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Find your way around
Welcome to NEC
Page 5
Childcare qualifications and careers
Page 3
Why get a qualification?
Page 4
Fees and help with costs
Page 4
What our students say
Page 4
Childcare courses in:
Pages 6–9
Childminding
Pre-school Practice
Children’s Care, Learning and Development
Playwork
Family Learning
Professional Development
Business Skills for a Successful Childcare Business
Careers
Qualifications
Level
Diploma in
Home-based
Childcare
Pre-school Assistant
Nursery Assistant
Supervised Playworker
Childminder
Diploma
in
Playwork
NVQ
Children’s Care,
Learning and Development
Diploma
in
Pre-School
Practice
Continuing
Professional
Development
4
equivalent
to a
Certificate of
Higher Education
3
equivalent
to
A level
2
equivalent
to a
GCSE grade
A* to C
Childcare qualifications and careers
NVQ
Children’s Care,
Learning and
Development
Certificate in
Children’s Care,
Learning and
Development
NVQ in
Playwork
Continuing Professional
Development
Pre-School
or
Play Group Leader
See www.qca.org.uk
for more
information about
qualifications
indicates courses not offered by NEC.
indicates courses offered by NEC via distance learning.
NEC also offers a range of management courses leading to
!
Certificate
in
Pre-School
Practice
Certificate
in
Playwork
NVQ
Children’s Care,
Learning and
Development
Certificate
in
Children’s Care,
Learning and
Development
A qualification in childcare can open
many doors for you. You can start a
new career as a
childminder, looking
after children in your own home, or
gain the skills to allow you to work in
a
pre-school
or
nursery. If you already
work with children, it can help you
progress in your career.
There are opportunities to move from
one area of childcare to another, or to
developing specialist knowledge in a
particular area. The diagram opposite
shows how the childcare qualifications
fit together and some possible
career
choices.
NEC offers
level 2 and level 3
qualifications; a level three
qualification, such as the Diploma in
Pre-school Practice, will give you the
skills to work in an independent or
supervisory role in childcare. All NEC
courses are taught via
distance
learning, which means you can study
in the comfort of your home when you
have the time – the perfect way to
manage your studies according to your
lifestyle.
Because of the difference in
legislation and standards, students
wishing to study NEC’s childcare
courses in Scotland, Wales or Northern
Ireland should contact our Customer
Relations team on 0800 389 2839
before enrolling.
NVQ or VRQ?
All the childcare qualifications available
from NEC are Vocationally Related
Qualifications (VRQs), although the
qualifications grid shows a number of
progression routes
linked to NVQs
(National Vocational Qualifications). The
levels of VRQs and NVQs are equivalent
– someone with a level 2 VRQ will have
a comparable level of knowledge to
someone with a level 2 NVQ. The
difference between the two types of
qualification is the
method of
assessment: VRQs are assessed on the
knowledge gained through a course of
study, while an NVQ gives accreditation
for the level of competence an
individual shows in the workplace.
Some courses can help you to build up
the knowledge and skills you will need
to demonstrate for a related NVQ.
Age restrictions
Although you can study many of our
courses from the age of 16, this does
not necessarily mean that you can
work with children at this age. In most
cases, you will be able to work with
children as an assistant from 16, but
you need to be 18 or over to work in
an independent or supervisory role. For
more information, you should contact
Ofsted or your local authority.
Fees and help with costs
The fees for each NEC course are listed
in the pack you received. You can also
find them on our website
www.nec-childcare.co.uk
Some of the course fees do not
include the
CACHE registration fee
so you will need to budget for these
separately. See the individual course
descriptions for details of when the
registration fee is or isn’t included.
You may be able to get help with the
cost of your course, and other useful
information, from your local authority
or Early Years Development Childcare
Partnership (EYDCP). Visit
www.childcarelink.gov.uk or ring 0800
096 02 96 to find your local office.
Why get a qualification?
What our
students say…
Thousands of students have gained childcare qualifications with NEC. For some, distance learning is the only way to gain a qualification; others simply prefer the flexibility of the courses.
