Achieving consistently high grades while balancing work, family, and other commitments can feel difficult. Many adult learners worry that studying later in life or studying online might make it harder to reach top academic results.

However, the experience of many learners shows the opposite can often be true. With the right structure, support, and study environment, online learners frequently achieve outstanding academic performance.

In fact, many students studying with the Association of Learning consistently achieve average A* results across their coursework.

Explore our online childcare courses here

These results highlight what is possible when flexible online learning is combined with strong tutor guidance and a commitment to academic excellence.

Programmes such as the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education demonstrate how structured distance learning can help students achieve exceptional outcomes while preparing for meaningful careers in early years education.

Why Online Learners Often Achieve Higher Grades

One of the most powerful advantages of online learning is flexibility. Traditional classroom education requires students to follow fixed schedules, which can sometimes limit how effectively individuals absorb and review information.

Online learners are able to structure their study time around when they learn best. Some students concentrate better early in the morning, while others prefer studying in the evening once work or family responsibilities are complete.

This flexibility allows learners to spend more time on challenging topics, revisit lessons when needed, study in a focused environment, and balance learning alongside existing commitments. As a result, many students find they develop a deeper understanding of the material, which naturally contributes to stronger academic results and consistently high grades.

The Study Habits Behind Average A* Performance

While flexibility plays a major role in academic success, the habits students develop during their course are equally important. Students who consistently achieve top grades tend to adopt structured and proactive approaches to learning.

High performing students often create a regular study schedule. Setting aside dedicated learning time each week ensures consistent progress and prevents work from building up near assignment deadlines. Successful learners also actively engage with course materials rather than simply reading through them. This might include taking notes, summarising key concepts, or testing their knowledge through practice questions.

Regular communication with tutors is another common factor among students who achieve average A* grades. Tutors provide valuable feedback, clarify difficult topics, and help learners refine their assignments.

Top performing students also review their assignments carefully before submission to ensure their work meets the course guidance and expectations.

These habits help students maintain a strong academic standard throughout their programme.

Real Results in Childcare and Education

One example of these results can be seen in the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education, a course designed for learners who want to develop foundational knowledge for working in early years education.

Students studying this qualification often demonstrate exceptional commitment and academic performance, with many achieving average A* grades across their coursework. These results reflect both the dedication of the learners and the supportive learning environment provided through structured online study.

The course covers important topics such as child development, safeguarding and wellbeing, supporting learning in early years settings, and the role of early years professionals.

By building a strong understanding of these areas, learners gain the knowledge required to progress towards further childcare qualifications or careers within the early years sector.

For individuals considering a career working with young children, the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education offers an excellent starting point while demonstrating that high academic achievement is entirely possible through flexible online study.

How Tutor Support Helps Students Achieve Top Grades

Another key factor behind consistently strong academic results is expert tutor support. Online learning does not mean studying alone.

Tutor guidance plays an essential role in helping students develop their understanding and improve their coursework.

Tutors provide detailed feedback on assignments, guidance on improving academic writing, clarification of complex topics, and encouragement throughout the course.

This personalised support helps learners strengthen their knowledge while ensuring they remain confident and engaged with their studies.

For many students, tutor guidance becomes one of the most valuable parts of the learning experience.

The Advantages of Flexible Distance Learning

Distance learning has become increasingly popular because it allows people to pursue education without putting their lives on hold. Adult learners, career changers, and parents can benefit from the accessibility of online courses.

Flexible study makes it possible to learn from anywhere with an internet connection, study alongside full time employment, progress through course material at a comfortable pace, and build qualifications without attending a physical classroom.

These advantages allow learners to focus on mastering course content rather than struggling to manage rigid schedules.

As a result, students often feel more confident, motivated, and capable of achieving outstanding academic results.

Practical Tips for Achieving Higher Grades in Online Courses

If you are aiming to achieve high grades in an online programme there are several practical strategies that can help you succeed.

Creating a dedicated study environment can improve concentration and productivity. Having a quiet and organised space helps maintain focus during study sessions.

Setting realistic study goals can also help maintain motivation and prevent assignments from becoming overwhelming.

Reviewing tutor feedback carefully provides valuable insight into how coursework can be improved. Applying this guidance consistently can significantly raise the quality of future assignments.

Staying consistent with study habits is also essential. Regular and steady study is far more effective than last minute preparation and allows learners to fully understand course material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students really achieve average A* grades through online learning?

