Utterly Confused :S Please Help

Utterly Confused :S Please Help

by: Cezmerelda - 09-10-12 18:07

Hi all, I have searched high and low for information on the internet and failed so I've  come here to see if you can help me!

It has always been my dream to open some kind of childcare setting (creche/nursery) but have been thinking about it more and lately. However I am confused about qualifications. I understand you don't actually have to be qualified to open a nursery but I am looking to just work in a nursery to begin with.

I am currently doing a degree in Primary Education with QTS. My question is if I'm interested in working in nursery settings (with babies and toddlers) afterwards, will my degree enable me to do this? Is being a qualified Primary Teacher sufficient or should I start again on some kind of Childcare course? Thanks in advance

by: purepurple

Turn the question around. if you were the owner of a nursery would you employ a teacher to look after babies and toddlers?

Or would you want someone with a qualification in childcare and experiece of this age group?

Have you answered your own question?

by: me

i have people with degrees in my childcare classes every year. they are in no way equipped to work with under 5s neither are those with early year degrees. i had a fantastic learner who did her 2 then her 3 she had an MA in education. she is now working as a deputy and is fantastic. She was unemplyable before. you can own a setting but would have to employ a suitable person and manager from the start. 

RE: RE: Utterly Confused :S Please Help - 10-10-12 10:54

by: Cezmerelda

Thanks for your replies, I'm sorry if my question seems a stupid one I'm just very unclear where to go from here. I've taken a year out of my degree because I'd rather invest the time getting nearer to my dream of working with young children. What ways are there of getting the qualifications I need? I live in an extremely rural area and so it's really hard. My local college may offer a full time course in Childcare but I'm not sure I need to look into it, to be honest though I'd rather not do it full time anyway simply because I need to work for money as well. What other ways are there of getting level 2/3/4? Are there any online courses that count? I found a website called Parenta which seems to be especially good as it's based on work experience but have not heard back from them. How about a degree in Childhood studies- I know my university offers this but don't want to do it if that won't count either? Please help and thanks in advance.

by: me

how can you learn how to be a childcare practitioner by not working in the field? you need to commit to it. you can do your 2 2 days a week and then if someone will emply you work for them the other 3 but you have to do seveal 100 hours to gain your level 2 then 400 to gain your license to practice ie level 3. i dont emply people with degrees and no experience and have them do my level 3 becuase they really have no clue how to DO it. with parenta you still have to be working in childcare. i think you need to have a good long think, if this is what you want to do you need to put the study and hours in there are short cuts becuase children deserve quality 

RE: RE: Utterly Confused :S Please Help - 10-10-12 18:26

by: Cezmerelda

I don't want a short cut, I just said that I didn't want to spend five full days at college because I can't afford to not be working. I currently volunteer at a school and kids club on top of a nightly waitressing job so it's got nothing to do with me being committed. I don't think you understand my question to be honest. I'm asking what ways there are of getting a level 2/3/4 because I live in the middle of nowhere with very limited educational establishments. That's why I was asking if there are online methods of doing it, or other ways besides a full time college course because I don't know if that's available in my area. I know that a childhood studies degree is available in my uni but I don't know if this gives you the appropriate level of qualification? I know that it's based around work experience. I'm sorry if its coming across that I'm not committed, I promise you I am I'm just asking the question because I know where I want to be(working with young children in a nursery) but I have no idea how to get there? If its not too much trouble, would you mind explaining to me what routes there are of getting the correct qualifications? I keep searching for courses but am having trouble finding anything. Thank you, sorry if its too much trouble- I appreciate your help.

by: Cezmerelda

Also, I am very much willing to put in the hours of work experience, already have years of experience just don't have any qualifications. That's what I'm unsure of- the ways to gain the qualifications? If there's nothing available at my local college are there any online courses that count? If not, is a childhood studies degree (with weekly work placements) applicable? Sorry, I'm just very confused as to how you get the qualifications. Keep hearing about level two, level three etc but no idea how to get them! x

by: Liz

You need to be very careful with online courses, as some 'colleges' offer courses which appear to be a full and relevant qualification, but turn out not to be. See our story for more information.

However, there are online options. Childcare Company, for example, offers the Level 2 and Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce qualifications. Smart Training also has online faciilities.

Or you could do the degree and then Early Years Professional Status, but this would obviously take much longer. The government is due to respond to the Nutbrown Review of qualifications soon - she recommended an early years teaching specialist route, but we don't know yet if that will be accepted or when it might become available if it is.

Good luck