FAQ for Future Childbirth Educators
Q: What if I can’t attend the workshop I am registered for?
A: With express written approval of the Board, payment may be applied to a Birth Boot Camp workshop within 12 months of the workshop you were originally scheduled to attend. If you are not able to attend a workshop within 12 months, all fees are forfeited. Future instructors are allowed to reschedule their training once.
Q: What do I need to bring to the workshop?
A: Paper or a laptop to take notes, 2 bed pillows, comfortable clothing, a jacket or sweater, your own snacks and beverages
Q: How do I get students for my classes?
A: Birth Boot Camp strives to help our teachers fill their classes. We have an accessible and searchable website where all of our instructors are listed. Your training covers not just how to teach classes, but also includes a segment from a marketing professional on some basic self- promotion. Much of your work will be in your own community, too. We encourage you to contact other birth professionals and be part of local community resources like La Leche League or Birth Networks.
Q: How long do I have to complete my certification?
A: We recommend you allow 6-9 months to complete your pre-workshop certification requirements before attending a workshop. Certification should be completed within a year of registration.
Q: When is my re-certification due?
A: Re-certification is due each year on the anniversary of your certification exam date.
Q: How much is it to certify or re-certify?
A: Instructor Certification fees are currently $575 for the workshops in September 2012 and November 2012. Fees for workshops in 2013 will be $775.
The re-certification fee is $125 per year.
Q: Can I make payments?
A: Payment options are noted on the Instructor Application.
Q: Can I be certified with another organization as well ( i.e. CAPPA, DONA, etc.)?
A: We love how educated and informed our instructors are. You are welcome to be certified through different organizations as a Birth Boot Camp instructor as long as there is not a conflict of interest in your classes. We do expect our instructors to teach Birth Boot Camp materials when a class has been advertised as such.
Q: Are students able to make up classes online?
A: One of the advantages of Birth Boot Camp’s access to online classes for the instructor is that your students are able to take up to four missed classes via the internet. While we encourage students to come to every class, we realize that things come up, people must travel, and sometimes people don’t find out about a class until they only have 8 weeks left in their pregnancy. Should a student of yours need to make up a class, you will be given a code for them to do so. It will last one week from the time of issuing.
Q: Can I teach for a shorter period of time than 10 weeks?
A: The Birth Boot Camp curriculum is designed to be taught as a 10 week course and instructors should prepare to teach this course in a full 10 week period.
Q: How much do I charge for classes?
A:We recommend pricing of at least $295 per couple. This is a quality class with updated materials. Instructors agree to no predatory pricing, meaning that instructors will not set pricing with the intent to undercut other instructors in their area. Instructors will price classes based upon the fair market value. This means that you are allowed to vary your rate according to the needs of your area, but we recommend that you not charge less than $200. Your time and effort is worth that.
Q: Can I bring my baby to the workshop?
A: We encourage long term breastfeeding and want nursing mothers to be included. Training, however, is intensive and requires long hours and a quiet room so that all who have invested their time and money can hear and participate. Training also requires that all be able to participate in relaxation and various other floor exercises. If you are nursing a baby or child we strongly advise that you have someone with you who can bring your baby to you and take them out of the training room when they are done feeding. This enables both the nursing mother and others in attendance to maximize their workshop experience. Regretfully, we will have to ask people to leave if they are being disruptive or are unable to participate.
Q: Will the online classes compete with my live classes? I am worried that people will just opt for online classes.
A: One of the goals of Birth Boot Camp is to provide classes that are accessible to ALL, even those away from an instructor, overseas, or with very hectic schedules. That is why we developed the online courses. We still see much value in live classes such as: one on one instructor interaction, friendship and camaraderie with other class members, and personal accountability weekly in class. We encourage those who CAN to take live classes and we believe that most couples DESIRE a live, in-person class. Our online classes exist for those who simply cannot make a live class work.
