Children's
& Young People's Services
Careers in Childcare
Getting Trained / Qualified
There are two main ways to train for a qualification: you can study
whilst you work or undertake a course of study. This could be at a local venue, a further
education college or a sixth form college or other learning centre.
Bexley Organisational
Development Team has a variety of childcare qualifications available for childcare
practitioners working either paid or voluntary with children within the Bexley
Borough, these are funded via Sure Start.
For further information regarding qualification training and the criterion for
each course please check the Continued
Professional Development Training Programme. The programme also has a selection
of short courses available for childcare practitioners working with Bexley children
in either a paid or voluntary basis. If you have any further enquiries please
contact the team on  020 8836 8064.
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Vocational Qualifications
There are two main ways to achieve a recognised qualification in early years,
childcare education and playwork: Vocationally Related
Qualifications (VRQs)
and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).
Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs)
VRQs can be gained at a further education college, Sixth Form College or
other learning centre. There are a variety of courses leading to qualifications
to suit your needs. You can study full or part time and gain some practical experience
in a work setting. Courses are also available through distance learning though
you will need to arrange how to get suitable workplace experience. Entry qualifications
will depend on the course you take. Study support will be available to ensure
your learning needs are met.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
NVQs are work-related, competence-based
qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively
and show that a candidate is competent in the area of work the NVQ framework
represents. They give those who are already experienced and skilled in their
work a chance to achieve a recognised qualification. You continue to work, studying
part time, and build a portfolio of your achievements. An NVQ assessor will assess
your portfolio and observe your work. The whole process usually takes between
12 months and two years, but the pace is up to you.
There are different levels of qualification suitable for every stage of your
career.
Foundation level: For people with little or no experience
of working with children. At college you will be given work placements to gain
practical experience or as an apprentice you will train while you work.
Level two: For those who are working under supervision such
as a Nursery Assistant or Playgroup Assistant working with children under five
or an assistant playworker in an out of school setting.
Level three: For those who work on their own initiative,
planning and organising their own work and supervising others, for example, a
nursery nurse, playgroup leader, senior playworker or a childminder working on
their own at home.
Level four: For experienced practitioners who carry out complex
and non-routine tasks such as a manager of an early years nursery or out of school
setting or a development officer for a local authority.
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Other ways to gain qualifications
Diploma in Children's Learning and Development
At 16+ you can take a 2-year full time 'Diploma in Children's Learning and
Development' course at a further education or sixth form college
leading directly to a level 3 qualification. It covers children's development
from birth up to 8 years old as well as working with parents and carers, and
you will have plenty of work placements to gain valuable experience.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are now the main route to free work based training
for those under 25 years old and are now available in the early years care and
education field.
There are two levels:
- Modern Apprenticeships usually last at least a year and
apprentices work towards a National Vocational Qualification at Level 2, Key
Skills and Technical Certificates.
- Advanced Apprenticeships usually last at least two years
and apprentices work towards a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3,
Key Skills and Technical Certificates.
There are no set entry requirements for Apprenticeships. You just need to
be living in England, aged 16 or above and not taking part in full-time education.
Useful websites include:
Working at a School
If you would like to work in a school there are now opportunities to work
in a school setting as a teaching assistant. This term includes Early Years Practitioner,
Learning Support Assistant, Minority Ethnic Support Assistant, Information Communication
Technology Assistant and others who help teachers in the classroom or pre-school
setting.
You will need to apply directly to a school. Within Bexley, suitable current
vacancies are advertised via this website under school support
staff vacancies.
Useful websites
include:
Currently Out of Work
New Deal is a Government programme that aims to give unemployed people the
help and support they need to get into work. Everyone on New Deal gets a personal
advisor who is his or her point of contact throughout the programme. The personal
advisor takes the time to understand you – your experiences, interests
and goals – so a plan can be prepared to get you into a suitable job. New
Deal options are open to younger and older unemployed workers, people with disabilities
and lone parents wishing to return to work. You can also receive help with your
childcare costs.
Even if you are not eligible for a New Deal programme, you local jobcentre
can help you find out about opportunities to work in this area.
Contact Jobcentreplus:
Already Working in Childcare
If you are already working in childcare or playwork you will be able to gain
a recognised qualification by working towards an NVQ while you work. Check which
level qualification you could be working towards using the table provided previously.
An NVQ should be completed within two years but you can work at your own pace.
For those working in supervisory positions without an appropriate qualification
you may be able to have your previous learning and experience working with children
accredited through APEL which will help you gain a relevant qualification.
High Education Qualifications
If you would like to undertake a high education qualification,
the Early Years Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree (EYSEFD) is an exciting, new
higher education qualification at level 4 that will lead to a new level of professional
practice known as the 'Senior Practitioner'. The Foundation Degree
is open to all those working in early years settings. Students will need to have
a level 3 qualification in early years, childcare or playwork (or equivalent)
and at least 2 years' experience of working in the sector. (Those students
who do not hold a level 3 qualification may discuss APEL procedures with their
intended institution of study.)
Useful websites include:
Working at Home
No formal qualifications are required to become a childminder, although in
Bexley you are required to undertake an 'Introduction to Childcare Practice'
course and also a twelve hour paediatric first aid certificate. If you are interested
in becoming a childminder it could be helpful to complete our pre-registration
form. Anyone applying to become a childminder should expect to be asked to
provide a range of references and undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check. Caring
for children in your own home will require health and safety inspections via
Ofsted.
If you are a childminder, a level 3 'Diploma in Homebased Care' may
be most relevant to your work. Even though it is not a requirement of registration
it will help you to demonstrate your professionalism to parents. For further
information on becoming a childminder contact the Family Information Service 020 8856 5398 or email fis@bexley.gov.uk.
Working with young children in a registered daycare setting
Nursery Nurses work with children 0-8 years in a variety of settings such
as schools, crèches, nurseries, hospitals and private households.
Working in a pre-school or playgroup
Pre-schools and playgroups provide morning or afternoon care, play and early
education for children usually aged between two and five. For many parents helping
out in your local playgroup will be your first experience of working in childcare.
As an assistant in a pre-school or playgroup you can work towards a level 2 Certificate
in Pre-school Practice which takes 240 teaching hours. You can then move on to
a level 3 Diploma in Pre-school Practice if you want to be a playgroup leader.
Useful websites include:
Working in a classroom with school aged children
Teaching assistants can update their knowledge and skills through level 2
or 3 NVQ's for Teaching Assistants. You can also study for a foundation
degree or train to attain the standards for the Higher Level Teaching Assistant.
Details can be found on ![[external link]](../../../images/navext.gif) www.hlta.gov.uk for details on working in a Bexley School
email Dilys Oliver at ![[email link]](../../../images/navenv.gif) dilys.oliver@bexley.gov.uk.
Working in out of school and holiday play provision
Playwork involves providing opportunities for children and young people from
4-15 years to play in either an out-of-school or holiday playscheme setting. If
you work part time, there are a variety of routes to gaining a level 2 or 3 in
Playwork including appropriate part time college courses. The Early Years Sector
Endorsed Foundation Degree (working with children 0-8 years) which has a playwork
strand is available for experienced practitioners.
A Playwork Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree (working with children 4-16 years)
entered its pilot phase in September 2005. For further information visit www.skillsactive.com.
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Where next?
For information on London Borough of Bexley funded qualification courses check the Childcare
Recruitment & Development Services Training Programme, or contact Jackie
Collen at:
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