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What are "recognised" qualifications?
The qualifications discussed in this booklet are nationally recognised in Scotland. This means that you will gain credit for your skills and abilities that will be accepted by every employer. Holding qualifications will be an asset if you to move to a new job in a different area, or apply for more senior roles in your present centre. National qualifications have a standard course of study or assessment programme, common across Scotland.
Do I need qualifications?
As shown above, you may be able to work in some settings without a relevant qualification. However, there are advantages to obtaining qualifications, especially if you want to make a long-term career out of working with children. Bear in mind also that local authorities, which at present vet all private and voluntary daycare centres for young children, usually require at least half of all staff working in such settings to hold relevant qualifications. Generally this means holding either an SVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education or an HNC in Childcare and Education. To work in a local authority nursery school or class you generally have to be either a teacher or a qualified nursery nurse. (A few local authorities will employ unqualified staff in their own centres providing they work towards a recognised qualification: if you are keen to pursue an SVQ within your local authority, ask them if they are willing to support you.)
What sorts of qualifications are there?
Qualifications differ in their content (for example, some concentrate on playwork, others on early education and care) and level of complexity.
There are also different ways of acquiring qualifications:
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) assess your working skills under workplace conditions. Although you will mostly be in the workplace when working towards an SVQ, you may have to go to an FE college or training provider to be taught some of the theory underpinning the SVQ. You do not sit a formal exam but are assessed regularly in your workplace. Normally there will be somebody in your workplace who will help you to work towards your SVQ. Or someone from outside your place of work will visit you regularly to support you as you work towards your SVQ. There are no time limits on obtaining an SVQ - you can work at your own pace. However, it will normally take between 18 months and two years to obtain an SVQ level 3.
Colleges of further education (or FE colleges) offer a variety of qualifications, for example National Certificate units and Higher National Certificates (HNC). Courses at FE colleges normally take place during the academic year. Most full-time courses are for a fixed length of time, although most colleges can be flexible about when you attend. You may also be able to study part-time or in evening classes. The courses include substantial time on a work placement in a childcare and education setting. Assessment is done at various points in the course rather than through a single end-year exam, and includes assessment of practice in the work placement. Distance and flexible learning are available at many colleges for some units.
A mixture of both: As noted above, if you decide to follow an SVQ then you may attend a college to study theories underpinning your programme. And, if you decide to attend a college of further education to obtain your qualification you will be offered a work placement to allow you to gain experience relevant to the qualification.
The choice of where you take your qualifications will depend on your particular circumstances and preferences. You should contact your careers service to discuss which type of qualification would be best for you. You should also speak to your employer who may be willing to adjust your patterns of work to fit in with study commitments.
If I'm in a job, can I study part-time?
Work-based qualifications (SVQs) will allow you to work and acquire a recognised qualification. If you are already in a job and think that you would like to work towards an SVQ, you should speak to your employer.
As noted above, some FE colleges may offer courses on a part-time or distance learning basis. Most qualifications in early education, childcare and playwork will involve some type of workplace assessment, and, if you are currently not in a job working with children, you will have to think about how your workplace assessment can be arranged. If you are interested in studying part-time for an HNC you should get in touch with your local college or careers service. You should also speak to your employer who may be willing to adjust your patterns of work to fit in with study commitments.
Are there any other requirements?
Working with children is a demanding job. It requires patience and reliability, the capacity to form warm and positive relationships, a commitment to equal opportunities, and a respect for the views of others. You will have to work with other adults closely, sometimes from different occupations (for example, speech therapists) and will have close contact with parents.
For most jobs working with children you will be asked to declare any criminal convictions you may have. It is best to be open with prospective employers about any past offences. Many employers can now ask the Scottish Criminal Record Office to check a person's criminal background.
What qualifications are available?
As we saw above, there are a number of different qualifications available at different levels and delivered either in the work place, in a college of further education or by other training providers. The table lists the main recognised qualifications with a brief description. The qualifications are divided into two broad types: introductory level qualifications suitable for those coming into the profession; and more advanced qualifications, suitable for those with more experience. Some qualifications in the table are under development - they will be available in the near future.
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