International Correspondence Schools (ICS), a private provider of distance learning courses, has told potential students in the latest issue of ICS Study that they 'don't need any previous experience or qualifications to take this course and you'll learn everything from child growth and development, to setting up a childcare facility'.
But Richard Dorrance, chief executive of the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education, said, 'The ICS course is not on the list of acceptable qualifications or on the QCA framework, and the Early Years National Training Organisation advises people it is not acceptable under the daycare regulations. All training courses that match the daycare regulations should have a practical component, because you can't do a theory- only course and be deemed competent to work with children.
'Currently the ICS course is theory-only and it's almost impossible to do a distance learning programme that is practical as well as theoretical.
Therefore they are going to have problems being accepted on to the QCA framework.'
ICS product manager Janet Dunsmuir said the company was 'working with City and Guilds and expects to have accreditation by Christmas for a progression award'. However, a City and Guilds spokeswoman said, 'We have not received a submission to seek accreditation for this childcare course and until we receive that, we can't progress it.'
Under current provision, anyone aged between 16 and 19 can access a childcare course free, while people under 25 who are undertaking workplace training can do a modern apprenticeship free of charge. Ms Dunsmuir defended the 479 cost of the ten-month course on the basis that the course materials and teaching were 'of a high quality'. But she refused to disclose the names of any of its tutors.
The ICS website tells potential students 'there is no specific recommended reading for this course' and that they would receive free of charge an Ages and Stages chart, an accident and hazards chart, a first aid slide guide, safety stickers and first aid kit, and books such as The Gingerbread Man and Entertaining and Educating Babies and Toddlers.
Early years trainer and consultant Penny Tassoni said, 'I am concerned that when people do courses of study they get a qualification which they can succeed with, and will take them where they want to go. Therefore it needs to be properly accredited with good career guidance.'
She added that students should check out whether there are other funding options open to them before they sign up for courses.
