University College Isle of Man (UCM) is launching a new one-year course for people who are already employed within a childcare setting, and can be studied as an apprenticeship or full cost course. Learners will receive an industry standard qualification to support their career.
The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) is a one year, part-time course, which can be studied as an apprenticeship or full cost course. Starting in the Autumn, students will attend UCM for one afternoon and evening a week as well as being observed and assessed within their workplace.
The aim of the qualification is to prepare learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to five years of age and gain knowledge of children aged five to seven years.
UCM already run a two-year full-time course for people wishing to enter the profession, and have added the part-time course following consultation with industry.
By offering the Level 3 Diploma on a part-time basis, UCM will be supporting the wider Government to achieve the Island Plan’s action of providing lifelong learning and development opportunities for all and the Childcare Strategy action of recruitment and retention of staff in child day care settings.
Karen Davies, Head of UCM’s Wellbeing Faculty, said: ‘We were pleased to meet with industry a few weeks ago to ensure we could provide support for the sector. We’ve taught childcare for decades and in that time we have changed the way we’ve run the provision based on the changing needs of the industry and demand.
‘Being able to offer this part-time course means that people working in the industry who need to take the next level of qualification can continue to earn while they learn. We look forward to continuing working with the childcare sector to ensure our curriculum supports their business needs.’
Upon achievement of this qualification, it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.
Students will study topics based around Health and Wellbeing, as well as Legislation, Frameworks and Professional Practice. Additionally, students will also gain an understanding of Play, Development and Learning for School Readiness.