Careers and Training
Autumn 2011: Beginners please!
Level 1 Qualifications in Early Years Education and Childcare
Levels one and two are the bottom rungs on the early years qualifications ladder which has been designed to support the development of a professional, graduate-led workforce.
While training at Level 1 does not qualify the learner to work with children, it acts as a general introduction and equips the learner with basic childcare skills and is a step on the way to further training. Awarding body CACHE has now expanded its qualifications at Level 1, which act as stepping-stones to Level 2 qualifications.
These include the CACHE Level 1 Award in an Introduction to Early Years Settings and the Level 1 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Caring for Children.
ENTRY-LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS
CACHE entry-level qualifications demonstrate that candidates have the basic knowledge, skills and abilities to apply learning in everyday situations, in which they must be supervised. They provide a step towards further education and training.
The CACHE Foundation Award in Caring for Children involves a portfolio of evidence, a practical assignment and a multiple-choice question paper as well as a recommended placement in a setting.
Its Entry Level Certificate in Preparation for Childcare provides training in caring for babies and toddlers at home (registration ends 31 December 2011).
The CACHE Foundation Award in Caring for Children involves a portfolio of eveidence, a practical assignment and a multiple-choice question paper as well as a recommended placement in a setting. This qualification has been extended to 31 December 2012.
CACHE also offers the following L1 and entry qualifications (all QCF):
- LEVEL 1 AWARD IN AN INTRODUCTION TO EARLY YEARS SETTINGS
- LEVEL 1 AWARD IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
- LEVEL 1 AWARD/CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA IN CARING FOR CHILDREN
- ENTRY LEVEL 3 AWARD IN CARING FOR A CHILD/CHILDREN
- ENTRY LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN CARING FOR A CHILD/CHILDREN
- LEVEL 1 AWARD/CERTIFICATE IN INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE AND CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SETTINGS
- CACHE LEVEL 1 AWARD IN PREPARING TO WORK WITH ADULT SOCIAL CARE
UNDERSTANDING QUALIFICATIONS CHANGE
The Statutory Framework for the EYFS sets out the requirements for staff:child ratios and the qualification levels that practitioners must hold. CWDC defines 'full and relevant' qualifications that practitioners included in the specified ratios must hold.
The Early Years Qualifications List is a searchable tool designed to help those delivering the EYFS to identify which qualifications are considered full and relevant. It also lists qualifications that, together with accredited additional learning, could enable a practitioner's package of accredited learning to be viewed as 'full and relevant'.
Since 2010, early years qualifications have been migrating from the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). According to regulator Ofqual, the QCF is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications, by awarding credit for qualifications and units (small steps of learning).
QCF qualifications fall into three categories:
Award - 1-12 credits
Certificate - 13-36 credits
Diploma - 37+ credits
Registration on some NQF qualifications has been extended and for up-to-date information it is important to refer to CWDC's Qualifications List.
Go to http://qualificationslist.cwdcouncil.org.uk or call the helpline on 0300 123 1033.
