childcare qualifications - are they really compulsory?

[azazello]

I'm a parent using a very good (ofsted's view as well!) CM atm. She has GCSEs but no A-levels and has been told to keep her registration she will have to do a level 2 childcare course (NVQ?) asap and start working towards a level 3. The only place locally which does this runs the course on a weekday morning.

She will be looking after my children full time although DD is in pre-school 5 mornings a week. I am hoping to get some flexible working agreed but it is unlikely to allow me to be at home for a full day mid-week which it would need to be to allow travelling.

Is the information right? Does she have to do this qualification or are there any exemptions? While I support childcarers being recognised for the incredibly hard work they put in, I doubt I will be able to use her if she has to do this. Any advice?

Who has told her that she must do a level 2 then 3, it is unlikely to be Ofsted as there is nothing laid down in law at present that you have to have a level 3 qualification. However it is highly recommended & it is anticipated that it will eventually become compulsory. I say a level 3 because as childminders we work solely & therefore in a supervisory capacity which is what level 3 is.
At present the childcare qualifications are going through a phase of change with one Diploma to 'fit all' being brought in as from this September, although some colleges aren't starting it until next year due to the lack of information about it. I haven't heard yet what the Distance Learning colleges (like NEC) are doing with regards to this. The new qualification is modular with some compulsory aspects & then some specifically for childmnders (similar to current NVQ). Best for her to find out from NEC (National Extension College) what they are offering as they only do distance learning. Or alternativley she could do E100 with the Open University (level 4) which again is distance learning & would more than qualify her.

We had been talking about her becoming a nanny for me (and Ofsted registered) because she has been doing a lot of after school care and wouldprefer to work ft but looking after just the 2 children instead of differnt children every day so she contacted Ofsted who said that she had to be level 2 to register as a nanny and would have to do it in he future to be a CM.

I'll mention the OU course etc and see if she is interested. I would be happy to pay for it if it is something she'd want to do.

Thanks very much badgerhead. I've looked up the OU stuff which looks incredibly helpful and I'll mention it to her when I see her tomorrow.

It will become compulsory to have a qualification but her doing a level 2 is quite frankly pointless as CMs are going to need level 3s sometime around 2015 (under current plans). Plus as badger mentioned the plans for childcare qualifications are all up in the air because this new Diploma is going to be phased in but no-one knows anything about it. I certainly wouldn't be enrolling on a level 2 or 3 in childcare right now not knowing what was going on.

To register with OFSTED at the moment as a nanny she needs to do the ICP (which presumably she already has a CM, her 12 hour paeds 1st aid (again, she has), change her insurance to nanny insurance and have a CRB done from OFSTED (which she already has!). No hassle for her if she's already registered as a CM. OFSTED are talking rubbish.

I thoroughly, thoroughly recommend the OU. I've found their courses accessible, well structured and my current course has wonderful tutor support, not that the last one was bad - merely adequate.

My DH is doing his level 3 through NEC correspondence

Here they do level 3 NVQ through a training provider ( I think Wessex Training) assessor comes out to see you, ans everything is done at home.

Agree pointless doing Level 2, go straight to L3, I rushed mine through as the first date for CM's to be L3 was 2010, then 2012 now it's looking more towards 2015.

Personally I would wait to see exactly which qualification they are wanting it seems up in the ait atm.

She doesnt have to go to college, I didnt, didnt have time and frankly they waste so much time pratting about during the day it drives me potty. So whichever course needs doing she will be able to do distance learning.

I did nvq3 in ccld and didnt attend college. I had an assessor who came to my home to do observations and who kept in touch by phone and email. All of the other training I have done has been in my own time - wouldnt dream of expecting parents to make alternative arrangements because I had to go to college. But I suppose it depends on your Local Authority - ours is very good.

Thank you all very much. I think our LA is a bit rubbish but distance learning sounds like a good thing to do. I'm certainly happy to support her however possible to do the course distance learning and think it is a generally good thing to do - just helpful if they sort out exactly what they want and make it as easy as possible for people to do it while working!

Google nvq3 ccld training providers in your locality, some still have funding but there is generally a waiting list (3 months in our area), it takes about 6-9 months to complete the course in your own home with an assessor.
The funding is through train to gain.
The course is changing in september it will still be a level 3 but more appropriate to all childcare.
She should contact her childminding development officer. She could also carry on being your childminder and also a self employed nanny for your and mix the 2 by being on the voluntary register which many are anyway and adding nanny insurance.
I do this for a family and ofsted will only inspect me as a nanny if my nanny hours become more than the childminding hours and I will have to inform them if this happens, other than that ofsted are happy with what I do, and so are hmrc with my dual registration and self employed status.