CACHE Diploma for Children and Young Peoples Workforce Level 2 or 3?

Hi I'm not sure if this is a silly question but I have been minding now for just over 4 years and have started to look at getting a childcare qualification under my belt. I have contaced a couple of training providers and may be able to get funding (either 24+ loan or other) to do the above courses but my question is do I need to do level 2 first? Some people I know of went straight to level 3 - on the course requirements there are no formal entry requirements other than English and Match GCSE which I have (although may find hard to prove as need to obtain certificates but thats a different problem :o)

What did others do?

TIA :)

You should not have to do level 2 first, so long as you can satisfy the entry requirements for level 3. I went straight into level 3, and only had to do maths and English tests at the training centre. They did not accept that my O and A levels had any equivalency with today's versions, and the centre also refused to count some other people's qualifications cos they were so-many years old since they took the exams. I can only assume that 2+2 no longer equals 4 like it did when I went to school: this would indeed make sense and go a long way toward explaining what is wrong with the education system these days. :p Some centres expect you to have had a minimum 6 months working within the childcare industry before they'll sign you up. It's different for every training company.

Whilst some 'professionals' love collecting certificates, I wouldn't get your hopes up too much. I naively went into level 3 expecting to learn a lot, especially as I'd never done a specialist childcare qualification before. TBH, all I earned was a list of dates for bits of legislation: that and a dozen ways to avoid having to write the 'official' term "practitioners within the children's and young people's workforce" in every sentence. :eek:

It was not a learning experience for me. It was little more than a box-ticking exercise as you're no longer required to read and think, but only to meet predetermined 'criteria' within each 'unit'. By the time I was on the 2nd assignment, I had Pink Floyd's The Wall playing on a loop in my subconscious.

One of the 'Learners' (as we were obliged to call one another - note the capital "L") protested at one point that anyone who did not already know all the significant content of the course should never be allowed near a child in the first place. I couldn't disagree with her. I have to say I learn more useful stuff about childcare from 30 minutes with a 12 month old than I ever did in a year on level 3.

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Originally Posted by bunyip

You should not have to do level 2 first, so long as you can satisfy the entry requirements for level 3. I went straight into level 3, and only had to do maths and English tests at the training centre. They did not accept that my O and A levels had any equivalency with today's versions, and the centre also refused to count some other people's qualifications cos they were so-many years old since they took the exams. I can only assume that 2+2 no longer equals 4 like it did when I went to school: this would indeed make sense and go a long way toward explaining what is wrong with the education system these days. :p Some centres expect you to have had a minimum 6 months working within the childcare industry before they'll sign you up. It's different for every training company.

Whilst some 'professionals' love collecting certificates, I wouldn't get your hopes up too much. I naively went into level 3 expecting to learn a lot, especially as I'd never done a specialist childcare qualification before. TBH, all I earned was a list of dates for bits of legislation: that and a dozen ways to avoid having to write the 'official' term "practitioners within the children's and young people's workforce" in every sentence. :eek:

It was not a learning experience for me. It was little more than a box-ticking exercise as you're no longer required to read and think, but only to meet predetermined 'criteria' within each 'unit'. By the time I was on the 2nd assignment, I had Pink Floyd's The Wall playing on a loop in my subconscious.

One of the 'Learners' (as we were obliged to call one another - note the capital "L") protested at one point that anyone who did not already know all the significant content of the course should never be allowed near a child in the first place. I couldn't disagree with her. I have to say I learn more useful stuff about childcare from 30 minutes with a 12 month old than I ever did in a year on level 3.

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Similar experience, did mine online, whizzed through it, didn't learn much except how to answer assignments with the minimal effort, I challenged myself to submit as few words as possible and passed everything first time. But, glad I did it as I now have level 3 (certainly don't do level 2) but I got 100%funding so nothing to lose. Glad I didn't pay hundreds for it.

Thanks that is what I was thinking/hoping - when he comes back with my "package" later I will see what he says then push for level 3 if he is suggesting level 2. I also thought that about the qualifications too as my 18 year old daughter started college last year, showed them her A* in English and B in Mathematics certificates which she had obtained the year before and still had to sit the functioning skills tests!

Do whichever course suits your needs best. Be aware that the guy may well push you to sign up for the one that suits them, rather than what suits you. They are a business and will try to fill courses according to vacancies and whatever funding they can tap into, and this doesn't always coincide with what the CM really wants to be doing. So you need to decide what you want to do, then be firm and stick to your guns.

