Childcare Angels

There is quite an extensive range of childcare qualifications in the UK, so it’s important to know a bit about each qualification so you know what your childcare provider can do with your child. The rules differ according to what part of the country your childcare provider did her training.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland recognised childcare qualifications (usually certificates or diplomas) are awarded by the Council for Award’s in Children’s Care and Education (CACHE and institutions affiliated with the Association of Nursery Training Colleges. In Scotland, however, the Scottish Child Care and Education Board (SNNB is the awarding body.

Childcare is a very progressive industry, and course content and direction can change all the time, according to the government’s regulations. The basics will usually remain the same, be aware that the government is currently restructuring the whole framework of qualifications for those who want to work in the childcare profession.

The main recognised childcare qualifications in 2008 are:

• CACHE Level 3, Diploma in Childcare and Education (DCE) (formerly the NNEB)
• BTEC Higher National Diploma in Childcare
• NVQs in Childcare and Education
• City and Guilds – there are range of NVQ qualifications in Childcare and Education, which are equivalent to one or two ‘A’ levels.
• Montessori  training qualifications

CACHE
The Council for Award in Childcare and Education (CACHE) is a specialist body that develops courses and qualifications in childcare. The main CACHE qualifications are:

• CACHE Foundation Award in Caring for Children (CFCC)

A taster course giving an introduction to the type of knowledge and understanding required when working in childcare.

• CACHE Level 2, Certificate in Childcare and Education (CCE)
• CACHE Level 3, Diploma in Child Care and Education (DCE) (Previously known as NNEB).

This is a two-year full-time or three-year part-time course and is equivalent to two A-levels. It is a level 3 award. The course takes two years to complete and covers health, safety, nutrition and educational play for ages up to seven. Around 60% of student’s time is spent in college and the remaining 40% is spent with different age children on placements in homes, day nurseries, hospitals and junior schools.

Around half those who graduate with the diploma will go onto work in local authority, private day nurseries and hospitals while the rest will become nannies with families. It can also be used as an entry level qualification to midwifery training, provided the candidate has GCSE grade C in English Language and Mathematics or a Science subject. Moving into teaching or social work is another option with the diploma. Combined with at least one year’s experience in the work place, it qualifies candidates to under take the two-year full-time Diploma in Social Work. Social workers with a nursery nurse background are particularly suited to work in child protection and residential children’s units.

• CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice (CCP) Develops the knowledge and skills for those who are or are looking to become a registered childminder. Developed with the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council)
These courses focus on management and senior positions within the child care field, such as starting a nursery or curriculum development and analysis:

• BTEC National Diploma Childhood Studies (Nursery Nursing)
• BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) Childhood Studies (Nursery Nursing) – equivalent to the first year of a degree
• BTEC National Certificate Childhood Studies (Nursery Nursing) – equivalent to two A-levels, NVQ level 3, Advanced GNVQ, or relevant work experience
• BTEC Higher National Certificate Childhood Studies (Nursery Nursing)
• The BTEC First Certificate – a day release course equivalent to 4 GCSE’s, grades A-C

NVQs in Early Years Care and Education
The NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is a government initiative to give those who have work experience but no formal qualifications the opportunity to get a recognised qualification. This is not an academic qualification but based on practical experience in the workplace, and they are assessed in the workplace where students have to prove that they have achieved a certain level of competence and capability.

The NVQ courses available are:

• NVQ in Childcare and Education Level 2 – this is a qualification is obtained by a childcare worker in a supervised role, e.g. a nursery assistant, playgroup worker a childminder, or an experienced but untrained nanny (i.e. a mother’s help who went on to be a nanny. The courses assesses eight core subjects, including ‘Work with young children’, ‘Maintain the safety of children’ and ‘Maintain a child orientated environment’ and four ‘endorsements’ which focus on the type of experience you have. For example:

1. Work With Babies
2. Work in Support of Others
3. Work in a Pre-school Group
4. Work in a Community Run Pre-school Group.

A nanny would be likely to choose ‘work with babies’ or ‘work in a pre-school group’ and would acquire an NVQ in Child Care and Education (Work with Babies – level 2)

• NVQ in Childcare and Education Level 3 – this can be obtained by professional childcare workers and could be considered the equivalent of the former NNEB. A childcare provider undertaking this training shows a commitment to learning about high quality childcare. An experienced childminder or mother’s help could apply to be assessed at this level.

There are 12 core units, including: ‘Promote Children’s Sensory and Intellectual Development’, ‘Promote the Development of Children’s Language and Communication skills’ and ‘Contribute to the Protection of Children from Child Abuse’ and five ‘endorsements’:

• Group Care and Education
• Pre-School Provision
• Family Support
• Special Needs
• Family Day Care

A nanny would choose Family Day Care to give her an NVQ in Childcare and Education (Family Day Care) level 3.

• The NVQ Level 4 – this is undertaken by a childcare worker who would already be trained to management level – more academically challenging. It consists of three strands to choose from: Advanced Practice; Enhancing Quality and Quality Control; Management.

City & Guild
City and Guild (C&G) offers a range of vocational courses including Childcare and Education NVQs to Level 2 and 3. The courses compete with CACHE courses and are similar in content.

C&Gs are ideal for those seeking a broader base in childcare which would enable them to care for sick children or handicapped children.

There are a few different options:

• An NVQ Level 2 City and Guilds offer nine different ‘care’ NVQs which are mainly concerned with the care of the elderly, children in care, the handicapped and mentally ill. Courses include ‘Domiciliary Support’, ‘Postnatal Care,’ ‘Direct Care’ and ‘Residential/Hospital Support’. These can all be tailored to the interests of the childcare provider.
• The NVQ in care at Level 3 is similar to that of Level 2, but more detailed. There are courses such as ‘Acute Care’ (of children)’, ‘Group and Foster care,’ ‘Supporting Families’ etc.

Montessori
The Montessori Method is an internationally renowned qualification.

Montessori nurseries use their own specialised philosophy, based on the theory of giving much more individual attention to the child and his needs and encouraging him to develop at his own pace. It is a holistic curriculum that aims to develop the child socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally.

To graduate as a Montessori teacher, the minimum requirement is a degree and a year’s student teaching under supervision. Once graduated, Montessori teachers can work with infants, toddlers, pre-primary or elementary level children.