FTZ Babytragen - the first babywearing school with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification (05.10.18)

Post in einer Internat. Babywearing Group

Following a few requests for more information about FTZ Babytragen and the DIN EN ISO quality management certification we recently underwent we put together some information. Thank you to Wibke Hott for helping us with the translation.

FTZ Babytragen - the first babywearing school with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification

In May 2018, FTZ Babytragen, the babywearing school and CPD training centre based in Mainz, Germany, became the first babywearing school and organisation of its kind worldwide, to be awarded DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Years of hard work paid off when DVWO, the German umbrella organisation for further education and training providers, signed off on the quality mark for FTZ Babytragen for the successful introduction and implementation of a comprehensive quality management system across the organisation and all its 'products'.

So, why would a babywearing school need a quality management system?

FTZ- Babytragen offers babywearing consultancy courses as well as CPD training workshops for babywearing consultants and other professionals in the industry and related fields.

The origins of these training workshops and courses date back to 1998 and the work of LANA Schweiz (Susi Milz). In 2008, following a take over, Sonja Wermbter moved FTZ Babytragen to Mainz, Germany, and continued to develop and expand on the original courses and workshops in close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals.

FTZ Babytragen approaches babywearing from a holistic angle, bringing together scientific research in the fields of medicine, physiology, biology, neuropsychology and early years development, as well as attachment theory and pedagogy. The courses and training programme focuses on the continuous development of skills and competency in; babywearing and infant handling, wrapping/carrying technique, a thorough understanding of the underpinning theory and its medical foundation, interpersonal skills and an openness towards new challenges and special requirements.

Today FTZ Babytragen delivers a varied course and training programme in 8 countries in 7 languages, building strong connections and collaborations with health care institutes, organisations and universities. Earlier this year Sonja and her team finalised the thorough evaluation of a 5 year pilot project, researching the use of carrying aids in nurseries and kindergardens, leading to the rolling out of specialist training courses for nursery and early years staff and their organisations.

In addition to interested parents wanting to share their passion for babywearing, the FTZ Babytragen course and training programme is aimed at midwives, nurses, therapists, nursery staff and other health care professionals working with families in a multitude of settings. These professionals already work under strict quality standards.

With branches in Switzerland, Columbia and USA, and multiple trainers for individual training modules teaching in 7 different languages around the world, it was a logical step to introduce and implement a comprehensive quality management system across the organisation and all its products, including the babywearing consultancy training courses and individual CPD training workshops such as 'pregnancy support wrapping after FTZB', 'babywearing & the pelvic floor'.

The thorough QM standards and evaluation tools help FTZ Babytragen to ensure consistency, transparency and accountability on all levels through standardised training content and high quality teaching by all FTZ Babytragen trainers across the programme, and thus work towards its mission of establishing babywearing in mainstream society to share the many benefits of babywearing.

FTZ Babytragen demonstrates its commitment to the ongoing professional development not only of the babywearing industry but also of those working in and around it. As DVWO states: "For life-long learning it is important to have quality development and -control across educational sectors and providers. It requires focussed and consequent development of quality strategies, which are transparent for the clients and customers alike."

FTZB babywearing consultants and CPD course participants have access to support and help in their work, including regular supervision, for both, the content and technical delivery of their consultancies, and also their personal health and wellbeing through emotional first aid (EEH).

It is through this tightly knitted support network that FTZ Babytragen is able to follow through the quality assurance of the DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification all the way to the individual clients and families meeting with FTZB babywearing consultants in 1:1 sessions and follow up visits.

For more information about FTZ Babytragen and their course and training programme please see www.ftzbabytragen.de