Nursery World - At the double (1)

A fast-track Level 3 qualification is being launched in September to enable 25,000 experienced childcare practitioners to meet the national daycare standards, as well as assisting the Government in meeting its targets for expanding the provision of high quality childcare places. Candidates can choose one of two routes, in early years or playwork. The first candidates enrolling for the new Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) awards should be qualified by Christmas under the scheme funded by the Sure Start Unit and SPRITO.

The first candidates enrolling for the new Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) awards should be qualified by Christmas under the scheme funded by the Sure Start Unit and SPRITO.

The awards are aimed at early years practitioners who gained qualifications before the 1989 Children Act and experienced staff who, although they are operating at NVQ Level 3, do not hold formal qualifications at that level.

A Department for Education and Skills spokeswoman says, 'The Government announced an expansion in the number of childcare places last year and is committed to the provision of quality care by a qualified workforce. People in charge and managing settings have to have at least a Level 3 qualification, but the DfES is aware that there are settings where they don't have this qualification, despite the fact that they may have a lot of experience.'

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