cm and NVQ 3

[popperdoodles]

Only became registered this year and now it I have found out I have to do NVQ 3 by 2010. I understand this is something that has been known for a while and am quite cross that no one told me this at ICP course or briefing session or at any other training stuff considering 2010 is not that far away now, but hey never mind. So now trying to find out about it and wondered if anyone on here has done it or in the middle of doing it and could maybe tell me what is involved?? How long does it take to complete and will it take over my life? Can I get funding or do I have to pay for it all myself? Feeling ever so slightly pissed off today as cm is starting to turn into not what i thought it would be i.e. too much red tape, paperwork etc and am starting to doubt if I have made the right decision in becoming a childminder. Don't get me wrong I love looking after children and doing activities etc with them and I knew it would be hard work, just not in that way! Sorry turned into a rant. Any info on NVQ 3 please?

I have (hopefully) just finished my nvq3, and it has taken me a good while to do, howefver this was due to work an family problems, and having a succession of useless tutors.

If you do a question or two each night, I think you would soon fly through it. A lot of questions are very , in that theyare badly worded, or annoyingly simple and feel like a waste of time to type out!

Most areas of UK have funding available,I got100% funding.

Sorry to hear the paperwork is getting you down. I think a lot of cms are feeling the same way.

I didn't know you had to do an NVQ3 by 2010......um where is that written down?

here KM

But there is nothing legislative on that thread saying that CMers need an NVQ3 by 2010 - (or did I miss that?)

I know that new childminders have to do it.

New childminders? Is it in EYFS? I didn't read that bit obv

What about existing?

I read it in something a while ago, but I am sure that existing childminders were ok. As I would some day like to do it but currently don't have the time.

I have only heard through childminder gossip. Still awaiting official confirmation from my development officer. I was planning to do it at some point but now feel rushed into doing it before I feel ready. At least if I get on and do it it gives me more options for working with children if and when I move on from cm. Thanks for the info, going to make some enquiries about funding.

its any level 3 qualifaction so you could do dhc.

The CM I work with is in her 50's retiring in 4-5 yrs time she has an NVQ in care work & doesn't want to do another one - she will be most put out

(put this on the wrong thread by mistake)

whats DHC?

I have definitely heard this too, i think if you are qualified as a nursery nurse, you dont have to do it. I took it to mean that all childminders, old and new, had to do it. My sister did it a couple of years ago, was a nightmare, very long winded questions and seemed an odd format (lots of vague assignments that were worded strangely, so when you did them you didnt quite answer the question so had to keep going back to it to add more). But my sis is incurable perfectionist, so she may have been making a meal of it. If i have to do it, will do minimum to pass, probably!

I have just had an email back from my cm development officer who has told me that the government's aim is for all childcare practitioners to have or be working towards NVQ 3 by 2010. So sounds like there is no specific deadline you have to have it by or you will be deregistered sort of thing. Feeling alot more positive about doing it today now I kbnow I can take it at my own pace with no pressure.

Have done the DHC (Diploma in Home Childcare). I am in Southampton, the council funds your course, well 85% of it so we had to only pay a little bit on course materials (books). It took 18 months to do the 4 units which continue on from the ICP which is classed as unit 1.

I really really enjoyed the social aspect of meeting up every week. There were about 14 of us which varied slightly on each unit as people can join anytime during the course which now runs continuosly. We all met up for meals and have formed some lasting friendships.

The downside was that you do have to do some work. You have to show up to 80% of the meetings. There is weekly homework but not the kind you hand in, it's stuff which benefits your final written assignment. Such as practice on researching for quotes, or looking at theories or just some background reading to do. There is a written assignment to do and to be honest alot of us found it hard not to produce a whole book. People's work varied between 12 pages and 30 pages. There was some stress around the deadline dates and my method of forcing myself to actually write it was to go away for a weekend (I had done all the research before hand - you couldn't seriously expect to do the whole course in a weekend)

The obvious major upside is that you learn LOADS and LOADS even about things you are confident with. Everyone who has done it has really been pleased with themselves.

Forgot to say it is a graded Diploma so you can aim to pass at 40% or can be graded. I think three of us got A out of about 14 people.