As the consultation on the criteria to underpin the new Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications has just come to a close, the sector is left wondering how much change is on the way.
The new qualifications are set to be introduced in September 2014 and all that is known currently is that they will take on average two years to complete and entrants will need to have at least Grade C GCSE in English and maths.
The draft criteria have been developed taking into account recommendations made by Professor Cathy Nutbrown in her review of qualifications. The criteria has also taken into consideration the content of the former NNEB Nursery Nurse Diploma, the National Occupational Standards for Children's Care, Learning & Development and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Meanwhile nursery employers are keen to know whether the BTEC Level 3 in Children's Play, Learning and Development, which was launched by Edexcel last year, will be full and relevant and confer Early Years Educator status. The BTEC meets the criteria set out by Cathy Nutbrown and has wide support from the sector for its emphasis on child development and play based learning.
A FRESH START
The new qualification criteria could mean significant change for the way some training providers operate. This is particularly with regard to having to use good and outstanding providers for placements and if there are any new requirements for classroom-based learning hours.
But at Chiltern College in Reading, principal Chris Lawrence (right) is positive about the overhaul.'I believe this is a great opportunity for a fresh start and a new look at what the Level 3 practitioner really needs in terms of skills, experience and knowledge.
'I also think it's a good opportunity to review the balance of emphasis on each subject area within the qualifications. For example, currently there is a huge amount of emphasis on each subject area within the qualifications and, while this is obviously important, I do not believe it is as important as teaching students how to observe and assess children and to use these assessments to help a child develop.'
Ms Lawrence does not anticipate that the introduction of new qualifications will have a major impact on the college's approach. 'We have designed our own course around what we believe early practitioners (particularly those going on to work as nannies) need to know,' she says. 'We then incorporate the up-to-date Level 3 qualification requirements into our course. All of our students have a wide range of practical experience across the age range in a variety of settings and also have a good amount of regular classroom based learning.'
Ms Lawrence hopes that awarding bodies will provide the necessary guidance and support to these providers. 'I believe that it is very important that, alongside the new qualifications, a robust system is put in place by awarding bodies to regulate, monitor and review the delivery of the qualification by colleges and training providers to help to ensure quality and consistency across the sector,' she says.
A question that remains is whether Levels 1 and 2 will continue to exist in the new qualifications landscape. 'I think that this is extremely unclear and have not seen any indication of how Level 1 or Level 2 qualifications would fit into the new Early Years Educator awards,' she says.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
CACHE is gearing up to offer a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification next year, and chief executive Richard Dorrance says his organisation is currently working with its employer customers to gain feedback for content. 'We are keen to develop an industry-leading qualification that meets the needs of learners and employers in this complex qualifications landscape,' he says. 'We are currently waiting for final criteria from the Government before we start work on the detail.'
In the meantime CACHE is encouraging training centres to continue delivering the Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education (NQF), the Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (QCF) and the Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and young People's Workforce.
Tutors can expect a support programme to roll out in Autumn 2013, with information days and support materials to make the introduction of the new qualification as smooth as possible.
'Our early years experts will be available to offer advice and to answer questions, or to run information days on customers' premises,' says Dr Dorrance.
CACHE anticipates there will still be a need for other qualifications for practitioners working with children older than seven in out-of-school settings.
'CACHE is engaging with the Teaching Agency to gain further information about apprenticeships and how they will work for Early Years Educators.'
