Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education (FINE) program: Level 1
Course description
FINE stands for Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education.
FINE Level 1 is a foundational, education program that mixes formal, informal and interactive teaching methods to introduce the scope and evidence behind infant and family centered developmental care, to identify gaps in knowledge and skills and to share ideas and question assumptions about practice.
FINE programs assist to bridge the gap between theory and practice with a range of learning opportunities that can be adapted to different settings.
What's included?
- textbook
- interactive activities designed to evaluate the application of developmental care in your personal practice and neonatal unit
- links to current evidence
- video and print resources provided in self-directed learning and face to face learning
- a Certificate of Achievement as proof of evidence for continuing professional development
- membership to FINE graduate group with monthly email and provision of current evidence.
Details
Learning mode: Self-directed eLearning, face-to-face or online workshop
Pre-learning components will be made available 6 weeks before the program's virtual workshop date.
Duration: 4 hours (Self-directed learning) | 8 hours (Online workshop)
Course fee: $440 per person (including GST)
Limited number of Rural and First Nations scholarships offered annually.
2027 course dates:
- 12 March 2027 (Virtual)
- 7 May 2027 (Face to face)
- 25 June 2027 (Virtual)
- 28 August 2027 (Virtual)
- 29 October 2027 (Virtual)
- 10 December 2027 (Virtual)
Registrations opening soon.
Contact:
Learning outcomes
The module consists of a variety of resources to support a holistic approach and provide strategies on:
Neuroprotection: Sensitive care helps to stabilise the infant, to protect and promote brain development.
Relationships: Interactions between infant and caregivers, most particularly family members, have a significant impact on child development.
Individualised care: Every infant is unique and individual needs can be interpreted through observation of the behavioural signs that give the infant a voice.
Requirements and scholarships
Requirements for FINE virtual workshops
You must complete all pre-learning components to attend the FINE all-day virtual workshop program. We will check the completion before the workshop and will contact you if the components are missing.
To participate in the virtual program, you will need:
- access to a laptop or desktop computer (note: each registrant must access the program via an individual computer, not shared)
- a working webcam and microphone (to be turned on for the duration of training)
- a stable wifi connection
- a quiet, calm place to participate from
- a doll and some linen (to practice making supportive bedding)
- FINE program resources (hard copies to be posted to registrants in advance)
- snacks.
Rural scholarships applications
To support learning in the non-metropolitan setting for health care professionals employed in the neonatal clinical area, we are pleased to offer two registrations under the Rural Scholarship Program.
The rural scholarship covers the cost of program registration.
How to apply:
- Download the application form
- Submit your application to SCHN-NIDCAPAustralia@health.nsw.gov.au
First Nations scholarship applications
We were delighted to launch a First Nations Neonatal Health Care Professional Scholarship thanks to a generous grant. The scholarship is available for First Nations Neonatal Health Care Professionals to complete:
- FINE First Steps (1 hour eLearning Program) (valued at $109)
- FINE Level 1: One-day workshop + 4-hour pre-learning (virtual) (valued at $440)
- FINE Level 2: 6 month program (virtual) (valued at $2,200)
Please note completion of FINE Level 1 is a perquisite to enrol in FINE 2.
The scholarship covers the costs to complete the program, it does not include the costs of study leave, travel or accommodation.
How to apply:
- Download the application form.
- Submit your application to SCHN-NIDCAPAustralia@health.nsw.gov.au.
