Opinion

Editor's View - courses need to do their level best

We have to make sure that courses offer early years students what they need.

The lead news story (pages 4-5) in this issue of Nursery World highlights the urgency of Professor Cathy Nutbrown's review into early years education and childcare qualifications.

Indeed, so does the final part of our Level 3 Diploma series, looking at where this qualification needs to be strengthened (pages 30-31).

Our investigation into the online courses on offer at 'Level 3' shows that it is very easy for students and employers to be confused about just what constitutes a full and relevant qualification.

These courses typically take around 120 hours to complete, and offer no practical experience. Yet aspiring nursery nurses who have done the courses are applying for jobs believing that they are qualified.

Maybe they should look a little harder at the 'small print' of what they are signing up for, but many early years employers are also unsure about what 'full and relevant' means in the context of the Level 3 CYPW Diploma.

Some applicants are no doubt being taken on as qualified members of staff as a result.

However, the composition of the CYPW Diploma is far from easy to understand, with its mandatory, core and optional units, and the content and monitoring of its delivery have been much criticised too.

We need a set of qualifications that are clear, comprehensive and where the status and relevance are easy for all to understand.

Make sure you don't miss our next issue, which is an Early Years Foundation Stage special, with all its content dedicated to explaining and advising on the new framework, due to be implemented in September. It will definitely be one to keep on your setting's shelves for easy reference in the run-up to the big day.