Nursery World - State of confusion?

Practitioners with an NNEB predating the 1989 Children Act are increasingly worried that, with the development of the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) last year, they have been effectively downgraded to Level 2. Simon Vevers asks if there is any basis for their concerns. For many dedicated childcare practitioners, who previously had no more than an introductory level qualification, it seemed a golden opportunity to get to Level 3 to match their extensive experience in the sector. When the Westminster government's Sure Start Unit funded the development of the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) last year it was made clear that it was aimed at practitioners with the relevant skills and competencies.

For many dedicated childcare practitioners, who previously had no more than an introductory level qualification, it seemed a golden opportunity to get to Level 3 to match their extensive experience in the sector. When the Westminster government's Sure Start Unit funded the development of the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) last year it was made clear that it was aimed at practitioners with the relevant skills and competencies.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) also said then - as it does now - that 'there is no requirement for people holding the pre-1989 National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) Level 3 qualification to undertake this APEL qualification'.

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