New legislation re staff qualifications in September? Anyone know about this?

[Elibean]

My dd's 'head' told me this morning she was in a spin over forthcoming legislation changes, requiring her staff to have NVQ level 3 or more in Early Years training. There are three or four longstanding members of the staff who have different and non-qualifying training, but 20+ years of experience - she's worried they will leave rather than re-train at this time in their lives.

TBH, I didn't get the impression she fully understood the paperwork she'd received - she's a hands on sort of woman, and admin isn't her strong point at the best of times. But its a lovely nursery/pre-school, and dd's teacher is doing a great job of preparing them for Reception.

Does anyone know whether existing staff will be able to stay on some sort of 'grandparenting' scheme, or do they all have to re-train?

dd2 is due to start there next year, so I'm interested for us as well as for the nursery itself...

IIRC half staff must be NVQ3 qualified

Hmm Quote "As the EYFS will apply to provision in all sectors (private, voluntary, independent and maintained), a single set of requirements for adult: child ratios will be applied to all early years settings.

The ratio requirements of all registered providers for children aged up to 3 in group settings will be:

• one adult for every three children under 2
• one adult for every four 2 year olds

The ratio requirements of all registered providers for 3 and 4 year olds in any registered early years provision will be:

• one adult for every 8 children applies for any time outside the hours of 8am and 4pm and at any time where a person with qualified teacher status, early years professional status or another suitable level 6 qualification is not working directly with children. At least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 (as defined by CWDC) and at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 (as defined by CWDC).
• one adult for every 13 children applies between the hours of 8am and 4pm where a person with qualified teacher status, early years professional status or another suitable level 6 qualification is working directly with children. At least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 (as defined by CWDC)."

I think that means a quarter need a level 2

Actually that doesn't seem the right quite - I'll have another look

I think you should forgive her for being confused and read p48-49 of this

Not sure I understand it really

Yikes

I totally forgive her for being confused. I heard a Radio 4 programme about the changes in Childminder legislation, and it sounded equally confusing, long-winded and depressing (to existing childminders of long standing). Education

Thanks so much for taking the time to try and unravel that, and for the link. Will try and make sense of it in the morning when more brain cells are functioning.

That was me!!!!

It's the same document - I was the one who said it wasn't that bad an idea just a little impractical to actually do

Really, that was you? wow!

You were the voice of reason, I remember! What happened to the nice (but sad) childminder lady who was going to stop minding? I wonder if she's a MNer too?

Thanks again, I'll know who to call on for confusing legislation issues from now on

Thanks

I wondered that too - she was very unhappy

The NCMA lady was a bit....hmmm

I can't understand it - but I can normally find it

It really depends how many staff she has working for her and what qualification other members of staff have. If she only has the 4 staff with no qualifications she has problems I'm afraid.

Agreed, KM, re the other lady

I think she has three with NVQs, but apart from one they are not group leaders - and one is very junior. Her mainstay senior staff are not NVQ qualified, one (dd's class teacher) is Montessori trained, a couple did their training decades ago, can't remember the name of their qualifications but not NVQ. There are four main group leaders, and probably about 15 staff altogether??

There are a lot of qualifications depending when they trained personally I don't think much of the NVQ qualification compared to older training qualifications. eypquals.cwdcouncil.org.uk/public/guidance_for/practitioners/route1/index.asp

Thats pretty much what the head teacher said. She's also horrified that according to the new legislation, her most junior member of the team - who does have an NVQ level 3 - is in a position to lead the team, whereas her most experienced, loved, and competent group leaders don't!

I mean, 'aren't'.

I need to sleep