What qualifications do British nannies have?

British Nannies can have any one of the following qualifications:

BTEC

A BTEC National Diploma in Child Studies (Nursery Nursing) indicates the holder studied for a full time course of a higher level than the NNEB diploma. The course places more emphasis on the academic work and includes modules for those interested in teaching, nursing, social work and childcare. This BTEC diploma is a full time two-year course, and thus distinguishable from the BTEC National Certificate in Childhood Studies which is a lower level one-year part time course offered to mature candidates. What the qualification allows the STUDENT to do: People with a BTEC diploma are qualified to work either in a nursery or to begin their career as a nanny. The BTEC diploma is well run although it has a slight emphasis on the academic, as opposed to the practical, side.

ADCE

ADCE (Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education). This is an advanced course open only to experienced Childcarers. What the course involves: Advanced course work dealing with special educational needs and with appraisal and training methods of childcare and education. What the qualification allows the STUDENT to do: People who have an ADCE diploma are qualified to do almost any job in childcare and the course is only open to experienced child carers. The manager of your local nursery will probably be run by someone with an ADCE diploma.

GNVQ

GNVQ courses are seen as vocational alternative to A levels. They are administered by City and Guilds and are aimed to cover Childcare and related studies. GNVQ Levels 2,3 & 4 can take up to two years to complete and are competence based. Students are given hands on experience and subject to assessment in the workplace. What the course involves: Level 2: assessed in a range of competencies dealing with children's physical, emotional and social development.
Level 3: assessed across 15 units including ability to work and care for children without supervision and management and support for parents and family.
Level 4: assessed for the ability to run and develop a play area and supervise other staff. What the qualification allows the STUDENT to do: Level 2: qualified to begin a career in childcare, either in nursery or as a mother's help.
Level 3: largely equivalent to an NNEB. Qualified to work as a nanny but some parental involvement and guidance is recommended for newly qualified girls.
Level 4: qualified for all types of childcare careers.

CACHE

(The Council for Awards in Childcare and Education), have recently taken over the conduct of this diploma and now also award a one-year certificate in Childcare and Education. What the course involves: 14 different modules covering both theory and practical areas of childcare. What the qualification allows the STUDENT to do: Nannies who have a CACHE certificate are qualified to start their career in childcare and begin working with children.

NNEB

An NNEB diploma in nursery nursing indicates the holder undertook a full time 2-year course covering the ages of 0-7. This is probably the most widely recognised qualification and gives student’s hands on experience in addition to the academic course which covers the physical, social, educational, intellectual and emotional needs of different ages. Other areas of study include health and hygiene, play and first aid. What the qualification allows the STUDENT to do: Once you have completed your NNEB you are well qualified to start working in a nursery. NNEB's can also start working as a nanny although we would recommend that with newly qualified NNEB's there is an element of parental guidance.