Important changes to BTEC Early Years qualifications | Pearson qualifications

Important changes to BTEC Early Years qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Fri Apr 11 13:49:00 UTC 2014

We’re making important changes to the registration dates of our BTEC Early Years qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Below we explain which Pearson qualifications will be available in each country to support professional development and progression in the sector, and introduce our Early Years teaching services teams.

Which BTEC Early Years qualifications are affected?

The changes will affect the following BTEC qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF):

Pearson BTEC Level 2 First in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

  • Certificate (QN: 100/6243/9)
  • Diploma (QN: 100/6244/0)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

  • Award (QN: 500/1814/0)
  • Certificate (QN: 500/1813/9)
  • Diploma (QN: 500/1812/7)

This summary shows the last registrations and review dates for these qualifications by country:

Pearson BTEC Level 2 First in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (NQF)
 

Size

England

Wales

Northern Ireland

Certificate

QN: 100/6243/9

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date: 31 August 2015

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date: 31 August 2015

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date: 31 August 2015

       

Diploma

QN: 100/6244/0
Qualifies learners to work in a supervised role

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date: 31 August 2015

Last registration date: 30 June 2014

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date: 31 August 2015

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (NQF)

 

Size

England

Wales

Northern Ireland

Award

QN: 500/1814/0

Last registration date: 31 August 2014 Last registration date: 30 June 2014

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date: 31 August 2015

       

Certificate

QN: 500/1813/9

Qualifies learners to work in the Early Years sector

Last registration date: 31 August 2014 Last registration date:
30 June 2014

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date:
31 August 2015

     

Diploma

QAN: 500/1812/7
Qualifies learners to work in the Early Years sector

Last registration date: 31 August 2014 Last registration date:
30 June 2014

Open for 2014-15 registrations

Next review date:
31 August 2015

What does this mean for BTEC centres and learners? 

In England

  • Level 2 learners have 2 options:
    • Continue studying the existing BTEC Level 2 First Certificate or Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (NQF). Post-16 learners are recommended to undertake the BTEC Level 2 First Diploma (NQF) which qualifies them to work in a supervised role. The review date is 31 August 2015.
    • Take the Pearson BTEC Level 1/2 First Award or Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning and Development which counts in the Key Stage 4 2015 performance measure in England and is designed for pre-16+ learners.
  • Level 3 learners can switch to the next generation BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children’s Play, Learning and Development, available for first teaching from September 2014.

Read more on our BTEC Nationals in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (NQF) page.

In Wales

Following an extensive review, the Care Council for Wales (CCW) – the Sector Skills Council and childcare regulator – has decided that, in Wales, BTEC First and National in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (NQF) qualifications will no longer:

  • confer occupational competence to work in the Early Years sector for those learners who register after 30 June 2014
  • be eligible for public funding for new registrations after this date.

As a result, the last registration date for most of these qualifications in Wales will be 30 June 2014.

Options at Level 2

Pre-16 learners

Learners can choose either:

  • Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF) (QN: 600/6814/0)
  • Pearson BTEC Level 2 First Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (NQF) (QN: 100/6243/9)

Learners aged 16+

Learners who need a qualification which confers occupational competence in the Early Years sector in Wales can choose to register on:

  • Pearson Edexcel Level 2 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning & Development (QCF) (QN: 501/1814/6)

Please note that we will not be developing a BTEC successor to the BTEC Level 2 First Diploma in CCLD qualification in Wales. 

Options at Level 3

From 1 July 2014, learners who need a qualification which confers occupational competence in the Early Years sector in Wales can register on:

  • Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning & Development (QCF) (QN: 501/2249/6)

If they need a qualification which supports progression to Higher Education, learners in Wales can choose from:

  • BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Health & Social Care (QCF)
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Award in Children’s Play, Learning & Development (subject to approval by the Care Council for Wales and Ofqual)

We've decided that it isn't in the best interests of level 3 learners in Wales to develop a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (QCF) to meet the criteria laid down by the CCW.

This is because under the current rules:

  • Learners would be qualified to work in Wales and Northern Ireland, but would require an additional qualification if they wanted to practise in England under the Early Years Educator (EYE) framework
  • The Extended Diploma is a pass-only, work-based qualification which does not lend itself to the inclusion of an element of external assessment to support the development of the skills needed for progression to Higher Education.
  • While the Extended Diploma covers the 0-19 age range, we are aware of the sector requirement for learners to specialise in the Early Years (0-7) which is in line with both the Nutbrown Review (2012) and the Foundation Phase requirements in Wales.

In Northern Ireland

  • Level 2 and level 3 learners can continue studying the existing BTEC First and National (NQF) qualifications. The next review date will be 31 August 2015.
  • We're in discussion with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) about successor qualifications at level 3 and will keep you up-to-date with developments.
  • We've recently developed new BTEC Firsts and Nationals in Children’s Play, Learning and Development in consultation with the Early Years sector, which we hope will gain recognition in Northern Ireland, subject to approval from NISCC.

Support from the Early Years team

Our Early Years team is here to answer your questions and support you, so please get in touch to discuss your curriculum needs.

You can also visit our BTEC support page to make an appointment with your Curriculum Development or Territory Manager.

Kate Elsmore, Childcare subject advisor
Kate ElsmoreChildren & Young People
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