Ofqual publishes report on new childcare qualification
Tuesday, 30 November 2010 10:39
Ofqual is recommending that learners studying for a new childcare qualification should undertake more work experience.
The regulator today publishes a report on the Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
This is a new qualification that the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) sought to be introduced to replace previous provision from the end of this year (2010), as the only qualification accepted as evidence of occupational competence.
Since the new qualification differs from the previous ones available and concerns were raised about it, Ofqual decided to carry out an investigation to determine whether it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of the sector.
The work involved:
- Comparison of unit and qualification requirements by sector specialists
- Questionnaire for centres offering the qualification
- Evaluation by awarding organisations
- Employer engagement
Ofqual found that the Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce is a valid qualification to confer occupational competence.
However, it also concludes that the qualification is better suited to mature learners with experience in the sector than to younger and less experienced learners.
Ofqual also says that the reduction in the number of qualifications supported by the CWDC following the development of the new qualification does not allow the same level of flexibility in progression routes as was previously available.
Ofqual Chief Executive Isabel Nisbet comment: "The narrowing down of students' choice to the single proposed qualification would leave young and less experienced learners without an appropriate option that would include sufficient work experience. This would also not provide a route for progression to further and higher education. We have therefore made a series of recommendations which we feel will address these concerns."
Ofqual recommends that:
- To provide appropriate opportunities for progression and work experience, awarding organisations should develop a larger two year qualification, based on the new level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
- To allow sufficient time for the development of these new qualifications, awarding organisations may need to request an extension of the CWDC support for legacy level 3 provision.
Notes to editors:
- For media enquiries, please contact the Ofqual press office on 300 303 3342 or 07798 924552 (out of hours).
- Awarding organisations which have an accredited Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce are: Edexcel, ABC Awards, EDI, CACHE, OCR, City & Guilds and NCFE.
