Childcare Training Newsletter
Wiltshire Childcare Workforce Development Team
April 2015
01225 712966  [email protected]  www.childcarejobswilts.co.uk
Welcome
The Workforce Development Team has now transitioned across to Wiltshire Council Early Years &
Childcare Department. Over the next couple of weeks full details of the new service including
information on grants, funding and training will be sent to all childcare settings and childminders.
Nicola and Tracey can be contacted through the helpline number 01225 712966 or emailed on
[email protected]. The vacancy website will continue but the address has changed
slightly to www.childcarejobswilts.co.uk.
Remember to follow us on Twitter @childcarewilts for the latest vacancies and sector news.
It is important that all the staff see this newsletter so
please share or print this publication for your staff room.
Funding for training courses
The Childcare Workforce Development Team will have two bursaries available for the Level 3
Early Years Educator and Level 2 CYPW Certificate. Full details on the application process can be
found on page 2.
We will also be signposting you to a number of different funding grants and loans that can be
accessed by both individuals and organisations to help pay for training course fees.
Date for diary
Early Years & Childcare Conference 2015
2 and 3 October, Devizes Corn Exchange
01225 712966  [email protected]  www.childcarejobswilts.co.uk
Funding L2 and L3 early years and playwork qualifications
This financial year funding will be available for
registered childminders as well as voluntary
and paid childcare workers in pre-schools,
nurseries and out of school settings to
undertake level 2 and 3 childcare courses.
There is a limited amount of funding in the form
of Wiltshire Council Childcare Training Bursaries. However to make up
the difference we suggest that you access training funding from a number
of sources including 24+ Learning Loans see page 3.
L2 Certificate/Playwork….…………………………………………….£500
L3 Early Years Educator & Playwork Level 3……………………....£700
Safeguarding ~ training available at Wiltshire Pathways
If you wish to apply for funding please ensure you follow the
simple three step procedure below:
1. Decide which qualification you would like to do and the approved
training provider you wish to use, see page 7.
2. Your line manager, or yourself if you are a childminder, should apply
on your behalf at least three weeks before your course start date.
3. Email confirmation and a bursary agreement will be sent to the
setting or childminder and a copy to the candidate.
4. Payments will be made to the setting or the childminder in two
instalments.
Workforce Development Team
01225 712966
[email protected]
Training loans
Professional and Career Development Loans - These loans are offered at a
reduced interest rate, which the Government pays while you're studying, and are
there to help those who want to top up their training.
To be eligible, you need to be over 18 and must have been living in anywhere in the UK for at least
three years before the start of your course. Your course must last two years, or up to three years with
a year of work experience.
You can apply for between £300 and £10,000 to help cover the cost of any tuition costs associated
with developing your career. Call the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900 for further
information.
24+ Learning Loans - These loans help with the costs of a college or training course if you’re 24 or
older.
The course must have started on or after 1 August 2013 and be an eligible Level 3 or 4 course.
Loans do have to be paid back however repayments don’t start until April 2016 and you won’t have to
pay anything back until your earning more than £21,000 a year.
Student Finance - These loans help with the costs of tuition fees at college or university for higher
education course such as the early years foundation degree.
Growth Accelerator - Growth Accelerator can offer support in one of three areas: Access to Finance,
Business Development or Growth through Innovation. In addition you’ll also have exclusive access of
up to £2,000 match funding for every senior manager for Leadership and Management training.
Training grants
Discretionary Learner Support - If you are aged 19 or over, the discretionary learner support might
be one source of help. You apply directly to your college, university and how much you get depends
on your circumstances.
City & Guilds Awarding Body - City & Guilds offer a small number of bursaries each year to people
who would like to study for a City & Guilds qualification. The bursaries can be used for costs including
course fees, learning materials, childcare or travel. Applications are considered in May and October
each year.
The Wiltshire Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum (CFVSF) - The Forum has now
launched a Training Grant Fund to provide one off payments of up to £500 for voluntary sector
member organisations to gain training.
Bursary Fund - If you need help with your learning or
living costs and have also applied for a 24+ Learning Loan
you may be eligible for a bursary. In most cases you don’t
have to pay back money from the Bursary Fund.
Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification
The new workbased qualification has various titles depending on the awarding body but they will
all have (Early Years Educator), like this in brackets after the title. It has been designed in
response to the Department for Education and the National College for Teaching and Leadership
wishing to improve the quality of qualifications in the sector and to create one gold standard
qualification.
All Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications will require candidates to demonstrate an in-depth
understanding of early years education and care, including that they can:
1. Support and promote children’s early education and development
2. Plan and provide effective care, teaching and learning that enables children to progress and
prepares them for school
3. Make accurate and productive use of
assessment
4. Develop effective and informed practice
5. Safeguard and promote the health, safety and
welfare of children
6. Work in partnership with the key person,
colleagues, parents and/or carers or other
professionals
Who is it suitable for ?
It is suitable for a range of early years workers including pre-school workers, practitioners in
nurseries, childminders and children’s centre staff.
What are the entry requirements?
Maths and English GCSE (grade C or above) are additionally required prior to starting the
qualification in order to be accepted in EYFS ratio and for some funding streams, including the
Childcare Grant. For free courses visit Wiltshire College.
Lost your certificate? Details on how to obtain a replacement certificate.
Will it attract UCAS points?
This has not been agreed yet but it is very likely.
How is it delivered and assessed?
Each awarding body will vary slightly but will all follow the minimum requirements for this award.
You will need to show competence in a real workplace situation, complete written work and
professional records and may do a longitudinal study.
Current full and relevant level 3 qualifications will still be valid and GCSE’s do not need to be.
updated.
Communication for all - training
This course is designed for childminders and will enable you to understand why vocabulary and
language development is crucial to a child's ability to learn and enable your setting to provide a
broad and rich language experience.
By end of the session you will be able to:

