Nursery World - CACHE secures training funds

CACHE, the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education, has secured funding from the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) to maintain the services of the Early Years National Training Organisation (NTO) until March next year. The awarding body has received a grant of Pounds 49,100 to implement the revised Modern Apprenticeship programme in early years care and education, advise employers on recruitment and training, advise Government and its agencies, and promote the use of the Early Years National Occupational Standards. The SSDA was set up to underpin the network of UK-wide Sector Skills Councils which replaced NTOs in April 2002, and is responsible for providing minimum cover for essential functions in sectors without an SSC - such as early years.

The awarding body has received a grant of 49,100 to implement the revised Modern Apprenticeship programme in early years care and education, advise employers on recruitment and training, advise Government and its agencies, and promote the use of the Early Years National Occupational Standards. The SSDA was set up to underpin the network of UK-wide Sector Skills Councils which replaced NTOs in April 2002, and is responsible for providing minimum cover for essential functions in sectors without an SSC - such as early years.

CACHE chief executive Richard Dorrance said he was pleased that the SSDA was supporting the sector until a Sector Skills Council was established to cover it. A steering group has been formed to take this forward and prepare for a conference in June. However, it is understood there are divisions within the sector on the issue. The Department for Education and Skills is pressing for a children and young people's sector skills council, which would include playworkers and those working in social care, as well as early years workers. But the Department of Health is believed to be opposed to this idea.

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