Careers and Training
Autumn 2011: Experience tells
Level 4 Qualfications in Early Years Education and Childcare
The drive to develop a graduate-led early years workforce to date has bypassed the career staging post of a specific sector-based Level 4 qualification - to the disappointment of many experienced practitioners and managers.
Two popular awards have been retained for enrolment until this December: the Level 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development and CACHE Level 4 Certificate in Management of Quality Standards in Children's Services.
The former was designed as an NVQ and recognises specialist learning. The topics covered include supporting policies, procedures and practice to safeguard children and ensure their inclusion and well-being, reflecting on, reviewing and developing own practice. The latter, which was designed in partnership with National Day Nurseries Association, provides professional development for practitioners responsible for quality assurance or those interested in progressing into this area of work.
The Level 4 Early Childhood Montessori Diploma is internationally recognised and is essential to anyone wishing to work as a Montessori teacher in the UK.The City & Guilds Level 4 Higher Professional Diploma in Early Years takes practitioners on to a higher rung on the career ladder as it is designed to assist career mobility by offering CPD for a range of job roles including children's centre supervisors/managers, childminders, nursery nurses and trainer/assessors. It is equivalent to the first year of a Foundation Degree. (See case study.)
CITY & GUILDS LEVEL 4 AWARD IN WORK WITH PARENTS
The highest-level award in City & Guilds' new suite of qualifications for working with parents, which are accredited for the QCF. This is worth six credits.
CITY AND GUILDS LEVEL 4 HIGHER PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN EARLY YEARS
This is designed to assist career mobility by offering CPD for a range of job roles including children's centre supervisors/managers, childminders, nursery nurse and trainer/assessor. Equivalent to the first year of a foundation degree.
LEVEL 4 IN CHILDREN'S CARE, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
(Enrolment extended to December 2011)
Awarded by: CACHE, Edexcel, EDI, City and Guilds. The Level 4 CCLD is an NVQ for professionals working in childcare. It recognises specialist learning and helps to develop the candidate's career.
Course content: There are four mandatory and five option units. Topics covered include supporting policies, procedures and practice to safeguard children and ensure their inclusion and well-being, reflecting on, reviewing and developing own practice.
LEVEL 4 EARLY CHILDHOOD MONTESSORI DIPLOMA
Awarded by: Montessori Centre International
Course content: Provides an overview of wider educational philosophies together with a detailed study of the Montessori philosophy and approach. Areas of study include Montessori philosophy, child development, observation and assessment, contemporary issues incuding equal opportunities, childcare and good health practice, safety, nutrition and food hygiene, child protection and special needs.
The Diploma is internationally recognised and is a suitable qualification for a Montessori class teacher and is essential to anyone wishing to work as a Montessori teacher in the UK.
MANAGEMENT
CACHE LEVEL 4 CERTIFICATE IN MANAGEMENT OF QUALITY STANDARDS IN CHILDREN'S SERVICES
(Enrolment to December 2012)
Provides professional development for practitioners responsible for quality assurance or those interested in progressing into this area of work. Designed in partnership with the National Day Nurseries Association.
Course content: Professional development in quality-assurance practices. To establish, improve and maintain standards in children's services; manage the preparation required for statutory inspections; analyse training needs; and develop appropriate learning programmes.
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.
