CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage Practice

"When the Early Years Foundation Stage was launched, we really wanted to do some formal training that would really make a difference in our setting,” says Sally Pearse from Tinsley Children's Centre in Sheffield. They chose the CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage Practice which Sally says "has helped build confidence and brought us together as a team."

"The certificate is helping us to ensure what we are delivering fits within the framework as its more in depth than the informal training we have been on."

There are five people at Tinsley working on the Certificate, one of which is an Early Years Professional, and several others are senior staff members. This proves that although the Certificate is set at Level 3, the units are applicable to anyone working within an early years setting, regardless of their experience.

"It's helping us to ensure what we are delivering fits within the framework as its more in depth than the informal training we have been on," says Sally. However, Sally says that, although the qualification examines the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage closely, "it isn't putting people through hoops they don't need to jump through. It's enhancing what we already know and do regularly, we don't have to start from scratch, which is good."

Sally says her Centre was also attracted to the Certificate because of the informal assessment methodology, which has a very strong practical focus. "If it had involved lots of written work, I think that would have been a deterrent," she says. "I really like the fact that there is a strong focus on reflective practice instead of pages and pages of assignments. I think it's just as important to develop this skill as it helps you to look 'with new eyes' at what you are doing. We've all enjoyed that element so far." Mary Armstrong, who is assessing the group agrees that reflective practice and practical observations appeal to the learners. "To start with, everyone was a bit nervous about the walk and talk part of the observation as they had never heard of it before. But they soon realised it gives them a good opportunity to sit down and have a professional discussion with someone - it's not often you get the time to do that when you are busy at work!"

Mary says that working on the Certificate has benefited the learners in other ways, apart from building their confidence and enhancing and consolidating their knowledge. "The networking side of it is really good for everyone. The learners are sharing ideas and asking 'how do you do it in your nursery?' There's a really nice supportive environment and I know many managers of settings have been particularly encouraging of their staff which is great."

CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage Practice
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