Now follows the news that plans are under way for a single level 3 qualification to replace the many that currently exist. The prospect of this one-fits-all qualification was raised by Pauline Jones, Early Years National Programme Manager at the Children's Workforce Development Council, at Nursery World's 'EYFS: Six Months On' conference last week (see News, page 3 and Analysis, pages 10-11).
This could have huge ramifications across the early years sector, potentially bringing to an end the division between work-based and college-based qualifications in favour of a level 3 that could be done in 'bite-sized chunks' to suit individual learners. Ms Jones said she recognised the complexity of this task and the plethora of vested interests and awarding bodies that would be involved.
There would be some major advantages to this course of action. At the moment, the variety and number of qualifications can only serve to promote confusion and complication. It would be easier to monitor quality and cut down inconsistency with a single qualification, and it would help to 'professionalise' the early years sector. Progress to Early Years Professional Status, another challenging target, would be smoother as well.
However, the grand vision of a level 3 workforce led by graduate EYPs will always be blurred by the issues of pay and the cost of running a nursery, which remain largely untackled by Government. Until then, as one delegate said, 'Why? Why bother?'
