NVQ or DHC

[banana]

Hi all.

Need some advice. Angel has already explained the benficial difference to doing the NVQ instead of the DHC.

What I now need to know is this....

Just how much extra work is involved in the NVQ? I will be doing the course through the National Extension college at home. I am working full time now with 5 kids on roll - I do have 1 afternoon where I finish at 1.30... so I have a bit of time there. Weekends I can use a saturday and most evenings I can spare an hour or 2. I think I would rather do the NVQ as from what Angel has said it could benefit me in the future if I want to go into another area of childcare etc... I cant see myself being childminder forever but I do like the area of career I am in so maybe the DHC would be a bit of a waste for me?

What do you think?

I have spoken to the council and they have sent all the forms out to me and asked me to give them the details of which course I want asap so that I can get the funding. Im just a bit undecided. How time consuming is the NVQ..... im led to believe its much more involved than the DHC and Im worried about taking on a huge workload that I wouldnt be able to meet and then fail

Help please.

Lana xxx

Replies greatly appreciated

[raggydolls]

i also had to make this decision b4 i started - i chose the NVQ simply because if i did decide to quit childminding it meant i could work in another childcare setting quite easily.

ive just started my NVQ level 3 and have just been given my first assignment and i can tell u i feel as tho ive jumped in at the deep end but i know its going to be worth it, rather than do the nvq 2, which feels abit like a waste of time, as i wouldnt be able to change a childs nappy in another setting - u have to be level 3 to do that

its probably going to be alot of work but if u have the right support u can do it, its alot of info to get your head around at first but once u get into the swing of it u will be fine.

i was told the dhc was more for childminders but the nvq was widespread and was for everyone (dont know if anyone else heard that)

good luck whatever u decide, if u do chose the nvq level 3 i will help u as much as i can

[manjay]

Can't help with the time element of it Lana, but as the DHC is considered the "underpinning" for NVQ3 it should be less work. For the same reasons as you I want to do the NVQ3 in case I decide on a career change at some stage.

Amanda xx

[rubybubbles]

I'm doing the NVQ as yes it is reconised all over so if I can't work with a move I have other choices too.

Although I love childminding I know it may not always be right for me if hubby gets moved every 2yrs!! (when I go lol)

[sarahnev707]

I did NVQ3.. it was a few years ago now... I dedicated one full morning to doing the writing part and one full afternoon to helping in a local school to gather the evidence

The school were great - I told them what activities I needed to evidence and they set them up for me... in return for the odd pencil sharpening session!


Sarahx

[banana]

Thanks for the replies.

I still dont know what to do.

Im just worried about the NVQ being too much work and falling behind but I am more in favour of doing it.

Decisions, decisions!

xxxx

[miffy]

Hi Lana

I finished my NVQ 3 this summer - and I would say a lot depends on how good your assessor is as to how much written work you have to do.

A lot of the work should be observed - the more the assessor can actually see you do when she visits the less written work or questioning you will have to do.

You have to complete 9 units, 5 of which are mandatory and 4 of your choice - a lot of the choice units will x-ref to the mandatory units - again less work for you.

It can be a pain when you know you have to get things done but if you want to work with children outside of childminding then NVQ is what you want.

I'd say go for it because I think it will be compulsory soon and then there may not be enough funding to go round.
If I can manage it anyone can!!!!

Miffy

[banana]

Thank you for all of your advice.

I think I have pretty much decided on the NVQ and so Im going to call the CIS tomorrow and just get a few more questions answered.

Thanks again, as usual you have all helped enormously.

xxxxxxxxx

[june]

I agree with Miffy that soon we will all need to be trained so take funding while available

[banana]

Right.

I am posting the application today.

I have decided to definitly do the NVQ. I am keeping everything crossed that I now get accepted for funding. One change I have made though is that I'm not going to do it through distance learning but am going to go to college. I like the idea of having people cose by to call on for help, could get a little study group together or something and think I am more likely to succeed when I have time scales to work. I think the distance learning is suited to a certain type of person... someone who can focus without getting distracted easily.. not me unfortunately

Thanks for all advice and I'll let you know what happens with the funding!

xx

[deeb66]

Good luck Lana

Hope it all goes well

Dee

[rubybubbles]

I wish I could do mine throguh college, it woul doff been nice to have people to compare with, get ideas ect! It's been (still feels like) a hard slog sometimes

Good luck for when you get started

[banana]

Thank you!

x