TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

To view the August 2008 Training Programme Click here

What experience and qualifications do I need?

If you have a caring nature, are patient and enthusiastic, have good communications skills, take responsibility seriously and have a sense of fun, you're already well on the way to starting your career in childcare or playwork.

Most employers look for qualified staff, although some will accept individuals without qualification (by law at least 50% must be qualified).  Recognised training and qualifications equip you with the skills you need to do your job well and the knowledge to understand and appreciate a child's development.

What sort of qualifications are there?
Early years, childcare and playwork qualifications are available at different levels, as a rough guide:

• Level 1 for people with little or no experience of working with children
• Level 2 for those who are working under supervision i.e. nursery assistant
• Level 3 for people who plan and organise their own work and supervise others i.e. nursery nurse
• Level 4 for experienced practitioners who carry out complex and non-routine tasks i.e. manager
• Level 5 (Foundation Degree) for those working as senior managers or development officers
• Level 6 and above for those working at a strategic level

There are a variety of courses to suit your needs including full or part-time study or work-related competence-based qualifications i.e. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's).

Funding may be available to support accredited training for those currently working, or planning to work, in the early years and childcare sector within the City of Sunderland.  Please contact us for terms and conditions.

What additional training is there?

Once you are working with children there are mandatory courses which your employer will ask you to do, such as Safeguarding Children.  You may also be required to complete Emergency First Aid, Food Hygiene and Basic Health and Safety.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The EYFS is the first part of the national Curriculum, focusing on the distinct needs of children aged three to the end of the academic year in which a child has their fifth birthday. From September 2008 it will be mandatory for all schools and early years providers in Ofsted registered settings and will be the legal responsibility of providers to ensure that their provision meets the learning and development requirements.  For further information visit www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/eyfs/

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

The Government also aims to have Early Years Professionals with Early Years Professional Status in all children's centres offering early years provision by 2010, and in every full day-care setting by 2015.  EYPS is a new status designed for lead practitioner working within the 0 - 5 age range and is equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and will be key to raising the quality of provision.  Candidates need to demonstrate they have met a set of national standards at level 6 regarding suitability, qualifications and experience.  For further information visit www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/projects/earlyyears.htm or Sunderland University www.sunderland.ac.uk

There are many other courses available to help you provide high quality childcare whilst supporting your own development.  The Extended Services Professional Development Team produce a training programme for those working in Sunderland, if you would like a copy of the current edition please contact us.

Where do I start?
'Making Choices' is a FREE short session to help you make the right decision.  At the end of the course you will know:

• The age group of children you’d like to work with
• What training and qualifications you’ll need
• Which job will suit you best
• Whether you still want to work with children

To find out how to book a place on 'Making Choices' or for an information pack on careers in childcare contact the Families Information Service Sunderland (FISS) on 0191 520 5505 or jobsinchildcare@sunderland.gov.uk

Cancellation Policy

Although the courses within the Training Programme are free to the children's workforce in Sunderland, they are arranged at a considerable cost.  Therefore, it is important that we get value for money to train as many of our workforce as possible.  It is for this reason, we must ensure that all the training courses are fully booked and run to their maximum capacity.  We have reserve lists for every course, if practitioners fail to inform us of a cancellation, we are not able to allocate e this place to another practitioner on the reserve list.

If you are unable to attend any of the courses of which you have been sent a booking confirmation letter, please let the Professional Development Team know as soon as possible, at least 5 working days in advance.  This will enable us to allocate your place to a practitioner on the reserve list. System are in place to charge for places booked on training courses that are not taken up or cancelled in advance.

If you need to cancel a place on a course or change the name of a delegate please telephone the Professional Development Team on 0191 553 5659.  Cancellations received by telephone must be followed up by the submission of a completed cancellation form, which can be found in the back of the training programme.