I did lots of training with my old job but that was always during my working hours. I’ve found doing the course by distance learning has made it so much easier to fit in because you don't have to put aside such large blocks of time. You can do your study little and often.
Stephanie McKenzie
Introduction to Childcare Practice
(Home-based)
I chose to study by distance learning because I am a mum of two young children and don’t have the available hours to spend at a college where you have lessons during the day… Distance learning fitted into my life and work… the online forums are great to use and make friends in. I also had a tutor on-hand to call if I needed help.
Ellissa O’Shea
Diploma in Pre-school Practice I would encourage anybody who wants to work with children in a playwork setting to take this course. It gives you credibility and a
professional way forward. NEC have been very helpful throughout and I would recommend them to anybody who is considering studying the Certificate in Playwork by distance learning.
Chris Andrew
Certificate in Playwork I found that on college courses the other students were considerably younger than me and didn’t always want to take the studying seriously. As I am a single parent I am much preferring the correspondence course because I am happy to work without supervision, and can also fit in my study with the needs of my son.
Michaela Lowe
Diploma in Pre-school Practice I enjoyed the course very much. It has been a good few years since I have studied and it was good to get my brain back into gear and realise my potential. The activities were very useful because they have reinforced what I read during the module units, and of course, it’s good to put what one learns into practice.
Bev Baines
Studying with NEC via
distance learning
●
NEC home study courses result in
exactly the same qualifications as
college courses – it’s just the way of
learning that’s different.
●
The courses are designed to let you
work in your own time and at your
own pace. You’re not tied to
attending classes or working to
anyone else’s schedule.
●
We suggest the number of hours of
study time needed to complete the
course to help you plan your
studies.
●
We will support you all the way;
you receive two years’ tuition with
all of our courses.
When you enrol, you will:
●
receive a student handbook, a
course guide to help you plan your
time as well as specially designed
course materials
●
be assigned a subject specialist
tutor, who will mark your
assignments and give you feedback
on your progress
●
be assigned an NEC course
co-ordinator who can answer
queries regarding, for
example, exams and
externally assessed
assignments
●
be allowed access to
NEC’s Online Study Centre
(OSCr), a growing online
community enabling
As a member of the
Online Study Centre,
you will receive:
●
automatic updates to course
materials
●
news items and reminders about
your course and exams
●
downloads containing useful course
and exam information, study tips
and help topics
●
FAQs to help you with queries
about your course, exams and
administration.
Do you want to gain a childcare qualification?
Are you put off by the thought of having to go to college?
Perhaps you have your own family to keep you busy or the local college is just too difficult to get to?
If so, a distance learning course with NEC could be the perfect solution for you.
Childminding
(home-based setting)
All childminders working with children
under 8 years old are required by law
to be registered and to undertake basic
training. NEC’s new courses for the
Diploma in Home-based Childcare
have been developed in partnership
with NCMA and lead to a nationally
recognised Level 3 qualification with
CACHE that allows you to work
unsupervised in a range of
home-based settings.
The units covered are:
●
Unit 1: Introduction to Childcare
Practice (home-based)
●
Unit 2: Childcare and child
development (0–16) in the
home-based setting
●
Unit 3: The childcare practitioner in
the home-based setting
●
Unit 4: Working in partnership with
parents in the home-based setting
●
Unit 5: Planning to meet the
children’s individual learning needs
in the home-based setting.
You need to complete Unit 1 first, but
Units 2–5 can be completed in any
order (we strongly recommend Unit 3,
4, 2 then 5). A certificate can be
requested after each unit, and if you
successfully complete all five units you
will gain the full Diploma in
Home-based Childcare.
Although the Diploma in Home-based
Childcare course is principally designed
for childminders, it will also be useful
for others working with children in a
domestic setting, such as nannies.
However, you have the option to only
study Unit 1, Introduction to Childcare
Practice (home-based).
Courses
To find out more about childcare courses, or to enrol, visit www.nec
Introduction to Childcare Practice
(home-based)
Course code: DS31
Who is it for?