Yes. With structured courses, tutor support, and consistent study habits, many online learners achieve exceptional academic results. Flexible study often allows students to fully understand course material and produce high quality assignments.

Is the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education respected by employers?

Yes. CACHE qualifications are widely recognised within the childcare and education sector and provide an important foundation for individuals pursuing careers in early years settings.

Can I study a childcare qualification while working?

Many learners complete childcare qualifications while working full time. Flexible distance learning allows students to study at times that suit their personal and professional schedules.

How can I improve my coursework grades?

Improving grades often comes down to consistent study, applying tutor feedback, and thoroughly reviewing assignments before submission.

Begin Your Journey Towards Academic Excellence

Achieving outstanding academic results is entirely possible through structured online learning. With flexible study, expert tutor guidance, and strong personal commitment, many learners consistently achieve average A* grades across their coursework.

Courses such as the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education demonstrate how online study can support both academic excellence and career development.

Whether you are starting a new career path or building your knowledge in early years education, flexible learning provides the opportunity to reach your full potential.

By combining dedication with the right learning environment, you can achieve the grades and qualifications that open the door to new professional opportunities.

The post How Students Achieve an Average A* Grade in an Online Childcare Course appeared first on Association of Learning.

1. What is an NVQ?
2. What is a QCF?
3. What is an RQF?
4. How do RQF courses work?
5. When did the system change?
6. What are the differences between NVQ, QCF, and RQF qualifications?
7. Are RQF courses better?
8. Is my NVQ still valid?
9. Is my QCF still valid?
10. Why choose Association of Learning for an RQF course?

The Old Frameworks (QCF & NVQ)

NVQ

National Vocational Qualifications were earned on the job and serve as proof of competence in a given field. There are a total of eight levels, starting at level 1 (which focuses on fundamental workplace skills) and ending at level 8 (when students were expected to be working at the management level). To earn an NVQ you had to be evaluated based on portfolios and observational sessions with an assessor.

QCF

The Qualifications and Credit Framework, or QCF, was a way for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to classify and recognise qualifications based on how hard they were and how many credits they were worth. It was meant to make it easy to understand and compare qualifications from different subjects and institutions in a clear and consistent way. It was introduced in 2008 to replace the NVQ framework. A QCF course was more adaptable and less time-consuming than an NVQ course. By taking a QCF course, you could obtain one of 3 types of qualifications:

1. Certificate (13-36 credits)
2. Diploma (37+ credits)
3. Award (1-12 credits)

The New System (RQF)

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to classify and regulate qualifications based on how hard they are and how much learning they require. It replaced the old system (QCF) in October 2015 to help people understand and compare qualifications in a clearer and more flexible way. Under the RQF, there is no time limit to finish your qualifications like there was under the old systems. Students can instead work through them at their own leisure. Since the framework lacks the QCF’s strict rules on institutions, awarding bodies are allowed to constantly assess, refine, and advance their courses. Now, awarding bodies can put more emphasis on results.

How do RQF Courses Work?

1. Levels – Like the QCF before it, the RQF uses a system of levels to show how hard qualifications are. There are also eight levels, from Entry to Level 8, where Entry Level is for learners with basic skills, and Level 8 represents the most advanced qualifications (often at doctorate level!).
2. Qualification Descriptors – Each level of the RQF is associated with qualification descriptors. These outline the knowledge, skills, and competencies expected of learners at that level. These descriptors offer a clearer understanding of what qualifications at each level entail.
3. Total Qualification Time (TQT) – One of the major changes introduced by the RQF is Total Qualification Time (TQT). TQT is the estimated amount of time that a learner would need to complete a qualification, including guided learning, independent study, and assessment. This helps learners get a better idea of the time commitment they need to make to achieve a qualification.
4. Guided Learning Hours (GLH) – Under the umbrella of TQT, are Guided Learning Hours (GLH). They represent the time spent in teacher or tutor-led instruction. This gives students a clear picture of how much of their chosen qualification is structured learning.
5. Flexibility and Recognition – Thankfully, like the QCF, the RQF also emphasises the recognition of prior learning. Students are able to accumulate credit across qualifications and learning institutions, making it much easier to transfer credits and build up qualifications over time!
6. Qualification Types – The RQF still upholds the qualification types in the QCF: Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas.
7. Industry Relevance – RQF courses are also still designed to align with the needs of employers, as they’re developed to match industry standards. Learners on RQF courses acquire relevant skills to the job market.
8. Awarding Organisations – Organisations that offer RQF courses need to design and deliver courses that adhere to the framework’s principles. The result is a huge variety of qualifications on offer, catering to the needs of every student and industry.

