Qualifications update
NCMA Press office 19/11/09
Owing to national changes in qualifications across all sectors,
the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is currently
developing a qualification to replace all existing level 3
qualifications in Early Years and Childcare. This includes the
Diploma in Home-Based Childcare (DHC) and the associated NVQ. This
replacement is scheduled to come into effect from September 2010
with the new level 3 Children & Young People's Diploma.
Although the qualifications are changing, the CWDC has assured
NCMA that the DHC will remain a full and relevant level 3
qualification, confirming that holders will not need to complete
additional qualifications on the new credit framework.
If you have DHC unit 1 (also known as the Introduction to
Childminding Practice), find out about completing the full
qualification (units 2-5) before the changes come into effect.
Contact your local NCMA office for more information.
If you want to study at your own pace or are unable to travel to
a training centre or college, The National Extension College (NEC)
offers all five units of the DHC via distance learning. You can
even use Tesco Clubcard points to help fund it! Contact NEC on 0800
389 2839 for more details.
NCMA is working with CWDC to ensure the new diploma is
supportive of the learning needs of childminders and nannies, and
we will keep you updated.