Respectful Care: A Course for Caregivers

A 12-Session Online Training for Childcare Practitioners, Parents and Professionals working with children

Discover a new way of being alongside babies and children - one rooted in presence, respect, and relationship.

This year-long professional and personal development journey is inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. Emmi Pikler, whose approach to early childhood continues to transform how we understand care, movement, and emotional connection.

Whether you are a childcare practitioner, parent, childminder, social worker, health visitor or teacher this course will help you deepen your practice and rediscover the joy and meaning of truly being alongside children.

What You’ll Experience

Over 12 sessions, you’ll join a small group (no more than 12 participants) for live, interactive online sessions, supported by readings, reflections, and personal guidance.

This is not just a training, it’s a community of learners growing together through shared experience, curiosity, and care.

Each month includes:

• One 3-hour live online session with Charlotte
• Weekly readings and reflective tasks to support both professional growth and personal well-being
• A one-hour monthly Q&A session, exploring real case studies from your own experiences
•  A sense of being known, celebrated, and supported, because relationships are at the heart of the natural approach
• An optional chance to join in person, in nature for the 12th and final group session

Course Diary

Prior to the course start, I will schedule a 1-2-1 call with you, to get to know you better - where you are at on your journey and what you hope to gain from the course.

1. Overview - We will begin to look at the basic principles and how they apply to our relationship with babies and children.

2. History and Context - This will give you a grounded understanding of where all these ideas originated and the richness of their foundation

3. Observation and Thinking Together - An essential component of our time with babies and young children, we will look together at videos and discuss both observation techniques and working alongside our teams to support the child.

4. Caregiving Activities - How relationship, slowing down, building trust and quality of touch are essential to ensure babies and children thrive, developing autonomy and a sense of self 

5. Physical Development - A look at how autonomous motor development unlocks a deeper relationship for babies and children with their physicality and build confidence as they explore the world around them.

6. Play - We will investigate what “free” play really looks like, spend time discussing the essential part play has in childhood and find out more about play activities and objects which foster deep autonomous learning.

7. Attachment Theory - A deep dive into theories from the very start of enquiry into attachment right up to present day groundbreaking ideas.

8. Nervous System Regulation - How the polyvagal theory gives us insight into the way a child’s nervous system informs their relationships, play and all round development. And how it affects us as caregivers. 

9. Sleep - We will discuss this fundamental element of early life, of all life in depth and I will share techniques which assist everyone in understanding how to help children access quality sleep.

10. Socialisation - A refreshing take on how to help children navigate their social worlds based on Pikler and RIE theories. 

11. Building Community & Practical Applications - How we take this work forwards in our work and lives.

12. Nature and it’s vital role - This concluding session has the option to be in person, in the Lake District within a “retreat” style weekend including various well being sessions. For those who cannot access this (there will be accommodation and travel costs of course) the three hour course part will be delivered in a hybrid format - both in person at the retreat centre and online.

Each session builds upon the last, creating a strong foundation for authentic, responsive, and compassionate practice, with children and within yourself.

By the End of the Course

You will:

• Feel empowered to support babies and children with confidence, compassion, and clarity
• Understand how to create calm, respectful environments that nurture autonomy and trust
• Gain a deeper sense of purpose and connection in your work and relationships
• Carry forward a new foundation for life and practice

“Finding the work of Emmi Pikler helped me to find a place within myself that made everything I'd wondered about being alongside babies and children make sense. It changed my life and gave me a foundation to build strong practice upon.”
— Charlotte Shelley, Pikler Professional and Course Leader

Practical Details

• Course duration: 12 months

• Start date: March 2026

• Format: Live online sessions (3 hours monthly) + weekly readings + monthly Q&A (Sessions will be recorded, for those that cannot make the live sessions)

• Group size: Maximum 12 participants

• Cost: £68 per month (commitment to attend all sessions). Book and pay for the first session below, you will then receive a monthly invoice to make payment for each session on the 1st of each month. Pay in Full before the first session and Save 10% (contact me to book via charlotte@charlotteshelleyalongside.co.uk for your invoice)

• Contact: charlotte@charlotteshelleyalongside.co.uk

• Group Bookings - If you are a nursery or group looking to take multiple seats on the course. Please contact me to arrange a private session.

Session Dates: