Happy Home Childcare - Your Nanny Agency for London

Qualifications

Happy Home Childcare only register

Unqualified nannies with at least 3 years of full time experience of childcare. The experience must be proved by checkable references.

Qualified nannies with at least 1 year of working as a mothers help. Must be proved by checkable references.

All Happy Home Childcare nannies are required to have valid First Aid Certificate!

There are many qualifications attainable in the field of childcare. As awarding bodies keep up to date with today’s requirements, some courses are withdrawn and others are added. Here is a list of the most common qualifications available now, or recently withdrawn.

  • CACHE Advanced Diploma in Childcare Education (ADCE)
  • CACHE Diploma in Nursery Nursing (formerly NNEB)
  • CACHE Diploma in Childcare Education (DCE)
  • CACHE Certificate in Childcare Education (CCE)
  • BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Early Years
  • BTEC HNCs in Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families
  • NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education
  • NAMCW Advanced Certificate in Childcare and Education
  • Private colleges (Norland, Chiltern, Princess Christian)

CACHE Advanced Diploma in Childcare Education (ADCE)

This is a very advanced qualification, generally attained by people wanting to progress in a career in childcare.

People who have an ADCE diploma are qualified to do almost any job in childcare. This is an advanced course open only to experienced Childcarers.

CACHE Diploma in Nursery Nursing (DNN)

The Diploma in Nursery Nursing (DNN) was replaced by the NNEB, which is one of the most well know qualifications. The NNEB was subsequently replaced by the Diploma in Child Care and Educations (see below), but quite often you will hear NNEB and DCE being used synonymously.

CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education (DCE)

The CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education (previously known as NNEB) has been accredited by QCA as a level 3 qualification

This qualification gives the holder a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills, allowing them to work unsupervised, or to supervise other staff.

This is probably the most widely recognised qualification covering the physical, social, educational, intellectual and emotional needs of different ages. Other areas of study include health and hygiene, play and first aid.

CACHE Certificate in Child Care and Education (CCE)

A one year course which is undertaken along similar lines to the DCE but is not as detailed. A position as a mother's help is likely to be offered to candidates with the CCE.

This course covers elements of caring for children and the elderly. It is a one year course and would not qualify students to take sole charge of children.

BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Early Years

The BTEC courses are slightly more academic compared to their CACHE counterparts, but in effect, they are similar to the CCE (certificate) and DCE (diploma).

BTEC HNCs in Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families

These are slightly more advanced courses with the possibility of specialising. The core topics that everyone studies are

  • Continuing Development
  • Communicating, Values and Leadership in an Early Years Environment
  • Theories of Development – Birth to Three
  • Early Years Curriculum, Play and Learning
  • Child Protection
  • Professional Practice

NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education

The NVQ system is structured for people already working in the field of study. The course follows a number of modules, and these are similar to the topics covered by the DCE. Students will either work their way up through the NVQ levels from 1 up, or they can start at level 3 if they have previous qualifications such as a CCE.

NAMCW Advanced Certificate in Childcare and Education

The one year course provides basic knowledge of childcare and would not be suitable for a sole charge position. It is aimed at 16-18 year olds and covers children from 0-Teenagers

The two year course involves both practical experience and attendance at college, and is very similar to the DCE, but covers all ages up to teenagers. Topics include special needs and the student qualifies for a supervisory role within nurseries. It is aimed at more mature students such as Childminders who wish to study for a Professional Qualification.

This course has been withdrawn.

Private colleges (Norland, Chiltern, Princess Christian)

These are private, residential colleges which have their own nurseries for training on site. The course spans two years, and thereafter follows a probation period of between 6 and 9 months during which time a nanny is placed within a family. All subjects are covered thoroughly and students receive the DCE qualification and the Royal Society of Health Diploma.

Nannies from the private colleges are generally quite good. However a private college training is not a guarantee of success and it is just as important to carry out the background checks and references.

If you would like more information on any of these or other qualifications, please talk to us. The following list of awarding bodies may also be useful:

The Early Years Training Organisation (Early Years NTO) 01727 738 300

EDEXCEL (for BTEC qualifications) 0870 240 9800

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (for NVQs) 020 7509 5556

Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education (CACHE) 01727 847 636

National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare (NAMCW) 020 7383 4117