Childcare professionals working in a business support or advisory capacity who wish to achieve a recognised business qualification specifically for the early years can now sign up for the Level 5 Award in Business Support.
This builds on the momentum created by 4Children's Business Champions programme, which was funded by the DfE from 2012 to March 2013 and was designed to boost business performance for a wide range of settings.
An evaluation carried out by the Office for Public Management highlighted the effectiveness of this programme. One hundred Business Champions were created representing a mix of individuals from the PVI sector, local authorities, independent consultancies and schools. All are now putting their enhanced skills to good use through local networks that are supporting wider sustainability and performance in the sector.
The new Level 5-accredited programme carries on with this good work. Delivered by a partnership between two specialist consultancies, Flourishing People and Silver Pebble, the programme launches in London in October and expands its reach nationwide in 2014.
Flourishing People director Jacqui Burke explains, 'We collaborated to deliver the Business Champions programme on behalf of 4Children as a part of the DfE-funded Business Skills Programme. This resulted in us training a hundred Business Champions around the country.
'Although the funding came to an end, we continued to get requests for training from people who had been unable to secure a place on the 4Children programme. In response to this, we have created an updated course to meet this continued demand.'
She points out that there is no Government funding for the programme going forward, 'so individuals are either funding it themselves or, in some cases, gaining funding from their employer as a part of their CPD'.
Jeremy Webster, director of CMI Approved Centre Silver Pebble, believes that with the troubled economy and the Government facing a prolonged period of uncertainty, businesses in the early years sector are under pressure as never before. This course is designed to help them rise to the challenges.
'Changes in local authority structures and budgets mean that many experienced business support professionals have moved out of the sector and business support is becoming a new responsibility for people who previously provided pedagogical, quality and welfare support to settings,' he says. 'But they can't do this effectively without specialist training.'
Those leading the programme believe there are many individuals who would benefit from it. 'They may be people who are new in their post and wish to build their confidence and develop underpinning skills and knowledge,' Ms Burke says. 'Or they may be experienced business support professionals who want to build on their existing abilities.'
The programme is scheduled to run once a term, with locations in the North West and Yorkshire planned for 2014.
Mr Webster says, 'The autumn term programme in London is almost fully booked. We have participants from London and the South East, which confirms the need for this type of training.'
WHAT AREAS DOES THE PROGRAMME COVER?
The Childcare Business Advisers Programme covers the syllabus of the Level 5 Award in Business Support, a degree-level qualification awarded by the CMI.
By completing the post-course assignment, which is externally marked by CMI examiners, candidates can gain this qualification to demonstrate their competence.
Tuition is delivered through a combination of structured classroom-based sessions, case-study activities and home study, and there is access to website support with FAQs to help with assignments.
All materials and a core textbooks are included, and there are opportunities for virtual and face-to-face networking. The programme aims to improve the business adviser's effectiveness by:
- Developing a deeper understanding of childcare businesses
- Explaining a systematic business support process
- Increasing confidence and self-awareness
- Promoting networking and partnerships between advisers
- Sharing sector knowledge and best practice
- Increasing awareness of available resources and providers
- Enhancing communication skills
- Knowing how to conduct and develop oneself as a professional business adviser
CASE STUDY
Maureen Askew, of Ask Askew Childcare Business Consultancy, completed the Business Champions programme in 2012 and believes it provided a great opportunity to not only consolidate her knowledge and skills, but to develop new ways of thinking.
She says, 'As a self-employed business consultant specialising in the childcare sector, which is where my expertise lies, I welcomed the opportunity to continue my professional development by attending the 4Children Business Champions training.
'The course provided an opportunity to not only consolidate my skills and develop my knowledge, but also increased my confidence in working with childcare providers on a wider range of issues impacting on the sector.
'Being a 4Children Business Champion has further enhanced my status and gives childcare providers confidence that I do have the skills and experience to support and help develop their childcare business, raise awareness of business issues that as a childcare business and SME they may not have realised could impact on them.
'I also help them identify the possible impact of Government initiatives and market levers and, therefore, gauge their long-term sustainability.'
Further information
- The first term's workshops take place in London on 3 October, 7 November and 12 December.
- The standard fee is £1,074.00.
For further information and to book, visit
STUDY AT LEVEL 5
A lack of Level 5 courses tailored to the early years, along with funding to support them, has been identified by the sector as a problem that needs to be addressed (NW news, 15 - 28 July).
City and Guilds offers the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for the Children and Young People's Workforce - Early Years (QCF), a qualification developed by training company PBD. Candidates can choose from Management or Advanced Practice pathways and can complete the course through distance learning, exclusively with PBD.
Meanwhile, CACHE offers a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care, and Children and Young People's Services (QCF) provides the skills and knowledge required to manage, practice and lead others in health and social care provision, or in children and young people's services.
Further information: www.pbdevelopment.co.uk