There's a wealth of new training schemes to support your entry into an early years career, but how do you decide which path to follow? Meg Jones maps out the options
Being good at mazes is great preparation for starting on the early years qualification trail. Enormous changes have taken place in the childcare field over recent years and training is at long last being rationalised. Future generations of early years staff will be able to follow a clearer training and qualification path but, inevitably, reorganisation takes time.
At present, the Early Years National Training Organisation, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the DfEE and the awarding bodies are working together to make a much more coherent choice than was available in the past.
There have been so many different courses offered across the country it has been difficult to know quite where they fitted into the job market. It has not always been easy to assess which qualifications were suitable for what level of responsibility and what was needed for people to move from one area of work to another.
In time, this will be addressed through the Qualifications and Training Framework in a so-called 'qualification map'. Course content will be assessed, there will be a reduction in the number of courses, some titles will be changed and, in some cases, validation will be by different awarding bodies. New opportunities have also arisen. Following the establishment of Early Years Care and Education National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Government initiatives, have come National Traineeships, Modern Apprenticeships and New Deal opportunities.
Changing titles and awarding bodies Established courses are consistently under review, to keep up with current issues and to reflect the changing nature of the industry.
The term nursery nursing, used for generations, has gradually been evolving into early years care and education, so you are likely to see new course titles such as Diploma in Care and Education (formerly DNN, NNEB) and Early Years National Diploma [formerly Diploma in Childhood Studies (Nursery Nursing)].
However, do not be alarmed if you hold or are currently studying for the earlier titles, they will still be valid for many years. Pre-school Learning Alliance and National Childminding Association courses will be validated by the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE).
Questions to ask before committing yourself n What is the purpose of doing the course?
Do you want to develop within a chosen area of work, or are you looking for a universal course which will give you opportunities across a range of jobs?
Is your starting point within the local community or are you wanting to develop academically? n Is the training relevant to your job role?
What are the work settings covered and what does the award qualify workers to do?
Confirm that the level of underpinning knowledge is relevant to your needs.
- Does the award have national recognition? Ensure the qualification is taught, assessed and moderated by specialists in your field.
- Will you be offered practical placements, or will your current experience in a workplace be suitable to complete the requirements of the awarding body? Make sure the age range you are interested in is covered in the occupational standards and syllabus.
- Will the training progress you in your career? It may be at the same level but widen your opportunities into areas in which you have deficiencies, or it may be at a higher level.
Funding Taking a full-time training course only incurs registration fees with the awarding body, whereas in the past, the individual has paid for part-time vocational courses.
Things have now changed and all vocational students are entitled to Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs). Each person pays 25 to open an account which is then credited with 150 to spend on a course. For Government schemes, you will get a weekly allowance.
Contact your local colleges, career office, Jobcentre or training organisations.
Contacts
- CACHE Tel: 01727 847 636
- The Early Years National Training Organisation
- Tel: 01727 738 300 Making your choice
There are many options to consider when entering the childcare sector, both in settings and types of qualifications. You should aim to choose what best suits your needs, interests and future plans.
National Traineeship Vicky wanted to leave school at the age of 16 but continue with her education. Her choice National Traineeship in Early Years Care and Education. Her reasons Practical experience, qualification (NVQ level 2), learning key skills, allowance from 45 per week.
Previous experience Guide child care badge and babysitting. Time scale Up to two years.
Placement Private nursery. Leading to Modern Apprenticeship or job as assistant in a nursery. Further information Website: http://www.open.gov.uk/dfee/ntrintro.htm
New Deal Hannah, 23, had tried different dead-end jobs before becoming unemployed about two years ago.
Her choice New Deal Her reasons Since having a baby she realised she wanted to work with children, qualify for a permanent job, and restore her self-worth.
She also needed to retain her Job Seekers Allowance and benefits. Advantages of New Deal Having a personal advisor. Working towards NVQ level 3. Placement Education nursery.
Leading to Permanent nursery job. Further information Tel: 0845 606 2626, website: www.newdeal.gov.uk/
Early Years National Diploma Although academically bright, Mandy had not been happy at school. She left the sixth form after one year.
Her choice A two-year college-based course, EYND Her reasons To gain a qualification equivalent to A level, to keep her options open, and to find like-minded friends in a new environment.
Previous experience Community involvement in a creche and a GCSE in Child Psychology.
Placement Reception class. Leading to A post in a school and possibly teacher training later on. Further information Tel: 0191 201 3100, website: www.edexcel.org.uk
Qualifications Below is a list of both in-house training schemes and further education routes that can lead to the qualification you need.
To work in Day care: Private nursery, family centre You can choose Work-based training schemes:
- NVQ levels 2 and 3; or n Modern apprenticeship
- National traineeship
- New Deal (all leading to NVQ levels 2 and/or 3) Further education:
- Certificate in childcare and education
- Diploma in care and education [formerly DNN, NNEB]
- Early years national diploma [formerly BTEC diploma in childhood studies (nursery nursing)]
To work in Community: Pre-school, out-of-school, opportunity group, childminding Education: Local authority or independent nursery or primary schools You can choose all of the above plus
- NVQ playwork
- Diploma in pre-school practice
- Level 3 certificate in childminding practice
- Montessori early childhood teaching diploma Case study
'Having had work experience in a nursery, I knew I wanted to work with children,' says Zona Leech. Leaving school with 11 GCSEs, she investigated her future at an open day at the local FE College. There she was offered support under New Start (National Traineeship), NVQ2, and 60 per week.
Zona was taken on the payroll of Four Seasons Nursery School in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. In just over a year, she completed the NVQ and moved on to the Modern Apprenticeship scheme and NVQ3. She attends college weekly for underpinning knowledge. 'I think it's great,' she says. 'I get lots of help and advice and it doesn't interfere with the work.'
Manager Tina Ross was equally supportive. 'It's working really well,' she says.
'It's a flexible, adaptable, work-based training that suits our specific needs.' Zona is pleased with the hands-on experience, feeling she is better prepared than someone on a college-based course. Her advice for anyone considering a Modern Apprenticeship is 'Go for it'.