NVQ3 Early Years Childcare and Education
When choosing childcare courses it can be hard to know what to expect, the personal experiences of other childminders can help you choose a course that is right for you.
I choose to take the NVQ3 EYCE because I wanted a recognised childcare qualification. In the past I have taken other courses including Access Psychology, Developmental Psychology, various child protection courses and workshops etc.
I studyed at College one evening per week, which has worked out ok for me as I could fit it into my busy schedule. I also had to have an assessor to come and assess me at home working with the children.
For the course materials we were supplied with a copy of the standards and the occasional handout, everything else we had to do ourselves.
I had to find information to cover nearly all of the standards myself. I was only asked to do one assignment apart from writing the odd policy. I managed to cover a lot off the standards whilst being observed.
I found the course extremely difficult as we had a poor tutor and were given very little information with regards as what to put in our portfolio. I only got an assessor 3 months before I was due to hand in my portfolio and had to cram an entire NVQ3 into 3 months, but I managed to complete and hand it in on time.
I enjoyed it most of the time, other times I was just wondering what I was doing!
It was very, very hard work and the tutor was terrible, but ohhh the satisfaction when I had finished. I gained from the course a greater insight into the world of children and families and a recognised childcare qualification.
College was no problem even with my other commitments, but cramming it into 3 months took its toll on both my family and myself.
The problems I encountered didn't put me off studying and I am currently doing HNC Early childhood Studies.
If your considering taking the course you should know its a lot of hard work, but like me if you love studying - go for it!!
Rosanne, Register Childminder
www.geocities.com/childminder_uk
