Details of the National Occupational Standards in Children's Care, Learning and Development were published on the National Day Nurseries Association website last week.
The NDNA was asked to review the occupational standards in 2003 in the absence of a Sector Skills Council. The standards, to be used as a basis for NVQs and SVQs, have been approved by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland after extensive consultation and have been designed to reflect changing job roles within the children's workforce.
Stella Ziolkowski, head of workforce development at the NDNA, said, 'The standards are based on a set of principles and values that reflect the rights of the child and support an integrated workforce. They fit with Government thinking in support of further development of an integrated workforce and multi-agency working.'
She added that the new standards would allow more flexibility for all those employed in the children's workforce. For example, an early years practitioner who wants to work within playwork would be able to take additional playwork units so they can specialise in that area.
The standards encompass all those working with children from nought to 16.
This means that early years education and childcare practitioners will cover the underpinning knowledge for the whole age range but they will only have to demonstrate their skills with the specific age group they work with.
Richard Dorrance, chief executive of the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education, said, 'The next stage is for the awarding bodies to finalise the structure of the S/NVQs and transitional arrangements for candidates wanting to transfer from the old standards to the new and to submit these to the regulator for approval.' He reiterated that the current standards will still be recognised by employers and regulators, but people holding current qualifications may wish to look at some of the new units as part of their continuing professional development.
All the awarding bodies had agreed to submit the syllabuses for the new qualifications to the QCA on 30 June and it is expected that candidates will be able to register for new S/NVQs from 1 November.
Sue Parr, Edexcel's development manager, said that Edexcel would have draft versions of guidance available to centres in the summer to help them prepare for the new qualifications. Edexcel will also be running a series of information events in in June and July. For details see http://hsc.edexcel.org.uk/home/events or call 0870 240 9800.
An Introduction to the National Occupational Standards is at www.ndna.org.uk.
