by: Pinky - 10-10-07 22:39
Hello, I have interviews coming up for unqualified Nursery Assistant positions, but I want to study a childcare course. Do I go for NVQ 2 Childcare and Education or CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Children's learning, care and development? I have been told that the CACHE course isnt worth my while. I am very confused. Thank you
by: ZT91
Hi,
I'm in the same posistion as you, I leave school next year and don't know what one to do.
I have got lots of information on each but don't know what one employers prefer.
I think I will go for the NVQ Apprenitceship because I will gain experience, learn and get a wage! I'm assuming employers would prefer someone with experience then someone from a classroom!
Hope this helps!
Zoe
RE: RE: Which course to study-confused! - 29-02-08 11:38by: Posh
I completed a CACHE course and it certainly not all classroom based, you do a lot of placemnts from birth up to eight years and you may also get the oppourtunity to work with special needs. I really enjoye the CACHE course but if I was you I would do the level 3 course rather than the level 2 course.
by: lilmissme2u
i am currently in my first year as a DCE which is the Diploma in childcare and education. I am 16 and decided to do Childcare i a doing the CACHE Level 3 the diploma. I have been doing it for around 7 weeks and i am really enjoying it and i am currently just working on my first observation. I just wanted to tell you that the CACHE is a world wide recognised qualification. I only ended up doingthe CACHE as this i the only one that my college did. but i must say it is a reallly changelling course. You must look at the different units that each course contains and see which one sounds the best to you . Look for the one that covers more units as you then have a background understanding of them when you go for a job. If both the Nvq and Cache both have the same units in both then their isnt really much that anyone can do. I think it might be up to you to make your first big decision of your life !
Gud luck in all you choose !!
if you need anymore information i have msn.
Pinky I hope that the posts on this webite have helped you make your mind up?I hope that your English language is better than other people who post messages on here (: lilmissme2u) there is too much of the text message service on here.This is not good English Language.Come on where did everyone study English? I do Wonder?
by: jedi
I am currently studying the Cache Diploma in Pre-School Practice. My tutor is very dismissive of NVQs as she says they only have to complete so many chosen units whereas we have had to cover all areas for my course. I really don't know which is best I suppose it depends on your personal choice. It would be nice to work and get paid while you're studying. I've been an unpaid volunteer to make up the hours needed for my course.
Incidentally, I think that the experiences and advice shared are more important than perfect written English. Or was this a tongue in cheek comment Lighter than life?
by: Rose
The NVQ was initiallly set up to provide people who had been working in the sector for years with a piece of paper to prove they knew what they were doing. It isnt and never was a course. The CACHE is a course which provides all the underpinning knowledge and is recognised as providing candidates with a good base of knowledge. Both are recognised but these days the NVQ is seen as a more activitiy based qualification whereas the CACHE DCE and DPP are more academic and theory driven.
I did the CACHE DPP and have found over the years that those with an NVQ havent always been stretched. Although it can depend on the college.
by: janny
It also depends on your assessor and how lenient they will be. When I was assessing full time I was fairly strict, having been on both sides of the fence I wasn't prepared to send somebody out into the workplace as qualified when I didnt feel they were, neither was I prepared to put my name to a portfolio of work if I didnt feel it was good and comprehensive enough, unfortunately this couldn't be said for some of my colleagues, who I often witnessed dictating work for the learners to write and claim as their own. I was also part of a discussion as to whether or not a learner was passed as competent as the training provider wanted the money and didnt really seem that bothered whether the learner was competent or not, it was all about "bums" on seats I'm afraid and it was at this point that I decided to leave! I love NVQ's and the idea of them but make sure you have a reputable training provider and hope that your assessor is a strict one then that way you will/should will have a very good grounding to become a very good NA or NN
by: Cheryl Butler
HI I am doing my cache DPP and am finding it challenging and stimulating. How is everyone doing or have done on assignment 1. I am findng it difficult to understand exactly what is required and for E1 to E3 I have 2000 words? Can any one offer any advise, text speak or not ;)
Thanks in advance
by: Margos
Choosing the right course for you in a common problem. That is why I have developed a Visioning Service where you tell me what you can do and what you think you would like to do and I will offer you support adn guidance to make appropriate choices. Look for ProCEEd Visioning Service on my website www.proceedc.com
by: Mia
As a deputy of a nursery and having seen and worked with many people I would say that tha nvq is a better route to go, We have had many cache qualified that have been awful they can talk the talk in an interview but when it comes to actually putting what they have learned into practice they fail, most nvq qualified staff are well aware of the so called nasty jobs of working in a nursery ( cleaning, cooking and dealing with sick!) and can deal with these.Plus it gives you a better insite into what you really have to do where with placements with the cache you are limited, I'm not saying that all cache qualified people are awful but so far in my 5 years experience nvq routes are better, Hope this helps x x x
RE: RE: Which course to study-confused! - 29-02-08 14:42by: Posh
In my time training with CACHE i dealt with my fair chare of "nasty jobs!!" It's not necesarily the qualification that makes the childcare worker it's their drive, enthusisam and staff around them!!
by: Mia
All i was giving was my advice and experiences and like I said not all cache qualified are bad! I wasent meaning to offend anyone.
by: Emily71284
It really depends what you want to do with it after. If you want to take it further in the academic sense then i would recommend doing the BTEC in the early years. I completed this course at college and am currently at University about to complete a BA Hons programme. I've also been accepted on a PGCE for Primary.
When i was at college the BTEC was always held in higher regard and was seen as a more academic course. I did three days a week in college and 2 days a week with some block weeks in placement. You have to have over 800 hours in order to complete the course and this is in a vairiety of settings with children aged 0-8 years. Clearly this would also set you up perfectly for employment as well.
From my friends on the course two are police officers, one a hospital play specialist, three went onto universities and two are employed within nurseries and that's just my friends. I also think this shows the broad range of things you can do with the course.
Hope this helps
x x