When Did The Changes Occur?

NVQ → QCF

NVQ’s were introduced in the 1980s to offer a qualification framework focused on training and development. By 2008, the system had become dated, and the QCF began allowing greater progression and career mobility to learners. Eventually, NVQs were added to the QCF framework. In 2011, the shift became official, and all NVQs were placed in the QCF, enabling all qualifications attained across the UK to hold the same credits and achievement levels.

QCF → RQF

As the QCF became the main framework used for courses in the UK, it was reviewed. The findings showed that the QCF framework focused too heavily on structure over validity. As an answer to this, RQF qualifications were introduced. By October 2015, the decision was made to transition from the QCF to RQF. This move allowed students the opportunity to study from home at their own pace, due to the RQF getting rid of hard and fast deadlines associated with certification sizes. 2018 saw the complete shift of QCF qualifications to the RQF Framework.

What’s the Difference?

You may be scratching your head and wondering what the difference really is between these frameworks.

While they have a lot in common, there are a few key differences:

Total Qualification Time (TQT) vs. Credits and Units

• RQF: The new RQF system introduced the concept of TQT, or Total Qualification Time, which offers a far more accurate way for learners to gauge the time a qualification will take.
• QCF: The old QCF system was based on units and credits, where each unit completed held a credit value, indicating the time it took to complete.

Qualification Descriptors

• RQF: The RQF has introduced qualification descriptors for each qualification level, outlining what’s expected of students. This has helped learners have a clearer understanding of content and the expectations of the course.
• QCF: The QCF also used to have level descriptors, but the RQF has surpassed it in terms of detail.

Flexibility and Credit Accumulation 

• RQF: One of the most important features of the RQF is its commitment to flexibility and credit accumulation. Learners can earn credit and transfer it across different qualifications and schools/colleges allowing for more personalised learning experiences.
• QCF: The old framework also allowed credit accumulation, but there were much more rigid rules compared to the RQF.

Are RQF Courses Better Than QCF and NVQ?

Absolutely. The RQF’s descriptive make-up allows awarding bodies the freedom to develop, update, and replace qualifications as needed. There’s less of a focus on strict rules and structure, and more focus on outcomes, the goals of the qualification, and promoting creativity.

How RQF Aligns with Professional Registration (e.g., Early Years, Adult Care)

RQF qualifications are recognised by regulators and professional bodies across childcare, health, and social care. Courses like the Early Years Educator and Adult Care Diploma meet full and relevant criteria,  helping learners gain recognised status in their field.

Is My NVQ Still Valid?

Definitely! Any NVQ certificate issued by an awarding institution is valid as long as it was legitimately acquired, regardless of which certifications you choose to undertake in the future.

Is My QCF Still Valid?

Yes! The most important thing to remember is that a certificate issued by an awarding institution is valid if it was legitimately acquired, no matter what courses you decide to enrol on later.

Why Choose Association of Learning for an RQF Course?

Who We Are

Association of Learning have over 400 home learning courses for you to choose from. Whether you are looking to extend your current knowledge with a new qualification, or wish to embark on a career change, our range of distance learning courses will suit your requirements.

Distance Learning

Our approach to distance learning is designed to work around busy people like you. Now you can gain the qualifications you want in the comfort of your own home, without the pressure of tight deadlines. There’s no better time to rediscover yourself and be at your best.

Why Learn with Us?

Personal tutor support

Trusted and regulated

Flexible, simple learning

Quality

Association of Learning offer quality courses which are compliant with current regulations and updated regularly.

Experience

Our team have a combined knowledge of 25 years in the learning sector, leading the way with progression.

Technology

Our systems are built around the latest e-learning technology to provide you with the best learning experience.

Price Guarantee

If we can’t beat our competition, we’ll provide your learning free of charge on like for like courses.

To learn more about our RQF courses, click here.

To explore our entire range of qualifications, follow this link to our course catalogue.

The post What are QCF, NVQ, and RQF Qualifications? What’s the Difference? appeared first on Association of Learning.

You need to explore your options after completing a Level 3 qualification in childcare or a series of online courses. Because these qualifications are required for most childcare jobs and settings, your employability should skyrocket!

