Literacy news

The new Level 3 qualification: is it what’s needed?

6 Aug 2010

In an article in Nursery World Pauline Jones, Assistant Director at the Children’s Workforce Development Council, and Chris Lawrence, Principal of the Chiltern College, discuss their opinions of the new Level 3 qualification, which became available on 1 August 2010.

Pauline Jones writes in support of the new Level 3 qualification and is confident, along with her colleagues at the CWDC, that it encompasses what workers “must know, understand and be able to do to be ‘occupationally competent’.”  Her confidence arises from several factors including that the diploma is based upon National Occupational Standards which were widely consulted on in 2008 and which were the basis for the predecessors of this qualification. She continues by highlighting that this new Level 3 qualification was consulted on by a group of 30 experts, representing a wide range of professionals from training providers to leading early learning and childcare providers.

Pauline believes that this new diploma has many advantages, including that it is part of the new Qualification and Credit framework, which means students can build credits, some of which are transferable to other qualifications. Another big advantage in Pauline’s eyes is the fact that the emphasis is on learning outcomes rather than "teaching input", meaning that the diploma specifies what students “must know, understand and be able to do, not how long they will need to study or practise their skills to demonstrate the required outcome.”

According to Pauline, “the QCF offers the opportunity to undertake units at higher levels that will demonstrate ‘academic and study skills’ and support those already in the workforce who want to progress to Early Years Professional Status. Specialist knowledge is retained through the Level 3 diploma’s separate pathways, with units and learner outcomes designed for each of the early years, children’s social care and learning and development support services.”

Chris Lawrence, principal of Chiltern College, an independent childcare training college, is concerned about what the new Level 3 qualification will mean for those working in the early years sector.  Chris believes that the new qualification is watered down and finds that the fact this new qualification will replace all existing sector-related qualifications worrying.

Chris’s concern arises from her belief that the new qualification “does not equate to, and does not compare with, the current qualification on offer.” The fact that the course can be completed in as little as one year is a worry for her. Chris goes on to cite the fact that a 16-year old could leave school with no qualifications, move into studying the new Level 3 qualification, complete that study in a year or less and be in charge of very young children or in a supervisory capacity in a setting. Due to the fact that this new qualification now takes the place of all other existing qualifications there are actually no other routes of training available.

The debate surrounding the new Level 3 qualification will continue as it is implemented in the coming months and there will be more information available about its effectiveness and quality.

Tags: Early Years, Early years sector, Talk To Your Baby

Return to literacy news