starting diploma in home based childcare

[imamumof3]

Hi

I will be starting my diploma in home based childcare next month, does anybody know if there are any other courses I need to do after this one,

Thanks

Are you registering as a childminder?
If so, then you need to do the ICP... which is Unit 1 of the Diploma in Home Based Childcare I think. Assuming you are doing this course then Unit 1 is the compulsory part required for Ofsted Registration. Other units can then be done so you get the Level 3 award. This would be suggest to do, as the regulator may require all childcarers at some point to be trained to Level 3 standard.

You can then go on to other courses in Early Years education, such as degree level courses.

Yes I am registering as a childminder, I have just looked at the link you left, that has helped me out alot.

Thank You NannyNick

Do the unit one but don't bother with the rest, if you want to get a level 3 do the nvq3 as it is a recognised award with other childrens jobs, whereas the dhc is only for childminding.
The nvq3 is changing in september so try to get funding and on a course before then otherwise you may find they have introduced an exam.
All childminders will have to have a level 3 by 2015.

Speak to your early years department or local colleges and nvq providers and see if funding is available, i've just finished mine but there is a waiting list of 3/4 months in this area.

I also wouldn't bother with the dhc - the nvq3 is much more transferrable.

I was under the impression the DHBC was a level 3 qualification?

So if there is no point in doing it, as from what Ive read here it doesnt seem to be 'transferable', why do those starting out as childminders have to do unit 1.
I think what Im triy to say although its a level 3 qualification. unlike the NVQ3 its not worth the paper its written on?

Why not make childminders do the NVQ3 instead?

Mmm the DHC is a level 3 BUT it's only applicable to a home based setting so you could work as a nanny or a childminder and that's it. With an NVQ it's possible to work in virtually any childcare setting including hospitals, nurseries and schools.

The ICP, which is unit 1, covers a lot about caring for children in the home which the NVQ doesn't necessarily, but as a whole qualification it's much more about how legislation affects home-based childcare, how to do EYFS in a home-based setting and other, well, home-based issues. IIRC there are basic food hygiene and child safety questions as well as appropriate parental communication and discipline which are the bare essentials a childminder needs. It's a question of minimum training which is tested by an exam - the NVQ isn't a test of retained knowledge.

i agree with those saying rather do an NVQ. i did the DHC and ran headlong into it without having a good look at what it involved. It was a good course and i enjoyed it, but i reckon the NVQ is a much better idea.

What number4 said

thanks for your comments, after reading what you have all said, it would be a better idea to do the nvq3, do i ask the same training centre that is doing the dhc?

Who's doing the DHC for you?

See if they offer the NVQ, otherwise contact your local authority or ask around your network (if you have one) for where other people did theirs.