CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Home-Based Childcare

Thanks to the support of Shropshire County Council, nine Learners from Ellesmere based SRL Training became the first to complete all five units of the CACHE Diploma in Home-based Childcare (DHC) in February 2007

Sheila is pictured in the Centre with the nine Learners, celebrating their success at the official presentation evening.

Centre Manager Sheila Riddall-Leech offered the learners a fast track option which enabled them to complete the qualification in just two academic terms, with extra evening tutorial support if needed. Sheila says this really helped the learners to stay focused, "the fast track option meant they found it much easier to stay motivated whilst juggling study with their jobs."

The support and funding offered by Shropshire County Council has been "invaluable in urging local registered childminders to complete a Level 3 qualification," says Sheila." In addition to the nine learners who were the first to complete the full qualification, SRL training subsequently celebrated the success of a further 25 learners in Easter 2007 which Sheila says "is proof of the increased demand for the full DHC."

Telford and Wrekin council have also supported 10 Learners to enrol on the full DHC at the SRL Satellite centre, and they were delighted to complete in July 2007.

Sheila says "Achieving the full DHC has not only been a boost for the learners, but it has opened other doors too. The local authority have developed the 'quality framework for childcare settings' award, which one of the DHC candidates has recently completed. She has now gone on to set up a childminding business and employs another member of staff which I think other childminders in the area will find quite inspiring."

Completing the DHC has clearly given two of the other Learners a thirst for learning too. Janet Austin and Naomi Davies are both childminders who were caring for older children after school when they decided to embark upon the CACHE Level 3 Award in Playwork. Sheila says "They have both said that having a better understanding of playwork values and assumptions has altered and enhanced the provision that they offer to these children." Both Janet and Naomi are very enthusiastic, and would like to become involved in the establishment of the Children Centres in their area. Sheila says completing the playwork qualification will be really helpful "as it fills gaps and gives a different slant to their provision, especially in light of after school and holiday care."

CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Home-Based Childcare
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