Personally, I think functional skills are a joke. I recently received a message/email from a set of parents wanting childcare. They were both about to enter post-graduate courses at the local university, but I had to ask them to phone me cos their written approach was in such bad English that I hadn't the first idea what they asked me. :eek:

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Originally Posted by skytvaddict

Hi I'm not sure if this is a silly question but I have been minding now for just over 4 years and have started to look at getting a childcare qualification under my belt. I have contaced a couple of training providers and may be able to get funding (either 24+ loan or other) to do the above courses but my question is do I need to do level 2 first? Some people I know of went straight to level 3 - on the course requirements there are no formal entry requirements other than English and Match GCSE which I have (although may find hard to prove as need to obtain certificates but thats a different problem :o)

What did others do?

TIA :)

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Let your training provider advise you especially when it comes to getting funding...the Level 3 is free for some young practitioners but there is funding and your provider will let you know what to do
As for the GCSE...I believe from what I hear you can do them alongside the course...it does not mean if you don't have them that you won't be able to start the course

I am waiting for clarification and will share when I hear

The current Level 3 has been replaced by EYE because it did not meet expectations and the contents were poor...it got easier so to allow more people to do it and less barriers...some could complete it in a few months while others took a year

EYE will be more challenging with more studying of child development and other areas and the practice hours very wide in the modules, students will have to find placements in various settings and with various ages to be able to study

It is worth getting the knowledge from it...my personal view it is much more than a piece of paper and opens the doors for further learning if that is what you want to do


Good luck...hope you enjoy it and look forward to hearing the many questions that will come up in this forum :thumbsup:

Don'tcha find that happens a lot?

Those who know best tell us: "We brought out a 'new improved' course because, well frankly, the last one was rubbish". Odd how nobody ever admits the current one is total pants until the next one comes out. Funny that..................:rolleyes:

This is what passes for "education" in the modern world. Once upon a time "education" meant learning how to think; now it's all about being told what to think. What a shame that education and the propagation of childcare skills should so closely parallel the promotion of 'new improved' soap powders. :mad:

Not surprisingly he came back with level 2 is fully funded and level 3 is £2500 but I am now waiting to speak to an assessor who will tell me if I can do the level 3 and then I can apply for a 24+ loan so fingers crossed. :)

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Originally Posted by skytvaddict

Not surprisingly he came back with level 2 is fully funded and level 3 is £2500 but I am now waiting to speak to an assessor who will tell me if I can do the level 3 and then I can apply for a 24+ loan so fingers crossed. :)

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Oh how funny...just got an email from a Level 3 provider...their cost £2,000!
How wonder how many more variations there will be?
Hope your chat with your assessor proves positive

I have been desperately trying to sort this out, I don't have my Maths O level (I do have the English and also an NVQ3 in Business Admin). I have only just done my cypop5 this year and passed my Ofsted pre reg inspection last week. I wanted to get booked onto the Level 3 before it changed to EYE as I don't want to do the Maths O level. My local college told me it was too late to sign up for level 3.

I have been onto Pacey website which is who I did my CYPOP5 with and there is an entry there saying as long as I get everything signed up before 15th of this month - I can still do it

Anyone any knowledge of this??

Thank you

It has been reduced to just over one thousand

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Originally Posted by danemi1

I have been desperately trying to sort this out, I don't have my Maths O level (I do have the English and also an NVQ3 in Business Admin). I have only just done my cypop5 this year and passed my Ofsted pre reg inspection last week. I wanted to get booked onto the Level 3 before it changed to EYE as I don't want to do the Maths O level. My local college told me it was too late to sign up for level 3.

I have been onto Pacey website which is who I did my CYPOP5 with and there is an entry there saying as long as I get everything signed up before 15th of this month - I can still do it

Anyone any knowledge of this??

Thank you

It has been reduced to just over one thousand

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Because the colleges tend run by terms so the next course will start in September when the new EYE course starts.

Pacey doesn't run by terms and you can start immediately so can sign up for the "old" qualification still until the 15th - they are reducing the price because the new EYE will be starting soon. The "old" qualification will still be valid and you will still have a level 3.

Your choice is to sign up with Pacey now and do the old qualification or sign up with your local college and do the new EYE but also do English and maths alongside (they do not see o'levels as equivalent to GCSE's unfortunately).

Thank you so much...does the level 3 still hold muster?

At the end of the day I am reducing my hours in work and setting up as a childminder from home 3 days a week but I understand its a good idea to get a specific childcare qualification in addition to the cypop5. I did have the CSE Grade 1 O level equivalent in Childcare but oh my word that was longer ago than I care to remember

Thanks

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Originally Posted by tulip0803

Because the colleges tend run by terms so the next course will start in September when the new EYE course starts.

Pacey doesn't run by terms and you can start immediately so can sign up for the "old" qualification still until the 15th - they are reducing the price because the new EYE will be starting soon. The "old" qualification will still be valid and you will still have a level 3.

