A problem I have and need advice please.

red.roses

I would like to get some advice please.

I'm qualified in montessori teaching. And i studied childcare through distance learning with the College of progressive education. The cc certificate that I gained is not fetac acredited. I always had the intention of studying cc fetac level 5. I started a course but had to drop out due to working full time, having no transport and having no time for work experience. I hope to go back again next year.

Im a minder to a young child with special needs in mindees own home.
A plan for possibly next sept is for the child to go to preschool, and the parents want me to accompany the child.

A new scheme is the ecce where a child of a certain age is entitled to a free preschool year. For establishments to qualify for this staff must be fetac L5 qualified.

Although i have a cc certificate, without fetac level 5 im not fully qualified, and the parents think im fully qualified. I suppose for a long time, before this ecce scheme came in i would have been suitable to work as an assistant in a preschool establishment.

I would like to get advice on what to say to the parents about not having fetac L5 cc.

red.roses

Anybody have advice for me?

kittenkiller

Did you specifically tell them that you had it?

If not, keep quiet.

Are they setting up their own establishment that they need you to operate?
Or is this a scheme where the govt. pay your wages for a year?

Do you know anyone else working under this scheme?
Maybe ask them how often these things are checked.

How long would it take for you to train up fully?
Would it be possible for you to get it done before the paperwork is processed?

Best of luck.

carolinespring

You can do leel 5 over the internet but I wouls suggest you do level 6. I am sure you are well fit for the work load. PM me if you need advice.

Do your employers think you have level 5? From what you are saying you would not be working for the pre-school the child would be going to but going as his minder with him? Is that right?

Billiejo

Confused?
Do the childs parents have the authority to dictate that you be 'employed' in the preposed child care facility?
If it is a bonafied 'local authority/private organisation there are certain rules which the facility must adhere too to remain registered. One is the qualifictions of workers, or anyone connected with child care on the premises. The other is Garda clearence where one has to cite their qualifications regarding child care.
Otherwise any error is 'under false pretenses'.

red.roses

Thanks for the replies.

Thanks Caroline for your input. Will pm you later for details of that online course. I dont know the plans just yet. But that is what the parents want is for me to acompany the child. I dont know how thats going to happen. It might be as how you have said to acompany the child as a minder. Or possibly to get the establisment to employ me. (With yesterdays budget they are going to want to save money as much as possible so thats probablx more than likely what they would want).

When I was asked for the job, they knew I had studied and it was cc related (the montessori teaching, and the distance learning cc). They never asked so I never told them what I had. Although I have a cc certificate its not fetac awarded which is more widely recognised.

John Mason

red.roses wrote: »

Or possibly to get the establisment to employ me. (With yesterdays budget they are going to want to save money as much as possible so thats probablx more than likely what they would want).

this is not going to happen. The will not employ you on the say of your employers.

You will be there as an assist to the child but even at that it is unlike that the creche will allow this, as there is insurance issues.

you need to sit down with your employers and discuss what is going to happen

carolinespring

I am with Irishbird on this one. it is unlightly that a childcare service would take ou o n with out at least level 5, child protection traing and first aid.

As a childminder you really also should have them plus garda vetting.

Most childcard settings would be unhappy to have a minder with the child as it makes the staffs jobs much harder and of course the insurance issue, plus child protection ones.

As the child you card for has special needs, I would suggest you sit down with your employers asap and if the you to still go with the child then a meeting needs to be set up between you, your employers and the pre-school service.

I would strongly suggest that you do the level 6 course. I am sure you are well able for it and it will stand to you if you plan a long career in childcare.

red.roses

Thanks for the replies Irishbird and Carolinespring.

Will talk to the parents. I dont know what to say. What do you think I should say.

carolinespring

Just tell it as it is, you have done a child care course but that it is not Fetac and that you are worried. See what they want and talk it all over. If you are good at your job I am sure that is all that matters to them and you can do your level 5/6.
Also phone the collee you did your course with and see if the are offering fetac and can they do anything to help.