Careers and Training
Autumn 2011: Build the foundations
Level 5 Qualifications in Early Years Education and Childcare
Foundation Degrees are designed and delivered in partnership with employers to equip people with the relevant knowledge and skills for senior roles and responsibilities at work.
A Foundation Degree is the equivalent of the first two years of an Honours degree, and may be studied full or part-time. The course consists of academic study integrated with relevant work-based learning undertaken with an employer. It may be studied as a stand-alone qualification or upon completion you may progress to the final year of an Honours degree.
Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements for each course. Typically a candidate would have to have a relevant Level 3 qualification and at least three years experience. Institutions will often offer Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) for those who are unsure of the current value of their qualifications.
Montessori International also now provides a Foundation Degree focusing on Montessori and the EYFS, leading to the Early Childhood Studies degree with Montessori.
The focus of the Higher National Diploma in Early Childhood Studies is to provide education and training for a range of careers in the early years sector, and to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of early years, care and education. The courses are two years full-time at universities and colleges.
The Entry qualifications are: either two A-level passes, a BTEC National Diploma, GNVQ Advanced (AVCE), CACHE Diploma (DCE/NNEB/DNN), NVQ Level 3 or access to HE at Level 3. Methods of study include taught sessions, workplace practice, seminars, research and self-directed study. Students are required to attend an approved early years placement one day a week.
FOUNDATION DEGREES
These intermediate, work-related higher-education qualifications have been designed in conjunction with employers to meet skills shortages at the higher technician and associate professional levels.
They include the sector-endorsed Early Years Foundation Degree and the Playwork Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree.
Full details of the sector-endorsed playwork foundation, honours and masters degrees can be found at www.playworkactivepassport.com/SectorSkills/UserSearch.asp.
Montessori International also now provides a foundation degree focusing on Montessori and the EYFS, leading to the Early Childhood Studies degree with Montessori.
They are provided by universities in partnership with higher education colleges and further education colleges. There are no set entry requirements and work experience may be more important than qualifications. A full-time course takes two years and a part-time one is often three to four years pro rata.
Methods of study: Classroom, distance or work-based learning.
Course content: Modules vary, but core units could include child development, management, options for specific roles and career paths, theory, practice and context of working with children, ICT and work-based modules.
Funding: Students can qualify for a financial support package, which includes fees paid or reduced, £500 annual bursary, the loan of a laptop computer and printer, payment towards registered childcare and reimbursement towards employers' supply cover costs.
HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMAS
These higher education diplomas comprise practical and vocational training, and qualify students to apply for roles ranging from assistant to management posts in an early years setting, although each institution will have its own entry requirements and syllabus.
HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
The focus of this diploma is to provide education and training for a range of careers in the early years sector, and to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of early years, care and education.
Courses are two years full-time at universities and colleges.
Entry qualifications: Either two A-level passes, a BTEC National Diploma, GNVQ Advanced (AVCE), CACHE Diploma (DCE/NNEB/DNN), NVQ Level 3 or access to HE at Level 3. Methods of study include taught sessions, workplace practice, seminars, research and self-directed study. Students are required to attend an approved early years placement one day a week.
Course content: Range of modules that take a multi-disciplinary approach to the education and care for children from birth to eight years of age within the context of their family and culture.
ILM LEVEL 5 AWARD/CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT
Provided by the National Day Nurseries Association, other training providers and FE colleges.
Course content: The ILM Level 5 qualification is nested which means credits gained for the Award can be carried forward for the Certificate and Diploma.
Units:
- Understanding the management role
- Leading teams
- Managing projects in the organisations (total study length three months)
- Developing the reflective manager
- Managing improvement
- Making a financial case
- Communication in management
- Managing customer relations
- Managing information (total study length six months)
- Developing the manager
- Leading innovation and change
- Managing individual development
- Conduction operations research (total study lenth 12 months)
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.