Understand the importance of adults modelling key behaviours

Understand the elements of a good communicative environment

Become familiar with elements of Phase 1 materials within ‘Letters and Sounds’

Enable settings to audit current provision and
identify the next steps for development
Venue: Corn Exchange, Devizes
Date: Monday 22 June
Time: 7 - 9 pm
Cost: £20 per person
To book a place call Childcare Workforce Development Team in 01225 712966
HRMC online childminder seminars
HMRC is offering free online seminars (webinars) in
May for people who are either thinking of becoming
a childminder or who are already childminding.
The webinar is a basic guide to key tax and National
Insurance issues affecting self-employed
childminders. It explains how to register with
HMRC, what expenses are allowable and how to
keep records.
In addition you will be able to get answers to your own questions.
The webinar lasts for about an hour and as long as you have internet access you can take part
from wherever suits you. You can use a laptop, iPad, iPhone or Android phone/tablet. Use the
links below to register:
Wednesday 6 May 2015 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Childminders and HMRC
Thursday
Childminders and HMRC
21 May 2015 7.30pm – 8.30pm
After you have registered you will receive an email telling you how to join the webinar.
Here are some comments from other childminders who have joined recent webinars:
“This was a very helpful Webinar. Thank you. I look forward to receiving the email.”
“Great job! I wasn't sure how this would go, but I found it so helpful. From knowing so little to
having some understanding. It's been very much appreciated. I'll look out for future webinars :)”
Interested in becoming registered as a childminder?
With an expansion of the Free Entitlement there is an
ever growing need for new childminders in Wiltshire. If
you would like to have a rewarding career, be your own
boss and run your business from your own home, then
childminding could be an ideal career for you.
As a registered childminder you will:
Offer the children you care for a secure and
stimulating environment


Work in your home, choosing the hours you work and the services you provide

Care for your own children at the same time if you have a family

Have a career where no two days are the same
Do I have to register as a childminder?
Yes, you have to be Ofsted registered if you are looking after children under the age of eight in
your own home for two or more hours a day for reward. This is a legal requirement and can lead
to prosecution if ignored. By registering you will also be able take the Free Entitlement for 2, 3
and 4 year olds* and parents and carers you work for will be able to claim the childcare element
of the working families tax credit.
*subject to Ofsted judgement and attendance at a Free Entitlement briefing session
How many children can I look after once I am registered?

You may look after up to six children under 8, including your own

No more than three of the six children should be under 5

Normally no more than one child can be under 1
Is there a need for childminders in my area?
Wiltshire Council has information about supply and demand for childcare in their ‘Childcare
Sufficiency Report’ and each local area has its own community plan. To check whether there is a
need for childminders in your area visit: Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.
What about training?
All childminders must undertake an introductory course and hold a paediatric first aid
certificate as part of their registration. The HMRC have also produced an elearning package for
childminders. It explains and guides you through everything you need to know to get started.
There are some useful tips from others who have been where you are now, just starting and
needing some help. You can work through the course at your own pace and at a time that suits
you best. It takes some people between one and two hours to complete, but you don't need to do
it all in one go. You can dip in and out as often as you like.
Is there any funding to start my Childminding Business?
You may also be eligible for a grant of £500 to help with your start up costs, further details can be
found here Childcare Business Grant Scheme.
Childminding is a dynamic and evolving career, and there are plenty of courses and training
opportunities that will help you develop your knowledge and confidence. For further information
Wiltshire Council Registering as a Childminder.
Early Years Teacher Status (EYT)
By becoming an early years teacher, you’ll make a
lasting, positive impact on children’s wellbeing and
development, opening young children’s minds to new
concepts and ideas on a daily basis.
Research demonstrates that the quality of early
education and childcare provision is higher when
practice is led by specially trained early years graduate
teachers. This makes it vital that high-calibre
candidates train as early years teachers.
Early Years Teachers Status (EYT) has undergone some important changes since it’s inception
and the new programme starting in September 2014 will look very different. There have been
changes to the standards that candidates have to meet, changes to pathways, changes to
funding and funding criteria and changes to the entry requirements. All of the changes will align
the status with Early Years Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and mean that EYTS will be seen as
equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as entry requirements will now be the same.
Early Years Teachers Status will be seen as specialists in early childhood development, trained
to work with babies and young children from birth to 5. They will meet the same entry
requirements and pass the same skills tests as trainee primary school teachers.
Training Pathways
Further information on the current training pathways to EYTS can
be downloaded here: Early Years Initial Teacher Training
Programme . There are 4 Early Years Teacher training routes
available and the right training route for you will depend on your
experience and qualifications. To start on one of the Early Years
Teacher training pathways applicants must hold:
 Full Degree
 Maths, English and Science at GCSE grade C or equivalent
Click here to see the 4 different training pathways: Training
Routes to EYT Status
Training Providers
A list of the training providers can be viewed here: EYITT Providers
Funding
National College for Teaching and Leadership are offering £14,000 to train and support a
graduate employed in your setting to become an Early
Years Teacher.
Funding covers training course fees of up to £7,000, the
remaining £7,000 is a contribution for the employer and
can be used for supply cover for the trainee and other
support costs such as salary enhancement.
Graduates can apply for this funding through the
accredited training providers who deliver Early Years
Teacher training across England.
Assessment centres early years qualifications
Assessment Centre
Telephone
Cert (L2)
& EYE (L3)
L4
Units
Playwork
A1
01249 466855
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Switch Training
01666 823626
Yes
x
x
x
Wessex Training
01305 770007
Yes
Yes
x
Yes
R&P Training Solutions Ltd
07808 713300
Yes
Yes
x
Yes
Andover College
01264 360000
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
First City Training
01722 320000
Yes
Yes
x
Yes
01793 498327
Yes
Yes
x
Yes
New College
01793 611470
Yes
Yes
x
Yes
Learning in Wiltshire
01225 713183
Yes
Yes
x
Yes
Training For You
01264 316110
Yes
x
Yes
x
Trio Childcare Connections
01793 608833
Yes
Yes
x
Yes
Learning in Wiltshire
01225 713183
Yes
x
x
x
(click on name for link)
Wiltshire College
All Sites
Proprietor: Ruth Still
Swindon College
Early Years & Education
Non funded courses
Company
Telephone
First
Aid*
Food
Hygiene
Manual
Handling
Behaviour
Management
A4 Training
07985 302359
Yes
x
x
x
AID Training
01985 843100
Yes
Yes
x
x
EFA Training
01373 823424
Yes
Yes
Yes
x
Fast Forward Training
01793 732892
Yes
Yes
x
x
Firethorn Training
07973 863702
x
x
Yes
x
Lightning Training
01935 473575
Yes
x
x
x
My Skills For Life
(MSFL)
07966 595292
Yes
Yes
Yes
x
Phoenix Rising
0844 504 2092
Yes
Yes
x
x
Switch Training
01666 823626
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tallowood Training
01749 345877
Yes
Yes
x
x
Ontime Medical
01225 580062
Yes
X
X
X
Solutions
*Paediatric first aid is no longer approved by the local authority so please check the course content
covers the Ofsted requirements in the EYFS and the course is at least 12 hours long.
Growing your own workforce
During some periods of greater demand
for high quality childcare practitioners you
may find it harder to recruit the best staff
for your setting. Here are some tips to
help you:
Getting your job advert right ~ make sure that job adverts make your
setting stand out from the crowd by telling prospective employees all the
great things about your setting as well as proving a brief, well worded job
description. Let them know what benefits there may be such as training
opportunities or reduced childcare fees and if you have a friendly team or
great outdoor space. Your may be able to be flexible about working hours or
consider a job share. Advertise your vacancy in different ways making the
most of local community venues, websites and forums which are often free.
Succession Planning ~ It is a good idea to plan ahead so that if staff move
away there are people that you have identified to fill their roles. This type of
planning increases the availability of capable employees that may be able to
step into key roles. Through your appraisal process you should be able to
identify key staff could be developed to fill senior roles as vacancies become
available. Managers and owners will need to develop the knowledge, skills
and abilities of these people to prepare them for more challenging roles.
Choose staff qualifications and mentors carefully and ensure that you are
supporting people as part of a succession plan.
Growing your won volunteers and bank staff ~ Many of the best childcare
practitioners started as volunteers and have go on to complete qualifications
and join the workforce. Many can access
training grants to help them gain recognised
qualifications. Volunteers need time to settle in
so that both parties are happy with the
