A Levels needed for nursery staff...is that right???

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I'm in primary school provision and there are a plethora of people in our school who perform TA roles who don't have A Levels. What they do have is life skills, enthusiasm and a great attitude towards the children. They are not all academic types, though some are.

So thinking about nursery care, is the A Level the right qualification for nursery care provision? And what will that actually do to the nurseries? Is it just lowering the salary expectations for people with A Levels again? Is it really likely to raise the standards of care for children in nurseries? Or is this just going to put more nurseries out of business, making the nurseries that charge the most and can afford to pay more in an even stronger position?

I believe that a good standard of education is essential, but the level 3 is equivalent to A-levels (however the introduction of NVQ companies that do not have high standards have lowered this in my opinion). At my nursery we have a mix of qualified staff, unqualified staff. The qualified ones have level 3 up to degree level. I believe a good mix is the answer, some of my best staff have been unqualified but with a natural ability with children.

But with the new proposals those unqualified staff wouldn't be allowed that chance to work with children. I think that's my biggest objection to the discussions at the moment. Childcare is surely more about heart than academia, and though we want our children to be stimulated from a young age, that can be done by someone who's enthusiastic far more effectively than by a kid who's got 2 A Levels and is just seeing the nursery job as a step up to something else.

absolutely agree, many time I've employed someone unqualified rather than hire someone just for having the right piece of paper. it will push up fee's too i should imagine.