But for what roles? Let’s explore some popular job titles for qualified childcare professionals:

Nursery Practitioner

Because many childcare courses are designed with nursery settings in mind, this is the most obvious and direct career path. Your credentials will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this role of caring for and educating young children.

Social Worker

If you are particularly interested in the social aspects of childcare and want to protect vulnerable children, a career as a social worker may be an appealing option to consider. It is important to note that, in addition to childcare, qualifications in social work and psychology are typically required for this career path.

Family Support Officer

Your level 3 childcare qualification, like social work, can serve as a stepping stone to a career as a family support officer. This role entails assisting and guiding families in need, as well as providing support in various aspects of their lives.

Youth Worker

While additional qualifications may be required to pursue this career path, your current childcare credentials can serve as a solid foundation for a career as a youth worker. Youth workers play an important role in assisting young people’s development and navigating the challenges they face.

You can take your qualifications a step further by going into self-employment and opening your own nursery centre or childminding business. This path allows you to manage your own time, be your own boss, and create an environment that you are proud of. You can also pursue specific areas of interest that have emerged during your learning journey.

High-quality online childcare courses, for example, frequently broaden your knowledge beyond the practicalities of childcare. You may develop an interest in child psychology and gain insights into the inner workings of a child’s mind as a result of your studies. Alternatively, you may be drawn to researching language and social development, as well as their influence on children’s personalities and morals. This newfound knowledge may inspire you to pursue careers in coaching, counselling, or teaching students with special educational needs.

As you can see, childcare qualifications can open the door to a variety of rewarding career paths, providing years of job satisfaction while contributing to the growth and success of others. In essence, these credentials provide a solid foundation that can propel you to expertise in a variety of rewarding fields.

So, if you have a Level 3 qualification in childcare and are wondering what to do next, remember that your certificate opens the door to an infinite number of opportunities. You can shape your career and become anything you want with determination and ambition.

Please visit our website for more information on our childcare courses and the various career options available to you.

The post What jobs can I get with a childcare qualification? appeared first on Association of Learning.

Here are our 10 practical tips for successful holiday study sessions:

1. Make a plan including the whole family: Don’t hide your study needs! Work together to make a plan for the holidays that allows time for both studying and spending time together.
2. Set realistic goals: Make sure you’re not spreading yourself too thin during the holidays. Remember, you deserve a little break too.
3. Pace yourself: Spread out your study sessions across the vacation time so that you’re not rushing or stressed.
4. Utilise short study bursts: Plan shorter, focused study periods of 20–30 minutes, allowing simple incorporation into your regular routine.
5. Time management: Find ways to save time on daily tasks such as chores and meal prep so you can devote more time to your studies.
6. Meal preparation: Plan your meals in advance and do your grocery shopping online to free up more time for studying.
7. Get the whole family involved: Assign duties and devise a reward system for kids who participate!
8. Establish a dedicated study space: Set aside a certain area of your home or flat where you can get some peace and quiet. Make it clear that you don’t want to be disturbed while you’re studying.
9. Create storage: This tip is useful if you don’t have a designated space, as you can safely store your materials until you’re ready to learn.
10. Re-think your chores: For instance, consider how clean your house needs to be. If you know over the holidays you’ll be out a lot seeing family, visiting friends, and attending dinners, slow down on your cleaning and give yourself a small break.

These effective strategies enable successful holiday studying while cherishing family time. Stay tuned for our next post, exploring more ways to balance studies and family without making sacrifices.

The post Mastering Holiday Studies with Family: 10 Essential Tips for Home Learners 2023 appeared first on Association of Learning.

• Integrate your studies with your other commitments – the great thing about technology is that it now allows you to learn on the go.  From carrying around your laptop, to listening to webinars on your commute (in the car or on the train), to reading through notes on your phone, you can easily bring your studies with you whilst you’re on the go.  This is great news, as you can use these resources to study whilst taking your kids to their clubs, driving to work or are cooking food;
• Find ways to keep your kids occupied – this will ease any guilt you may feel as you’ll know that they are being entertained and aren’t getting bored.

Try these:

• Set them chores or fun activities to do at home – with chores we suggest giving them an incentive e.g. control over the TV, picking the next film at the cinema, choosing where you go on your next outing, etc. Make sure they will be rewarded for completing them;
• Study when your kids are at an activity/club – like we mentioned before, either bring your studies with you or get your partner to take them so you can stay home and study.

