Editor's View - the new apprenticeship scheme

News of the scheme acts as a reminder that nothing has so far been heard in response to the consultation on Level 3 childcare qualifications that closed a month ago.

This apprentices scheme is positioned as a transitional one in advance of the new Early Years Educator qualification (or qualifications, rather) that will be introduced in September 2014.

And specifically, it is aimed at supporting the delivery of places for disadvantaged two-year-olds, with apprentices on the scheme having to work in a setting that is providing the early learning places for these children.

One caveat about the new scheme is that it will be delivered under the existing qualification set-up - apprentices must be enrolled on the Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Children and Young People's Workforce.

However, the current diploma has been criticised as inadequate by much of the early years sector, in Cathy Nutbrown's report, and indeed in More Great Childcare.

Some of the concerns are that there are no units on play, that there is little specific content relevant to child development, and, most pertinently, that it does not prepare practitioners for work with two-year-olds.

So it seems a shame that this new money will be funding training for a qualification that few are happy with.

More important, though, is to make sure that the new Level 3 early years qualifications are fit for purpose when they arrive next year. The DfE must work closely with the sector to ensure this.