CCLD&GCSE

CCLD&GCSE

by: lyns74 - 20-07-09 16:04

I am almost at the end of my NVQ 3 in CCLD and have been told by my assessor that i should have or be working towards GCSE's in English and Maths.

Has anyone else been told this?.

by: Maestro

You need at least a C grade in both Maths and English I do believe. This was the case when I did my training moons ago.

by: red sun

She's probably talking about kay skills. Ask her to explain

by: joshuajones

Isn't that why you do key skills in Literacy and numeracy ???

Are you doing a stand alone L3 or a Modern Apprenticeship. If you are doing the MA then key skills should have been undertaken routinely.

by: lyns74

Thanks for replies!

Am doing level 3 on it's own as i am a mature student.Am just annoyed/confused that in the 3 years of being on course no one has mentioned this,as i has to declare my previous qualifications

by: billabong

I am pretty much sure that I am correct in saying that you don't need grade C or above in GCSE English and/or maths to complete your NVQ, (I do stand to be corrected), BUT, as an employer I would expect this standard as a minimum with at least a further 3 GCSE passes at grade C or above.

by: kaz (the first one!)

Nope. I'm level 5 and never had to do math or english GCSE's (can't you tell!?!?) However because I am going on to do EYP I do indeed need thses now. Having done the relevant courses for the L5 I don't need to do English but I still need to do math (in the very near future!)

Also as an employer I wouldn't look at GCSE's only that the relevant childcare qualification had been gained and that the candidate could fill in the application form and give a successful interview.

by: lyns74

Thanks Kaz-that's boosted my confidence as my assessor thinks i may struggle to get a job due to my age(35) and lack of experience,and lack of GCSE's!!

RE: RE: CCLD&GCSE - 21-07-09 08:00

by: starfleur

i dont think youll have any problem finding a job. all settings ive worked in (private, public, sure start) employ people aged 35 or over as practicioners.

most parents(and parents to be, like myself) would prefer their babies and children to be cared for by somebody whos older and has more life experience and maturity, especially if theyve had kids themselve.

the younger careers ive worked with all seem to speak about going out clubbing, finding men (and of course, smelling of cigatettes) around the children. if you are mature and dedicated you will not have any issues employment wise.

im quite shocked by your assessors comments and discrimination about your age. have you considered changing your assessor to somebody who is not so negative?? personally i would find the negativity a hugte confidence blow which would affect my study and confidence to finish the course/ key skills.

by: tilly

I would look favourably on a 35 year old applicant as long as they had the necessary childcare qualification

by: lyns74

Thanks Tilly

by: red sun

I'm with Tilly; don't worry lyns74 I'm sure you will be snapped up. Shame your assessor is being so negative (and a bit out of touch if you ask me!!)

by: lyns74

If i wasn't so close to finishing i would consider changing but hope to finish within 2 weeks!!.

None of these things were shared with me when i enrolled on the course but i do wonder if i was just put on course to boost class numbers.

Am going to try and get some voluntary work one day a week to boost my experience.

by: timmylums

it is great to hear so many positive comments about mature practitioners who are newly qualified I am early forties, own family BAed Early years, EYPS, currently mentoring other EYPS candidates and have been told on several occasions that I lack childcare experience and am over qualified unless I want to work for minimum wage. Where do I go from here? 

by: Mandy

timmylums im the same the only solution i found was to enrol on a PGCE course that is the only way we get recognition. All the jobs i have looked at for the qualification i have (NNEB and BA in early years and special needs) state must have a teaching qualification. 

To answer lyns74 question if you wanted to go on and do other qualifications you would need GCSE english, maths and maybe science depending upon what you wanted to do.

by: billabong

Experience together with qualifications surely have to be essential. My minimum standards are level 3 with GCSE Maths, English and a science in addition to 2 more GCSE's at grade C or above. I believe that 5 0'Levels of those grades were similar to the old requirements for exceptance on an NNEB course and remember what prestigue that qualification had. 

by: kaz (the first one!)

Well that would be me well and truly stuffed then! I left school with no GCSE's (or whatever they were then)and didn't got to college to do NVQ L2 until I was 30!

I've no idea how I've mange to successfully run a pre-school and gain L5 in the last ten years! the GCSE math still haunts and diludes me......

RE: RE: CCLD&GCSE - 25-07-09 18:33

by: joshuajones

If it makes you feel any better Kaz, I am 50, 32 years in the job, have GCE maths, English Lit, English Lang, and others but have been told they are meaningless as they are over 5 years old !!!! Well YEAH !!!! I can set a budget, operate within a budget, work out staff ratios, space requirements, do all the financial planning that goes into operating a group of nurseries, but I can't do a degree unless I do L3 key skills in maths !!! Go figure XX

Experience means diddly, just so long as you meet government targets XX

by: red sun

Joshuajones; I dont have GCSE Maths, not even an O Level in it, I only managed a CSE Grade 2; however I have a Foundation Degree and am just about to start the 2nd year of a BA(Hons), so you can do a degree without Maths, what you can't do (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) is EYPS, pretty sure you need GCSE English (I have an O Level which is 33 years old!!) and Maths. Like you say seems a bit ridiculous and very frustrating!!!

RE: RE: CCLD&GCSE - 25-07-09 19:21

by: joshuajones

sadly janny, in my area, I cannot even do a foundation degree with my old and useless GCE's (very old equivalent of O level !!!) I have to do a L3 key skills test !!!!!

by: kaz (the first one!)

If you have the Foundation degree, you have effectively got your GCSE in English and don't need to do it again (so the NDNA told me when they offered me EYP) BUT you have to do Math GCSE before you finish the EYP. 

by: red sun

That is sad Joshua and very frustrating. I'm doing my degree by distance learning and to be honest with you I dont remember ever having to tell anyone what O levels I had; maybe you could try that way; distance learning or is the funding in your area dependant on you having these GCSE's, seems incredibly unfair to me!!

RE: RE: CCLD&GCSE - 27-07-09 10:51

by: joshuajones

It would appear that this is a bit of a post code lottery situation !! Funding in our area is not given for distance learning, but we have a nursery out of the area where one of the staff is doing her foundation degree through OU and sh is funded !! I cannot access the degree course without doing L3 key skills hey ho !!!

by: 'Old' Louise

My old and useless GCE O level English was perfectly acceptable for EYP