Childcare practitioners seeking to upgrade their qualifications in response to the Government's drive to raise the professionalism of the sector are increasingly turning to distance learning.
This is corroborated by the National Extension College (NEC), which has been running distance learning courses for 40 years. Amanda Davies, marketing and communications manager, says, 'Enrolments have increased from 1,134 per year five years ago to 2,177 learners enrolling directly with us on childcare courses between July 2005 and June 2006.'
Traditionally, distance learning has meant taking a correspondence course, which could be quite lonely. But the advent of the internet means that today's e-learners can study in virtual classrooms, meet their fellow students in online chatrooms and enjoy the support of mentors and tutors via e-mails and text messaging.
'Distance learning can certainly be beneficial for many individuals, such as those living in rural areas who may otherwise find it difficult to gain qualifications,' says Jane Haywood, chief executive of the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). 'Candidates can also work at their own pace and fit learning around their work and family commitments.'
Maximum flexibility
Stephanie McKenzie, of Drax, North Yorkshire, who has just become a childminder, is studying for the CACHE Diploma in Home-Based Childcare. 'I gave up a job working evenings and weekends to spend more time with my family, so I didn't want a course that took me out in the evenings,' she says. 'A friend and I started the course together, and it is nice to have someone to talk about it with.
'I am cracking on with it. The great thing is that you go at your own pace.
I can sit down with my laptop and suddenly four hours has gone by.'
An advantage of courses delivered by the NEC is that they run continuously, so people can enrol at any time of the year. 'It also allows a degree of flexibility over charges,' says Ms Davies. Fees such as the 380 levied for the Level 2 Certificate in Pre-School Practice can be paid in instalments. The majority of its childcare students have their fees sponsored by their employers or local childcare partnerships.
Distance learning is cost-effective for employers. For example, a manager delivering common induction training via e-learning only has to buy the software and upgrades once, instead of having to arrange and fund separate face-to-face training sessions for each new recruit.
'E-learning is growing rapidly,' says Yvonne Nolan, director of Duo Consulting, which pioneers online childcare training. 'But there are some qualifications that lend themselves to e-learning better than others.'
'Those requiring a significant amount of observations of practice are more difficult to offer through e-learning. These would have to be combined with direct observations by an assessor.'
MsNolan adds, 'We are talking to childcare providers about the qualifications they would like to see online. We are getting interest in seeing whether we can deliver the underpinning knowledge for NVQs online.'
She says e-learning is very effective for supporting common induction training and for reflective study, such as continuing professional development courses where the practical skills are already in place. APEL is a prime example.
'For experienced practitioners taking an APEL qualification, it can be very frustrating in a classroom on an NVQ course, where they find themselves being taught the basics with a group of teenagers,' says Ms Nolan.
'Instead, as an e-learner you work at your own pace.'
Virtual world
At the CWDC, Ms Haywood recognises that some candidates may find this way of learning quite challenging. 'It can sometimes be quite lonely and difficult to stay motivated, so it is important that employers support individuals fully,' she says.
Ms Nolan agrees that there are some people who learn better in a group with a tutor, but she says what matters is the level of support and contact given to students and it can be readily provided in a virtual classroom.
'E-learning is second nature to young people who run their lives via e-mail or MSN messaging,' she says. 'The key is being motivated. You have to be motivated to sit down and turn on the computer. There is nobody standing over you. You are answerable to yourself. You don't have to be a computer wizz. If you can type in Word and send e-mails, you can do an e-course.'
She adds, 'With the availability of the Transformation Fund there is a huge drive to upgrade qualifications. People are wondering how they are going to keep pace, and e-learning is a very effective way.'
Further information
* Childcare courses on offer via distance learning extend up to degree level. For example, the Open University runs introductory level 1 courses such as Supporting Children's Learning in the Early Years, up to a foundation degree in Early Years. See www.open.ac.uk.
* Other universities such as Liverpool Hope and Dundee also offer their campus-based childcare degrees via distance learning. See www.hope.ac.uk
for details of the foundation degree in Management of Childcare Provision and BA in Nursery Management. See www.dundee.ac.uk for details of the BA Professional Development (Early Childhood Studies).
* Other established colleges and trainers providing childcare qualifications via distance learning include the National Extension College at www.nec-learn.co.uk, ICS (International Correspondence Schools) at www.icslearn.co.uk, and Duo Consulting at www.duotraining.co.uk.
CASE STUDY: KAREN TUCKER
Karen Tucker, who has been childminding for 20 years, started the CACHE Diploma in Home-Based Childcare through the National Extension College last winter. She says, 'I have been on small courses over the years, but I wanted to get the recognition that comes with the course I am doing now.
Really, you need a Level 3 qualification to get into the workplace these days.
'I decided to do the course by distance learning because I am on my own at home and what with being self-employed, I didn't want to go to college and give up a day's pay.
'I live in Wisbech and in the Fens it is difficult to access evening courses. The nearest college is a 40-minute drive.
'It suits me to stay at home and study. I can e-mail my tutor or phone her.
There are some things, such as the question I am working on at the moment, which if I was in a classroom I would be able to ask more about. But the tutor is there if you need her.
'I have just submitted my work for Unit 3 and my tutor has given it a provisional grade of a B. I am so pleased. I am 50 and this is the first work I have done like this since I left school. I am really enthusiastic about this.'
