NVQ STUDENTS

NVQ STUDENTS

by: Millie - 07-08-07 10:01

Is it me or are the government not interested in ensuring that young adults fresh out of college gain adequate work experience prior to be accepted onto a level 2/3 NVQ.

I work at FE colleges and am amazed that these very young adults abput 16/17 who appear not to listen in class workshops, have litte regard for adults, and spend most of their time listening to their phones will actually be able to sit and listen, respond plan and provide for children in their care.

I am not putting all young adults in this category, but my experience over the years as a tutor/assessor/IV of NVQ's is that not enough emphasis is being put on work based experience of at least 6 months - a year prior to undertaking a level 2, with a year under their belt before commencing on a level 3 -

I understand the FE colleges are under attack from the government to ensure that young adults are placed on these courses, the colleges welcome bottoms on seats!. But many come without placements and expect the college to find them one. Should we not expect these young adults to find their own placement, it's good experience.

Also tutors/assessors/IV's and eventually the college receive the backlash and fall out from the lack of response and cooperation, not to mention committment and understanding of the jobs in hand. Many of these young adults think childcare is an easy option.

I would urge the government to look again and liaise with awarding bodies and and FE colleges to ensure a minimum time spent working in a setting is undertaken, before being able to undertake a level 2 or 3.

Europes childcare practitioners far surpass our standards, perhaps we should look at how their staff are trained.

by: Millie

Before any one comments, I realise I have made some spelling mistakes - perhaps I too need to attend typing courses or go back to college!!

NVQ STUDENTS - 07-08-07 18:32

by: scarlett

The government has also "dumbed down" the level 3 nursery nurse qualification.
I dont know why we have to have level 2's??
Why cant we just have nursery nurses?
as ofsted now only require a supervisor on duty and then only 50% of the rest at level 2 then we are getting a level that is not as high as it could be.As people will rather do the easier qualification (takes less time as well)
It is then left up to the manager and soon the level 6 manager to manage all these unqualified staff.
(Level 2's dont all jump at me) I know you worked hard at your qualifications.

NVQ STUDENTS - 07-08-07 18:55

by: Millie

Scarlett I agree with you on that score. Although I realise that everyone has to start somewhere and a level 2 is a good start with a year in between of more work based experience before going onto the next level.

As for those stopping at level 2 soon the government will ensure that all those working with children have a minimum of a level 3 qualification - which should help.

NVQ STUDENTS - 10-08-07 19:20

by: Tess

Are they really going to get rid of level 2 qualifications? Some of my level 2 students are concerned about this but I have not seen it any where.

NVQ STUDENTS - 12-08-07 15:10

by: girly-girl

can i jus say that i left school with not "good" GCSE grades and i really didnt want to go to college for 4 day's aweek and 1 day placement at a childcare setting. so i took the NVQ route i really enjoyed my experience i would learn more things about the childcare setting in 1 week than a college student would in a month as i was there full time and went to inhouse training once a month. and i can always remember wen they had a new member of staff (who had jus qualified from college),the girls were saying that she might have all the knowledge put down on 1000'word essay's but the lack of experience in a nursery was showing. not saying all college students are like that. i think that college tutors should be supporting the students and try doing some team buliding activities and not try and get rid of them!! also these students are not jus 'bums on seats' they are young adults who have just left school and need the support off there tutor!!

by: studentmum21

I worked at a private day nursery when i left school doing a modern apprentiship(sp) I was really enjoying then had an accident which put me off going back!!

I took a few years off and gt pregnant. My daughter attended a local pre school run by sure start, they askedif i could help out a few times a week and after a few weeks, the boss came to see me with some leaflets about courses. She sorted it all out for me. And i am so appreciate. I'm doing NVQ level 3 ccld. I'm finding rather difficult but am so greatful there's the course out there. I had to go to college on a tuesday night for fifteen weeks! Then it's all placement.

 I found there's no real help for us on the internet though I googled and googled and struggled to find anything just based around ccld. Then I came up with a forum site of my own, it's only just started but i'm hoping it'll build up and more and more people will join.

 http://z11.invisionfree.com/NVQ_CCLD/index.php?act=idx