that covers you for one course. You may, if you wish, pay any balance (for more than one course) as you go along - at £10 each month.
Wellspring, Advanced Training in Person-Centred Care of People with Dementia, costs £80 but may also be paid for as you go.
Special Wellspring, for Senior Managers, costs £200. Extra modules may be taken at £15 per module if required. There is a 10% reduction for registered charities (please provide charity number).
Discounts for more than one course (except Wellspring and Special Wellspring - contact our office):
Take two courses and, instead of £84, you pay only £78
Take three courses and instead of £126, you pay only £116
Take four courses and instead of £168, you pay only £156
Take five courses and instead of £210, you pay only £196
Take six courses and instead of £252, you pay only £236
Take seven courses and instead of £294, you pay only £274
If you want to take 8 or more courses, we shall give you a special price!
Help! I'm confused by the Paypal buttons.
They confused us, too! If you prefer, just pay the standard rate for all your courses (£42, except for Wellspring, which is £80, and Special Wellspring, which is normally £200), and we'll refund the correct amount. Staff holidays excepted, we aim to do so quickly: however, our admin person also does in-house training sessions, so please don't worry if it takes a little longer.
What is included in the price?
We include all teaching materials, including specially written texts and articles by experts. We can also recommend background reading (although this is not essential as our own texts are all you actually need).
The services of a Dayspring tutor are included and (s)he will stay with you throughout your learning with us. You can speak to her/him at times we shall advise you. Your tutor will mark your assignments and make helpful suggestions as you go along. Your marked assignments will be returned to you promptly.
You are also entitled to a copy of The Salix Dementia Trust/Dayspring newsletter every quarter throughout your learning.
How long will it take for my booking to be processed so I can start learning?
We aim to let you have the first learning materials, by post, within the week, so that you may start right away.
Are there any entry requirements for your courses?
No, not really. It does help if you have a little practical experience of people with dementia. For Brainwaves - Theory & Practice of Dementia for Nurses, you should either be a nurse or have other scientific qualifications. For Challenges in Practice you should have first taken our Learning Matters - Core Skills in Dementia course or another of similar value.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Distance Learning?
The disadvantages are that you are on your own (although you do have a personal tutor to encourage you!) and have to motivate yourself to get started and keep going. It is easier for some people to learn in a group with their workmates - a good laugh and hearing other people's stories helps learning. Your tutor can help you strategise, to turn this way of learning to your advantage. Also see our Study Tips.
There are also significant advantages, which make distance learning the preferred method for many students. Those of us who find auditory learning a little more difficult can concentrate better when reading through material on a Distance Learning Course. Perhaps you have no time to attend an in-house course? With Distance Learning you can take as long as you like, although you must be your own timekeeper if you are a nurse doing courses for PREP.
A Distance Learning course tends to go into things in a bit more depth and gives you lots of opportunities to consolidate your learning by self-tests and written assignments. You can also mail, telephone or email your tutor (who will stay with you throughout your learning with us) and ask questions or just get a bit of encouragement.
Are you NCVQ or City and Guilds Accredited?
No: we are, officially, too good! Our courses are too specialised to fit into the vocational training background of NVQs or SVQs and of City and Guilds (in Care). We are not qualifying you for what you can already do, we are teaching you new things and having you reflect on your practice and the issues around it.
I'm a nurse. Are Dayspring courses suitable for PREP?
Of course: we'll even give you writing-up hints if you wish! You can do some of your PREP requirement with us, or all of it.
Do I have to buy a lot of books?
Each course is self-contained with our own expertly-written texts. You do not need to buy any books - although we may recommend you look at certain books from time to time (usually for extra information about a topic in which you are especially interested). These are generally available from a library - consider an inter-library loan, if the book you want isn't in local library stock - and your learning will not depend on your reading them!
How are courses taught?
We teach by mailing you written material for your course - this is usually in two or more sections so you need not feel overwhelmed at first. Each separate unit (on one topic) has a number of self-test questions which you should think about and try to answer, and, at the end of the section is an assignment to be completed and returned to your tutor for comment and marking. This is an essential part of the teaching method and you will find your tutor extremely helpful in making sure you are clear on the material. Your original answers are returned to you promptly so that you may benefit whilst the material is still fresh in your mind.
Any questions you may have will be dealt with straight away - by post, telephone or e-mail.
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If you would like further information, please contact us on:
01577 863824
Internationally: +44 1577 863824
enquiries@day-spring.co.uk |
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