Speaking at a special presentation last week to training providers at Somerset House in London, CACHEchief executive Richard Dorrance outlined some of the changes that will begin to kick in once the new Occupational Standards are approved.
'New awards being developed for next year include a level 4 certificate in professional development and an effective team leaders award,' said Mr Dorrance. 'There will also be new NVQs at levels 2, 3 and 4 in children's care, learning and development.'
At the event, Chris Wells, head of the Children's Workforce Strategy at the DfES, also reiterated how the Government intends to boost professionalism and career prospects for everyone working in childcare.
'Inconsistent standards and qualification requirements are barriers to an integrated workforce and also inhibit career paths for individuals,' he said. 'A climbing frame of qualifications linked to the common core and the revision of the national occupational standards is designed to address this.'
Mr Wells said it was vital to enhance the status of the sector to reduce its high turnover and persuade individuals to stick with it - 'rather than going to work at Tesco or B&Q'.
He said, 'We want to see the creation of senior posts which will allow practitioners to remain hands-on with children in roles they enjoy, rather than having to move into administrative, bureaucratic posts in order to achieve higher wages and status.'
The new occupational standards are now expected to be approved by February.
CACHE says that their introduction will increase standardisation between awarding bodies and at the same time increase competition.