• Get your kids involved – this tip is especially true, if your kids are curious about what you’re doing. In this instance, try making it into a game where they can either do their homework at the same time or you get them to help test you.  With the homework idea, this will help to kill two birds with one stone as you won’t have to worry about them getting behind with their reading, projects or worksheets, or doing them last minute. Instead, you can make a group activity where they get to spend time with you as you all work.  Alternatively, if you ask them to quiz you. This will give you the advantage of learning how to answer the questions in layman’s terms (in a way your children will understand) as well as will give your brain another way to absorb the information.

• Create a support network – it is easy to feel alone with online learning courses. With no classroom or physical teacher to guide you, you can get overwhelmed. For this reason, we suggest creating a support network of friends, family and study peers, so you never feel isolated.  In fact, inviting your friends and family into your world, will make it easier for you to study as they will be aware of the pressure you’re under and will be more willing to help out where they can. Likewise, creating a group of peers will ensure you are surrounded by others who known exactly what you’re going through.  Fortunately, a lot of online course providers supply online forums where you can easily communicate with other online learners. The advantage of this is that it allows you to ask questions, exchange ideas and even arrange to meet up.

As you can see, it is possible to achieve a healthy home-study balance, no matter the time of year or what you have got going on in your life. Simply incorporate each of the above tips into your learning and you can ensure that you spend your holidays the right way.

For more information on home learning, visit our website.

The post Studying tips for the school holidays (Part Two) appeared first on Association of Learning.

What is a DBS check?

Otherwise known as Disclosure and Barring Service, this check is designed to see if an individual has got any criminal convictions and cautions. Now in a school setting, you will be asked to undertake an enhanced DBS check. Here, any reports that have been made against you to the police will be recorded. At the same time the police will be allowed to make comments to your employer (if necessary).

NOTE: for those of you already in the childcare industry, you might have spotted some similarities between DBS and CRB checks. And you would be right to say this as the DBS replaced CRB checks following changes to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

How to get a DBS check:

The first thing you need to know is that you cannot ask for a DBS yourself. You will need to go through the company, school, charity, etc. who are offering you employment. They will then ask you for specific information to help confirm who you are and where you live.

From here, you will be sent an online form, which the employer will then endorse saying that they have reviewed all of your relevant identifying documents. Once sent, checks will be carried out and you’ll receive a certificate through the post.

When will you need to get a DBS check?

These checks are not something any old employer can demand. They are only applicable if you want to work in a position involving vulnerable people i.e. as a teacher in schools; a childminder (at home or in a nursery), a social worker, a medical professional (in a hospital and GP practice) or as a foster carer (home or children’s home).
Likewise, certain professions will require a DBS upon entry into the career. Common ones include solicitors and accountants, as there may be occasions where you need to work with children or vulnerable people. These checks will also act as proof of your honesty and integrity which is useful when applying for new jobs.

Things you need to know:

1. Companies can only request DBS checks once you are 16 years old.
2. DBS checks have got a limited shelf life as you’ll need to get a new one with each new employer. Likewise, some employers will ask you to update it annually, despite them technically never expiring.
3. The DBS process can take approximately 8 weeks to complete. However, it could be quicker depending on the complexity of the details the company requires.
4. The cost of DBS checks can range from £26 to £44 (depending on how detailed the check needs to be). A lot of companies will cover the cost; however, they may ask you to pay for it.
5. DBS checks have 3 levels: standard, enhanced and enhanced with list checks. The basic one will list your spent and unspent convictions, reprimands, cautions and final warnings. Enhanced checks go a step further as they also provide any relevant info held on you by the police. The last level checks DBS barred lists, where you may have been stopped from working with children, animals and other vulnerable groups.
6. Employers can only request the check that is most relevant to the role you’re applying for.

What happens when something is wrong?

Should your DBS check come back and the certificate contain incorrect details i.e. wrong personal details or mistakes in criminal records; then it is within your right to report these mistakes (as long as you do this within 3 months of the check request). Your employer can sort this out and can request that they are rectified. From here, local authorities can perform essential checks to ensure this mistake is corrected.

Now these are just the basic fundamentals of DBS checks. For more information you can also check out the government website.  Alternatively, to increase your employability odds, take a look at our online courses.

The post Understanding DBS checks appeared first on Association of Learning.

So what can you do? How can you make your services more accessible?

The first step is understanding learning disabilities and what falls under its definition.