arrangement, before starting a qualification and
mailing a financial commitment. A good mentor
is always important to all staff doing
qualifications and volunteers are no
expectation.
Vacancies
Welcome to a April’s edition of the vacancies. For further details relating to
each job visit www.childcarejobswilts.co.uk.
*Learning Curve Day Nursery, Wootton Bassett. Nursery Nurse. 40 hrs. L3
*Wallys Day Nursery, Trowbridge. Keyworker. Hrs Neg. L3
*Snapdragons Nursery, Melksham. Head of Babies/Deputy Manager. 40 hrs. L3
*Busy Bees Nursery, Bath Rd Chippenham. Assistant Room Manager. F/T hrs. L3
*Busy Bees Nursery, Bath Rd Chippenham. Nursery Nurse. F/T or P/T hrs. L3
*ABC Childcare, Melksham. Nursery Nurse. F/T hrs. L3
*Smiley Face Nursery, Amesbury. Various positions. F/T hrs. Plus various positions. L2/L3
*Leigh Cottage Childcare, Bradford on Avon. Assistant Baby Rm. 40 hrs. L3
*Gooseberry Bush Day Nursery, Kemble. Nursery Nurse. 36 hrs. L3
*Snapdragons Nursery, Corsham. Head of Pre-School. 40 hrs. L3
*Snapdragons Nursery, Corsham. Early Years Teacher. 40 hrs. Degree/EYP/YET
*Snapdragons Nursery, Melksham. Nursery Nurse. 40 hrs. L3
*Snapdragons Nursery, Atworth. Nursery Nurse. F/T hrs. L3
*Leigh Cottage Childcare, Bradford on Avon. Assistant 2-3 Room. 40 hrs. L3
*Poppies Daycare Nursery, Tidworth. Nursery Practitioner. F/T hrs. L2
*Busy Bees Nursery, Lowden Ave Chippenham. Nursery Assistant. 34 hrs approx. L3
*ABC Nursery, Corsham. Nursery Practitioner. 7-16 hrs. L3
*Busy Bees Nursery, Lowden Ave Chippenham. Apprentice. 34+ hrs. Unqualified
*First Friends Day Nursery, Nr Salisbury. Apprentice. 20+ hrs. Unqualified
*Bright Stars Childcare & Education, Westbury. Nursery Nurse. F/T hrs. L3
*Catkins Nursery, Bradford on Avon. Deputy Manager. 9am-1pm T/T. L3
*Wallys Day Nursery, Trowbridge. Nursery Nurse. F/T hrs. L3
*Snapdragons Nursery, Broadwood Corsham. Practitioner. 40 hrs. L3
*Smiley Face Nursery, Salisbury. Team Leader. F/T hrs. L3
*Smiley Face Nursery, Salisbury. Keyperson. F/T hrs. L3
Vacancies Continued
*Treasured Tots, Devizes. Apprentice. 30 hrs. Unqualified
*Treasured Tots, Devizes. Childcare Assistant. 30 hrs. L2/3
*Little Foxes Nursery School, Brinkworth. Nursery Nurse. F/T hrs. L3
*Daisychain Day Nursery, Melksham. Nursery Nurse. F/T or P/T hrs. L3
*Bright Stars Childcare & Education. Westbury. Nursery Nurse. 25-30 hrs. L3
*Bourne Valley Nursery, Odstock. Keyworker(s). F/T hrs. L2/3
*Heathcote House Nursery, Devizes. Apprentice. 40 hrs. Unqualified
*Heathcote House Nursery, Devizes. One to One. Hrs TBC. L3
*Heathcote House Nursery, Devizes. Lunch time cover baby unit. 11:30am-1:30pm. Unqualified
*Brown Bears Nursery, Salisbury. Room Leader. 40hrs. L3
*Sixpenny Nursery, Devizes. Nursery Nurse. F/T hrs. L3
*Little Shoots Nursery, Trowbridge. Manager. 37 hrs. L3
Pre-Schools
*Crudwell Pre-School. Early Years Practitioner. Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30am-3:15pm. L2
*Broad Town Pre-School. Assistant. 10-15 hrs. L2
*Willows Pre-School. North Bradley. Practitioner. 8 hrs per week. L3
*Chalke Valley Playschool Assistant .20 hrs per week. L2
*Holt Pre-school Leader 7.45-3.15 T/T . L3
*Holt Pre-School Assistant 8.45-3.25 2 days L3
*Emsey Playcare, Nr. Trowbridge. Playworker. Nr. Trowbridge. 22.5 hrs. L2/L3
Out of School
*Snapdragons Nursery, Corsham. Playworker. 22.5 hrs. L3
*Dragonflies ASC, Chippenham. Playworker. 2:45 - 5:30pm. L3
*Brambles Pre-School, Figheldean. Assistant. 15 hrs. Unqualified
Miscellaneous
*Outreach Coordinator, Chippenham. 37.5 hrs. Foundation Degree
Telephone: 0300 456 0100  Textphone: 01225 712500  Web: www.wiltshire.gov.uk
01225 712966  [email protected]  www.childcarejobswilts.co.uk