Childminders working in their own homes, nannies working in their employer’s homes.
Does it lead to a qualification?
Introduction to Childcare Practice award. The first Unit of the CACHE Diploma in Home-based Childcare.
What do I need?
You should have an interest in and ideally some experience of childcare.
How will I be assessed?
There are four assignments set by NEC, plus a multiple choice test assessed by CACHE. When you are ready to sit the multiple choice test NEC will help you find a test centre and this may take a few months to arrange. There is likely to be a centre administration charge. You should also be prepared to travel to a test centre.
How long will the course take?
You will need to spend between 15–20 hours of study time to complete the course, plus extra time for completion of assignments.
Registration fee
The CACHE registration fee is included in the NEC course fee.
Diploma in Home-based Childcare
Course codes:
Level 3
Unit 2
DB31
Unit 3
DR31
Unit 4
DT31
Unit 5
DU31
Who is it for?
Childminders working in their own homes, nannies working in their employer’s homes.
Does it lead to a qualification?
Individual certificates for each of the units completed. If you complete all five units you will qualify for the CACHE Diploma in Home-based Childcare, a Level 3 qualification.
What do I need?
You must be over 16 and working with other people’s children in a home-based setting.
How will I be assessed?
There are two NEC-set assignments and one assignment assessed by CACHE for each of the five units.
How long will the course take?
You will need to spend approximately 30 hours study time per Unit on Units 2-5 and 20 hours on Unit 1, if you have not already completed this, plus additional time to complete assignments.
Registration fee
The CACHE registration fee is included in the course fee.
Pre-school practice
NEC’s pre-school practice courses were
developed with the Pre-school
Learning Alliance. The courses help
learners to develop the skills and
knowledge needed to work with
children in a pre-school. They cover
children’s development and planning
activities as well as the practical side of
working in or running a pre-school
setting.
The
Certificate in Pre-school Practice
covers three core units and one option
unit of your choosing. You can take
the complete course, or you can get
certification for each individual unit.
The
Diploma in Pre-school Practice
covers three core units and one option
unit of your choosing. You can take
the complete course, or you can get
certification for each individual unit.
If you enrol on either the
Certificate or Diploma in
Pre-school Practice, you must
register with CACHE as soon
as you receive your course
materials.
Certificate in Pre-school Practice
Course code DB25 Level 2
Who is it for?
Anyone working as an assistant in a pre-school, playgroup or nursery.
Does it lead to a qualification?
CACHE Certificate in Pre-school Practice, a Level 2 qualification.
What do I need?
You must be 16 years old or over. You will need to spend at least six hours per week working (or as a volunteer) in a pre-school setting and have contact with children and families in the setting for the duration of the course, in order to complete the assessments. You will need to give details of the setting when you enrol.
How will I be assessed?
There are five tutor-marked assignments and four CACHE assignments. Three of these are marked by your tutor and one is marked externally by CACHE.
How long will the course take?
Most learners take around 180 hours to complete the course, plus additional time for completing assignments and for work experience.
Registration fees
The PLA and CACHE registration fees are not included in the course fee.
Units covered
● Core unit 1: Supporting play and learning in the pre-school setting ● Core unit 2: Understanding and
supporting development
● Core unit 3: Providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment in a
community pre-school setting
● Option unit 1: Supporting children with disabilities and/or special educational needs and their families
● Option unit 2: Participating in effective teams
Diploma in Pre-school Practice
Course code CS01 Level 3
Who is it for?
Anyone working in a pre-school or similar setting, who wants to move into a supervisory role.
Does it lead to a qualification?
CACHE Diploma in Pre-school Practice, a Level 3 qualification.
What do I need?
You must be 16 years old or over. You will need to spend at least eight hours per week working with children in an appropriate setting for the duration of the course, to complete the assessments.
How will I be assessed?
There are five tutor-marked assignments and four CACHE assignments. Three of these are marked by your tutor and one is marked externally by CACHE.
How long will the course take?
