WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED?

[MollyMooMin]

Hi.I'm 35 & my DD is nearly 2. I'm thinking about a future career in working with young children(when my DD will be at school herself). Does anyone have any info on what courses there are available, fees etc?

Does this help?

do you mean as a childminder or working in a nursary?

i think many colleges do ACCESS to childcare course which are a good way of getting into sa subject if you havent studied for a long time.
then there are various NVQ's which you can train for whilt working.

I have just completed the Cache Level 2 Certificate in Pre-School Practice. I attended college for 1.5 days per week. You are also required to arrange a placement in a pre-school for the duration of the course - probably equates to 2 sessions a week but as I am employed in one my workd hours covered this. The course was pretty straigt forward and you are set four assignments during the year. I believe a written exam is being introduced though from this year. I intend to do level 3 next year when ds is full time at school.

I know I sound totally stupid, but where do I get more information on these nvq courses, either studying from home, or going to a college?

the nvq courses would have to be a college has they are work experience inclusive.call your local adult learning college for further info.
for a child day care course from home im using study house.they are great its the second course with them for a diploma.my first with them was a years course in child psychology diploma. next ear i want to do an access to healthcare course.then maybe a degree from there.

I did my NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education alongisde the Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Practice through a nationwide trianing provider. Smart Training!!

Absolutely fantastic, I have to say. Working through the week (went part time when DD was born) and college on one Saturday a month, so a whole month to do your work.

If you'd like a number for them, let me know!

They also do the level 2

Oh and as for fees, the government have just allocated funds for people working in childcare, not sure how it works from area to area, but I was awarded £1500 plus expenses for books etc to do the Foundation Degree in Early Years at Roehampton Uni.

I am currently doing the level 3 Diploma in Pre-school practice and like the level 2, you need to be working either paid or voluntarily in nursery or pre-school. You can do these courses through a company called NEC (national extention college) but they still require you to have a placement. You can get a bursary for some courses through your local early years department. A good place to start is (childcarelink.gov.uk) The course I am doing is being funded this way and I am taking it through the PLA (pre-school learning alliance (pre-school.org.uk) Good luck and don't be put off. Its a wonderful career, although very poorly paid.