and a 'relevant' qualification.
In a report, the CWDC states that it wants to simplify the training and qualifications system and develop clear career paths to encourage more staff to qualify at level 3 and beyond. This will result in the reduction in the number of qualifications on offer.
Pauline Jones, CWDC's national development manager for early years, told Nursery World that 'greater clarity was needed' over what is a full, relevant level 3 qualification.
She said, 'We are committed through the Integrated Qualifications Framework to look at qualifications and to ensure that people understand what worth and value is attached to them. At the moment there are so many different qualifications, it's confusing for parents and employers.'
The latest DfES figures, released in June, show that 58 per cent of the early years workforce were qualified to level 3 in 2005. But Ms Jones said that this data is not 'wholly reliable' and was likely to be 'at the top end of the scale' because the range of qualifications and routes available make it difficult to get accurate figures.
She stressed that although there would be fewer qualifications in the future, she was not devaluing current qualifications. 'CWDC is about raising quality provision through increasing qualifications and support for the existing workforce and bringing new people into it.'
Emma Knights and Alison Garnham, joint chief executives of the Daycare Trust, questioned whether the suggested target of 70 per cent of the workforce qualified to this minimum by 2010 is 'ambitious enough'.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA, said that while both children and parents will benefit from increased staff qualifications, many private and voluntary nurseries will face 'major practical and financial challenges'
unless a programme of support is put in place by the DfES.
Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said that it is vital for the long-term sustainability of the sector to ensure that support for training is continued through the Transformation Fund.
For more information visit www.cwdcouncil.org.uk.
