Information for Learning Providers
New QCF and Extensions to older qualifications
New required and recommended qualifications for the social care sector were launched in Jan 2011. They are part of the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and are designed to be more relevant to the needs of employers and more flexible and accessible for learners.
Care Council for Wales have supported approval for funding for the following qualifications for delivery within schools and colleges until December 2012.
Only Diploma qualifications are funded to drive up standards within the sector and meet the expectations of Welsh Government for the education and training of early years staff.
This extension is made specifically to enable awarding organisations to develop qualifications that meet an agreed set of design principles for qualifications. It is anticipated that these qualifications will be available from Sept 2012, and fully operational August by 2013.
We have agreed to an extension of the following qualifications:
CACHE Level 2 Diploma in Child Care and Education- 500/1888/7 31-Dec-12
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education 500/1901/6 31-Dec-12
EDEXCEL Level 2 BTEC First National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development 100/6244/0 31-Dec-12
EDEXCEL Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development 500/1812/7 31-Dec-12
These will continue to be available as funded qualifications until December 2012. By then, we expect to have alternative provision for full-time education learners and that the review of the national minimum standards for child minders will have been completed, along with agreement on a suitable qualification for practice.
Should the list of extended NQF qualifications be expanded as a result of requests from other awarding organisations, information will be posted on our website. If you have any queries related to the changes, please contact the Qualifications team on 029 2022 6257 or email qualifications@ccwales.org.uk