Your choice is to sign up with Pacey now and do the old qualification or sign up with your local college and do the new EYE but also do English and maths alongside (they do not see o'levels as equivalent to GCSE's unfortunately).

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Would you be able to clarify on this as it is very confusing
The NVQ does not exist anymore but the new Diploma is called EYE
Those who have gained an NVQ up to this year will have it recognised as well as those who did it years ago...so far it is all clear

I cannot understand how Pacey can sell the old NVQ at a reduced rate?
In order for students to gain the qualifications they need the certificate at the end of the course...signed and sealed by the appropriate authority...who would sign a certificate for NVQ when it has been archived as a qualification?

Maybe you could clarify as it seems strange Pacey are having a sale and knocking money off a qualification?
Is there a link we can see?

Danemi1...Level 3 is not compulsory for CMs...thanks to the short sighted view of Truss et al who...despite Prof Nutbrown recommendation that cms be equally qualified like the rest of the workforce... ignored it

For nurseries and preschools there is no problem...most practitioners strive to achieve a qualification...Level 2 and then 3...the latter opens the door to them to become managers

My personal view is that there is no harm in getting the qualifications and extra knowledge...if that is what you wish it is more than just a piece of paper
Many are against this for various reasons

nursery managers are required to have a Level 3 to manage their setting and they will wear that hat ...so cms need it just as much considering the many hats we wear and roles we cover in our home based childcare...we are not just managers but have other responsibilities which in a group setting are shared

I hope you decide to carry on and embark on your studies :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Simona

Would you be able to clarify on this as it is very confusing
The NVQ does not exist anymore but the new Diploma is called EYE
Those who have gained an NVQ up to this year will have it recognised as well as those who did it years ago...so far it is all clear

I cannot understand how Pacey can sell the old NVQ at a reduced rate?
In order for students to gain the qualifications they need the certificate at the end of the course...signed and sealed by the appropriate authority...who would sign a certificate for NVQ when it has been archived as a qualification?

Maybe you could clarify as it seems strange Pacey are having a sale and knocking money off a qualification?
Is there a link we can see?

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I never mentioned NVQ in my post I was talking about the level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Work force or whatever it is called. This is being replaced with the EYE. NVQ courses haven't been around for a few years I completed mine in 2011 just as it changed to the diploma CYPW. But my NVQ was still certified because I had spent 20 months doing an apprenticeship alongside the NVQ as that was what the LA were funding and to say that I couldn't get the certificate because a new qualification had come in would not have been fair.

Pacey are not selling NVQs. As long as a course is started before a new course comes in the course and qualification is valid otherwise people who start one course that is relegated by the govt but haven't finished would have to start again and pay for a new course IYSWIM. Up to now the course has been the CYPW diploma and there are still people that will not have completed it they do not have to complete it by September but they have to have started it. As long as it is started before the new course starts then the qualification is valid and relevant.

As far as the link to the cost is you will have to ask Danemi as she was saying it has been reduced and the only reason that would be is because the new EYE starts in Sept. Or ring Pacey to clarify.

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Originally Posted by tulip0803

I never mentioned NVQ in my post I was talking about the level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Work force or whatever it is called. This is being replaced with the EYE. NVQ courses haven't been around for a few years I completed mine in 2011 just as it changed to the diploma CYPW. But my NVQ was still certified because I had spent 20 months doing an apprenticeship alongside the NVQ as that was what the LA were funding and to say that I couldn't get the certificate because a new qualification had come in would not have been fair.

Pacey are not selling NVQs. As long as a course is started before a new course comes in the course and qualification is valid otherwise people who start one course that is relegated by the govt but haven't finished would have to start again and pay for a new course IYSWIM. Up to now the course has been the CYPW diploma and there are still people that will not have completed it they do not have to complete it by September but they have to have started it. As long as it is started before the new course starts then the qualification is valid and relevant.

As far as the link to the cost is you will have to ask Danemi as she was saying it has been reduced and the only reason that would be is because the new EYE starts in Sept. Or ring Pacey to clarify.

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Apologies Tulip...I used the word NVQ when I should have said Diploma...habits die hard!

Have u looked on open uni to see if works out any cheaper? I would definately do level 3 if u can, rather than do 2 and 3.

I completed a CACHE Level 3 Diploma, Award and Certificate in Child Care and Education 0-16yrs and I found it very useful. Learnt so much through the course, we did 3 day college and 2 day placement per week. I really enjoyed my course but have seen the NVQ paperwork years ago and it made me think, didnt look very good...

I have been trying to find out about the cost of the new level 3 to help those who are asking and looking at funding ...or not
So far I have come across 3 different levels of fees...£2000...£2500 and even over £3000 in my area via the local college
So it looks like students have to shop around....not sure how helpful this system is and why fees vary so much?