Carole Edmond of Teddies Nurseries, speaking at last week's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Childcare debate called 'Is NVQ the Gold Standard?', said that the NVQ 'does not train to the level required in order for providers to deliver the Government's vision and strategy for very young children in the UK'.
There was a particular gap in understanding child development, she said, especially with under-twos, and the skills gap was even bigger for working with children who have disabilities or special needs.
'People with an NVQ2 will start work, and after a month they can't cope with policies, procedures or indeed the children, and they leave,' she added. 'People finish the course and don't know what Birth to Three or the Early Years Foundation Stage are.' She said there was an increasing burden on employers to fill the gap and get staff up to the right level.
Ms Edmond called for NVQs to be improved with:
- Entry-level criteria
- A structured and time-specific syllabus
- Greater demonstration of theoretical understanding prior to practical application
- More robust assessment and examination
- Outcomes that are based on attainment, not volume and through-put.
She also argued that employers should be more engaged, involved in and recognised for developing the skills of the children's workforce, and asked for 'clearer and more accessible funding streams for employers to continue to invest in workforce development.'
The children's workforce needs to have people who are properly trained and rewarded, Ms Edmond said. 'We must recognise that childcare is a profession, not just a career option for people with low academic achievement.'
