Request for clarification by Researcher answerfinder on Wed 10 Feb 2010 - 11:23 am UTC:

Just to check your requirements and your wording.
Nursery Teacher
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/JobProfile?jobprofileid=1486&jobprofilename=Nursery%20Teacher&code=-1012357331

Nursery Nurse. From the text of your question, I assume this is the one you
want information on.
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/JobProfile?jobprofileid=293&jobprofilename=Nursery%20Nurse&code=-1403764438

The whole industry appears to be in the state of change, and the literature
on it is VERY confusing.

I believe the Nursery Nurse Level 3 qualifications referred to above will
be no longer available/not suitable for a career as Nursery Nurse after
September 2010 and are to be replaced in England and Wales.

According to the Children’s Workforce Development Council it appears that
you must aim for a Level 3 and then Level 4 to be a Nursery Manager. 
http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/early-years/childcare-careers/training-and-qualifications#0

A new Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce is
being introduced which they are "aiming to make the Level 3 Diploma for
Children and Young People the only Level 3 diploma for the workforce in
England."

"The new Level 3 qualification is called a diploma to indicate its size. 
The national vocational qualifications (NVQs) brand and type will not be
present in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) as we are adhering
to the new qualification titles defined by the Qualifications and
Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA). It is our aim that the qualification
replaces NVQ’s and will in the future replace vocationally related
qualifications (VRQ)."
http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/qualifications/level-3-diploma-for-the-children-young-peoples-workforce/level-3-diploma-details

This is from their FAQs:
"In their Next Steps for Early Learning and Childcare, the government have
stated they are considering making it a requirement from 2015 for everyone
working in early years provision to have a full and relevant qualification
of at least Level 3."
http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/about/faq#Q_2979

"Will all early learning and childcare practitioners have to do the new
Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce?
A:    Not if they already have a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as
defined on the Qualifications List or have completed the appropriate
pathway where required.
New learners will be advised to undertake the new level 3 diploma."

So you will see from the last sentence that if you are undertaking the
career from anew, then this new diploma is the one to aim for.

Other level 3 qualifications mentioned on your link and on the
careersadvice.direct.gov link above, which have already been obtained, will
still be valid. See the link to Qualifications Credit Framework.
http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/qualifications-credit-framework

These are some articles on the subject. But it seems that as the change is
still underway many websites are out-of-date or do not have enough
information available . Also colleges and universities have yet to finalise
their post-September 2010 courses to offer the new Diploma. 
http://www.cityandguilds.com/49909.html
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Childcare-and-Early-Years/975763/Childcare-diploma-changes-will-not-affect-enrolled-students/
http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/916767/Protests-short-notice-new-level-3-diploma/
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/Archive/950388/Early-years---Level-2-bids-career-launch-pad/

I hope this makes sense of what appears to be an industry in the process of
change. I haven’t posted this as an answer yet as I want to give you the
opportunity to ask request any clarification once you have explore these
sites.

Phil
asnwerfinder