Students
The Student Handbook contains all you need to know about studying for a childcare qualification, including ways to study, progression routes and information on the different types of qualifications and awards available.
You can download the PDF and audio files from here.
Student Learning Zone
If you are a student or tutor of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, you can access the Student Learning Zone. This mini-site will provide you with information on courses, updates on changes within the sector, useful resources and top tips.
Different ways to study
The Pre-school Learning Alliance makes every effort to ensure learning is accessible and flexible. We aim to meet the needs of the busy and committed people who are involved in the early years sector.
Classroom-based learning
Most Pre-school Learning Alliance courses are offered in classrooms. You will also learn in your pre-school setting by relating what is going on there to what you have learned in the classroom. For example, if you are studying child development, you will observe the development of the children you are working with and understand how the theories you have learned are demonstrated in real life. Through classroom-based learning you will have regular face-to-face guidance and advice from your tutor and the opportunity to join in discussions with fellow students.
Supported distance learning
The Alliance provides supported distance learning courses which bring together the advantages of a classroom-based course with the convenience of distance learning (see below). This type of learning is available to students on the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre-school Practice and the CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Pre-school Practice. Ask your Alliance divisional centre about this type of study. Under the supported distance learning scheme, you learn using the National Extension College's distance learning materials and study guide. You have the opportunity to meet with your tutor and fellow students on a number of occasions during the course. At these sessions, your tutor provides extra help with particularly challenging parts of the course and offers face-to-face guidance and advice. You can contact your assigned tutor by phone or e-mail between sessions.
Distance learning
Some pre-school workers and parents choose to study the CACHE Introduction to Pre-school Practice, the CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Pre-school Practice or the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre-school Practice through distance learning, enrolling with the National Extension College (NEC). This proves a very convenient way of learning and training for pre-school work. If you choose to learn through the NEC distance learning programme, you will work from training materials produced with the help of the Pre-school Learning Alliance. You will have contact with your tutor by post, on the phone or by e-mail.
For more information on the NEC, visit www.nec-childcare.co.uk