Sophie Spurrier
Nursery director and head of nursery, Under 1 Roof (U1R) Nursery – Thanet
YES
‘This is a fantastic idea to have an experience-based route! I am director of a 93-space nursery with 29 staff, 21 of which hold a relevant early years Level 3 or above.
‘The remaining staff are all training to do their apprenticeship and count as unqualified in the rooms. However, I believe this should be down to the owner/manager’s discretion as, for example, I have an apprentice who has worked in early years settings, schools and as a drama teacher for many years and hasfar more experience than some of the interviews I have held with those who have the full and relevant qualification. I also have a staff member who has been a teaching assistant in many age groups and holds a Level 4 qualification, but this is not classed as full and relevant to work in a nursery. They are doing their Level 3, which seems a little bit of a backwards step when they have worked in the education sector for so long and I am confident they are competent in their role.
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