Most learners take around 240 hours to complete the course, plus additional time for completing assignments and for work experience.
Registration fees
The PLA and CACHE registration fees are not included in the course fee.
Units covered
● Core unit 1: Understanding and promoting the development of pre-school children
● Core unit 2: Providing learning communities for pre-school children and their families
● Core unit 3: Making the pre-school setting a supportive and safe environment
● Option unit 1: Supporting parents with literacy, numeracy and language needs ● Option unit 2: Working with children
with disabiliites and special educational needs and their families
● Option unit 3: Working in a parent-managed setting
I am taking over as
co-leader with
another member of
staff of the pre-school where I
did my placement! Without the
DPP qualification I would not
have been considered for the job.
Penny Beeson
Diploma in Pre-school
practice
Courses
continued
To find out more about childcare courses, or to enrol, visit www.nec
Certificate in Children’s
Care, Learning and
Development
Course code DS28 Level 2
Who is it for?
People working, or wanting to work, in settings or services whose main purpose is children’s care, learning and development.
Does it lead to a
qualification?
CACHE Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and
Development, a Level 2 qualification.
What do I need?
You must be aged 16 or over.
How will I be assessed?
There are eight tutor-marked assignments, three CACHE-assessed assignments and a multiple choice test. When you are ready to sit the multiple choice test NEC will help you find a test centre. This may take a few months to arrange. There is likely to be a centre
administration charge. You should be prepared to travel to a test centre.
How long will the course take?
You will need approximately 210 hours of study time to complete the course, plus additional time for completing assignments.
Registration fees
The CACHE registration fee is included in the course fee.
Certificate in Children’s
Care, Learning and
Development
Course code DA28 Level 3
Who is it for?
People working, or wanting to work, in settings or services whose main purpose is children’s care, learning and development.
Does it lead to a
qualification?
CACHE Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and
Development, a Level 3 qualification.
What do I need?
You must be aged 16 or over.
How will I be assessed?
There are ten tutor-marked assignments, four CACHE-assessed assignments and a multiple choice test. When you are ready to sit the multiple choice test NEC will help you find a test centre. This may take a few months to arrange. There is likely to be a centre
administration charge. You should be prepared to travel to a test centre.
How long will the course take?
You will need approximately 300 hours of study time to complete the course, plus additional time for completing assignments.
Registration fees
The CACHE registration fee is included in the course fee.
Certificate in Playwork
Course code DB17 Level 2
Who is it for?
Individuals working under supervision with school age children in a playwork setting, such as an after school club or holiday playscheme.
Does it lead to a
qualification?
CACHE Certificate in Playwork
What do I need?
You must be at least 16 years old and be working in a playwork setting. Please give details of your out-of-school setting when you enrol.
How will I be assessed?
There are six assignments plus one tutor-marked moderated and one CACHE-assessed assignment.
How long will the course take?
You will need approximately 60 hours of study time to complete the course, plus additional time for completing assignments.
Registration fees
The CACHE registration fee is included in the course fee.
Diploma in Playwork
Course code DB34 Level 3
Who is it for?
Individuals working in play settings. The Award (Unit 1) will allow you to work as a supervisor in summer play schemes whilst you undertake the full qualification. The Certificate (Units 1–5) will allow you to work as an assistant leader or new supervisor in all play settings. The Diploma (Units 1–6) will be recognised by the inspecting authority as an appropriate qualification.
Does it lead to a qualification?
Unit 1 – CACHE level 3 Award in Playwork. Units 1– 5 CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Playwork and units 1– 6 CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork.
What do I need?
You must be at least 16 years old and have a level 2 related qualification, GCSE Grade C level of education and 50 hours of recent playwork experience.
How will I be assessed?
There are 10 tutor-marked assignments plus 5 CACHE-assessed assignments and one multiple choice test. When you are ready to sit the multiple choice test NEC will help you find a test centre. This may take a few months to arrange. There is likely to be a centre administration charge. You should be prepared to travel to a test centre.
How long will the course take?
You will need approximately 360 hours of study time to complete the course, plus additional time for completing assignments.
