Time for training

Wednesday, May 14, 2003

I was perturbed to read in the feature 'Put in the shade' (10 April) that it 'takes four years to train a teacher, while childcare staff can train on the job'. This is incorrect. Although there are some four-year teaching qualifications, a graduate of almost any field can obtain a PGCE in one year. While it is true that childcare staff may obtain an NVQ while working in a setting, other childcare courses are full-time college courses with workplace experience, in the same way that PGCE students undertake teaching practice.