The Behavioural and Emotional Skills for School Transition (BESST) Program

Program details

Program description

The Behavioural and Emotional Skills for School Transition (BESST) Program trains early childhood educators on developing children’s self-regulation. The BESST Program aims to provide educators with an understanding of the guidance approach as an alternative to behaviourism, an understanding of a model of human needs, and strategies for working with children with challenging behaviours. Target outcomes of the BESST Program are for educators to develop effective plans to foster children’s self-regulation and forge accepting and respectful relationships with children. The BESST Program is underpinned by theoretical frameworks such as self-determination theory, guidance theory, and the Phoenix Cups framework. 

The BESST Program is a 7.5-hour training offered online or in person.

Detailed cost

• Online, self-paced course: $298 per person (including GST). Price includes individual login to learning management system and course. 
• Face-to-face group training: from $498 per person (including GST), depending on number of participants and location. Quote will be provided upon request to provider. 
• Supplementary resources: Participants can choose to purchase an additional textbook pack from $198 that includes a variety of texts written by Dr Louise Porter. Quote will be provided upon request. 

Implementation considerations

• Target population: educators working with children up to six years of age. 
• Staffing: services should consider the cost of backfill in determining the cost of accessing this training (either online or face-to-face).
• Factors to consider: the face-to-face group training workshop requests all educators from a single kindergarten (or a community of educators) to be in attendance to encourage professional collaboration and critical reflection.
• Tools and systems: participants will need access to internet connection and a device with an up-to-date browser for the online training. ‘Thinkific labs’ is the Learning Management System used by Phoenix Support for Educators to deliver online programs, and live webinars are accessible via this learning platform. For in-person on-site training, a project and venue are required. 

VEYLDF alignment

Item uses these practice principles

• Respectful relationships and responsive engagement
• Equity and diversity, Integrated teaching and learning approaches
• Assessment for learning and development 
• Partnerships with families, Reflective practice
• High expectations of every child
• Partnership with professionals

Item responds to these sub-outcomes

Children become strong in their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.