Registration fees
The CACHE registration fee is included in the course fee.
Children’s Care, Learning and Development
The Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
Level 2 develops the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to work with children and young people in a variety of settings
within a supervised role. It is suitable for Modern Apprentices and
also provides underpinning knowledge for the S/NVQ.
The Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
Level 3 qualification is acceptable for unsupervised work.
Playwork
The Certificate in Playwork is suitable for a range of people
working with children aged between five and fifteen.
The Diploma in Playwork was developed with 4Children and it
consists of the CACHE Level 3 Award in Playwork (Unit 1), the
CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Playwork (Units 1–5) and CACHE
Level 3 Diploma in Playwork (Units 1–6). The Diploma in
Playwork will be available from Summer 2007.
Family Learning
This course was developed with the
PLA and is based on the Diploma in
Pre-School Practice DPP Option Unit 1
Supporting parents with literacy,
numeracy and language needs.
Professional development
These courses help experienced early
years workers increase their skills and
get accreditation for previous work
experience.
Business Skills for a
successful childcare business
This course covers the knowledge and
skills required to run a successful
playgroup, nursery or childminding
service.
Family Learning
Course code DA32 Level 3
Who is it for?
It is for Level 3 employees in childcare settings who have a role or planning to have a role in family learning.
Does it lead to a qualification?
You can get certification for the DPP Option Unit 1 Supporting parents with literacy, numeracy and language needs.
What do I need?
You must be 16 years old or over.
How will I be assessed?
There are three tutor-marked assignments plus the CACHE-assessed assessment if you want to get certification for this unit.
How long will the course take?
You will need approximately 30 hours of study time to complete this course, plus additional time for completing assignments.
Registration fees
The PLA and CACHE registration fees are not included in the course fee.
Continuing Professional
Development
Course codes below
Level 3
Core Unit: Individual Professional
Development CA26
Option Unit: Protecting Children CC26
Option Unit: Moving into out-of-School
Provision CB26
Option Unit: Working with children and
young people with special Needs CD26
To gain the full award you need to successfully complete the assignment for Core unit 1 and two option units. You can choose two of the option units from the three listed above.Who is it for?
Childcare workers who want to develop and extend their specialist knowledge.
Does it lead to a qualification?
Each unit leads to a CACHE unit certificate. If you complete the core plus two option units you will gain the CACHE Certificate of Professional Development in Working with Children and Young People, a Level 3 qualification.
What do I need?
You will need at least two years relevant work experience, and preferably a level three early years qualification. You will need to be working in an early years setting to complete the course.
How will I be assessed?
Each unit has four assignments – three are marked by NEC, and one is marked by CACHE.
How long will the course take?
Most learners will complete a unit in around 60 hours, plus additional time for completing assignments.
Registration fees
The CACHE registration fee is included in the course fee.
Business Skills for Care and
Early Years
Course code HS26
Who is it for?
Managers and owners of playgroups, nurseries, childminding services and out of school clubs as well as managers of care homes.
Does it lead to a qualification?
You will gain an NEC course completion certificate.
What do I need?
You should be in a position of responsibility in an early years or childcare situation.
How will I be assessed?
There are three assignments.
How long will it take?
Most people take around 60 hours to complete the course, with additional time to complete the assignments.
Registration fees
There are no registration fees for this course.
New course coming Summer ’07:
Nutrition Awareness
Visit www.nec-courses.co.uk
to find out more
The National Extension College was set up as a charity to help people of all ages fit learning into their lives, and has proved that a second chance at education can be a first class experience. We provide home study courses for individual learners, training programmes for public and private sector businesses, and open learning resources for organisations delivering training.
Registered as: National Extension College Trust Ltd. A non-profit making company, limited by Guarantee.
Registered in England No 292829. Registered office: The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8HN. VAT No. VAT GB 215713779 Charity No. 311454 Established 1963
Membership of trade and professional associations: please visit http://www.nec.ac.uk (under Quality Assurance) Information correct at time of printing, March 2007
