Candidates defined as providing daycare for children will have three years to achieve the relevant qualifications after registration starts, which is expected to be by early 2007.
Mairi Maciver Clark, a director of the Scottish Independent Nurseries Association, said she thought the timescales set for introducing registration and for achieving qualifications were fair. She agreed with registering workers according to the type of work undertaken, but said, 'The SSSC has missed an opportunity to use the title of early years educator. There is no doubt in all our minds that it would have been great to see the word "educator" there, rather than "practitioner".'
In response to consultation findings that there are more than 70 different job titles currently in use by the sector, the SSSC has divided the workforce into three categories according to the type of work undertaken.
The 'support worker' category includes seasonal play workers, nursery assistants, play assistants, support for learning assistants, breakfast club assistants and wraparound care assistants. The role of 'practitioner' includes play leaders, nursery nurses, nursery officers, nursery assistants, play assistants, playgroup workers, early education and childcare workers and early years workers. Play managers, early years managers and out-of-school co-ordinators fall within the 'manager/lead practitioner' category.
Ms Maciver Clark added that the omission of Montessori qualifications could have serious implications for the registration of workers employed in around 20 Montessori settings in Scotland and that SINA would be continuing discussions with the SSSC around this.
Irene Audain, chief executive of the Scottish Out of School Care Network was pleased that the Playwork SVQ Level 2 had been recognised, as it had been heavily promoted within the sector. But she expressed concern about the lack of management qualifications for out-of-school workers. 'We need time, investment of resources and a great deal of support to ensure that they are in place by the time phase two registration begins,' she said.
Margaret Brunton, senior training development officer at the Scottish Pre-school Playgroups Association, said, 'We wel- come the proposals. As an organisation we have always recommended level three competencies for staff working in a playgroup.'
She said it was appropriate that the job of play assistant was included in both support worker and practitioner categories, because it meant people could progress at their own pace.
Elizabeth Murdoch, training officer for the Scottish Childminding Association, said it was unclear which category childminders would fit into and how they would be integrated into the qualifications framework.
'We are aware that many childminders who have been in childminding for some time may be concerned about qualifications requirements, and would seek to reassure them that there are many ways their considerable knowledge and expertise can be recognised. We trust they will be given appropriate time and support to evidence their skills in a way that meets their needs.'
A spokeswoman for the SSSC said that, given that the Care Commission already regulates childminders, there were issues surrounding 'over-regulation'. She added that the SSSC would discuss the issue with the Scottish Executive later this month.