Redevelopment plans for BTEC Level 5 Higher Nationals in Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families (APWCF)
Read the latest on our redevelopment of these qualifications to meet the new Early Years Educator (EYE) requirements, and our plans to extend the current specifications in the interim.
Last year, we informed you that after 1 September 2014 the BTEC Level 5 Higher National Certificate and Diploma in Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families (APWCF) (specification issue 3) no longer conferred practitioner status on learners wanting to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in England. This is because they no longer map to the recently introduced Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria.
As a result of this change, we've consulted with colleges offering the current qualifications, with stakeholders in higher education, and with childcare employers to help determine the best plan for redevelopment. A number of you will have been part of this consultation, and those who haven’t yet been consulted will soon have the opportunity to share your views with us.
Plans for extension of the current qualifications
To ensure that there is no gap in provision, the existing BTEC Level 5 Higher Nationals in Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families (APWCF) has been extended for centres who wish to continue with the current qualification until 31 August 2016 (although you should remember that these qualifications won’t confer practitioner status).
Plans for a redeveloped Higher National Certificate
Following the consultation, we're planning to develop a revised BTEC Level 5 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families (APWCF), for first teaching during 2015/2016. This new Higher National Certificate will be at level 4, will address the Early Years Educator (EYE) standard requirements, and can be used with students who want to work towards licence to practise.
For centres who are mid-way through delivering the existing course and wish to move to the new Higher National Certificate, we'll provide mapping documents to support you.
Plans for a redeveloped Higher National Diploma
We'll also be redeveloping the Higher National Diploma to ensure that the progression route to further study at higher education institutions remains intact. This qualification will be available for first teaching in September 2016.
If you have any questions about this, or would like to be involved in the consultation for redevelopment, please email us at highernationals@pearson.com.