Online Childcare Learning Courses: are you getting the right qualification?

We all now know that online learning is the new norm. The pandemic has taught us one thing: online education is more convenient. It has also become more accessible for many of us, allowing us to take part in courses and training from the comfort of your own home. Instead of attending college or joining an apprenticeship programme, many childcare learners enjoy the convenience online courses can provide to grow in their careers.

As a Childcare Recruitment Consultant, I see more and more childcare professionals opting for online qualifications, especially in the Early Years sector. But, unfortunately, they may not be selecting the most appropriate course!

Suppose you google ‘Early Years Diploma’. You’ll be presented with thousands of different options, with a variety of prices and syllabi. Many of these courses cover the same content you can find at college. However, unless you know the ins and outs of what is currently relevant in a childcare setting, you may get stung by choosing the wrong qualification.

We wouldn’t want our childcarers to invest money in an online course, believing this will lead them to achieve a level 2 or 3 qualifications only to discover it’s not relevant. There is also a common misunderstanding between what qualifications are now and what they used to be. Things change very often in the childcare sector, and so do qualifications, relevancy and courses. For instance, a Level 3 Certificate in Early years childcare is not equivalent to a level 3 Qualification. However, it can be the first step to get you on the way to doing your Diploma in Early Years Education (which is as complete and relevant as a level 3).

Things to look out for on a complete and relevant course:

• A one-to-one tutor who is guiding you through your qualification.
• Placement hours in a childcare setting.
• NCFE CACHE registered qualification or Ofqual Approved
• UCAS Points for each section of the qualification completed.

Before signing up for an online course and investing any money, make sure you always touch base with your local Tinies consultant. We want to make sure you get the most out of your career, and we’ll be more than happy to assist in making sure you are committing to the right qualification.

The following resources can support your decision:

• The Register of Regulated Qualifications: Home page (ofqual.gov.uk)
• Check Early Years Qualifications – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• The NCFE have also published an Early Years Progression Map which may be of interest.

*Please note the guidance provided is only relevant for England. We have a dedicated branch in Scotland delivering Modern Apprenticeship programmes who is happy to respond any queries related to Scottish qualifications. Please feel free to get in touch at glasgow@tinies.com.