What are learning disabilities?

According to the Department of Health, learning disabilities are defined as a ‘significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills, with a reduced ability to copy independently.’

Currently, there are thousands of children in the UK who have been diagnosed with some form of learning disability. Yet, there are thousands more who are yet to be diagnosed.

What can you do?

From providing a wider variety of interactive learning activities, to being more flexible with your timetable/routine; there is a lot you can do as a childminder to ensure that your childcare offering is truly inclusive.

Yet not everyone is flexible…

In fact, many parents struggle to find a professional childminder or nursery with the necessary skills/knowledge to properly care for children with learning disabilities.

But here is the thing – you don’t have to make massive changes to ensure that the children in your care remain safe and nurtured. By making a few simple adaptations/provisions to your services, it is possible to create a space where ALL children can play, learn and access activities.

1. Create a plan with their parents – every child is unique and has different needs. For a child with learning disabilities these can often be complex, so it is important that you work alongside their parents so that you can adapt your childcare provision to suit their needs.Changes can range from the amount of exercise they have, to the types of activities they want to do. Similarly, offering a more flexible timetable can ensure that their learning stays on track, but takes into account the difficulties they may face with certain tasks.TIP: plan their childcare provision with the help of their parents, but also speak to their social worker (if they have one) or any other professional services their parents to get advice.
2. Even the smallest of changes can have a big impact – despite claims that accommodating children with special needs/disabilities is expensive, too complicated or too disruptive to implement; countless studies have proven that small changes can have a big impact on children with learning difficulties.Take for instance, creating a quiet space. Whilst children with learning disabilities may need the calm this kind of space creates more frequently; quiet spaces are ideal for any child.This same rule can apply to other situations. So instead of believing that you’ll have to make massive changes in order to accommodate a child with a learning disability, remember this simply isn’t true.
3. Accessible play equipment – all play equipment and toys should be accessible to every child within a nursery or childminding environment. However, the sad truth is – a lot of mainstream toys are not suitable for children with learning disabilities.For this reason, consider doing the following:- Improve the lighting in your playrooms – this will assist any child that has visual impairments and will enable them to see things better.
   – Use different colours to identify different areas – for example use bright, happy colours in your playrooms, and muted colours in other spaces, so all of the children can differentiate between the purpose of each space and the behaviour they should adopt.
   -Improve flooring – make sure it is non-slip and that there are no obstacles in the way. Similarly, consider incorporating walking aids from room to room to enable children to move around more freely. Also, try taking into consideration how the space looks and how it will impact children who may process visual information and clues more slowly.
4. Inclusivity – this is not just about ensuring that all childminders and carers understand how to engage with children with disabilities. This is also about the other children within your care.Now most of the time children rarely see the differences between themselves, so your task as a childminder is to ensure that you continue to model this behaviour so everyone in your care is treated equally and the same. The first step to achieving this is examining the language you use to interact and encourage children to play together. Your language should encourage them to engage, play and treat each other with fairness, kindness and as equals.
5. Improve your skills – there are tonnes of childminding courses you can enrol onto that can provide you with specialist training on working with children with physical and learning disabilities. Many of these courses can be accessed online, allowing you to study whilst you work and achieve these qualifications in your own time.And this can make a massive difference to your career, as not only will you feel more prepared to assist children with learning disabilities; the skills you’ll acquire will help you to create a safe, inclusive and nurturing play environment where they can grow and flourish.

So if you are interested in expanding your childcare offering, why not consider incorporating all of these into your childcare provision? Combined, they can help you to create a fantastic learning and play space for ALL children.

The post How to Provide Childcare to Children with Learning Disabilities appeared first on Association of Learning.

Yet, are they actually entitled to anything? For instance, if they are looking after your children regularly, then can you pay them for ‘acting’ as a childminder?

The Situation

Nearly 97% of families in the UK turn to grandparents or other close relatives for childminding support. This can range from picking up/dropping children at school, or looking after them for the entire day whilst parents work.

Bearing this in mind, it makes sense to wonder if you should pay them for their childminding duties. Yet what are the legal implications of this? If you are paying someone as a childminder, are there rules?

When should someone register as a childminder?

Legally, you should register as a childminder if you are caring for children: who are not close relatives; if you are doing it for more than two hours a day, and if you are charging for it.

Similarly, once registered as a professional childminder, you will need to undergo a DBS to determine that you are safe to work with children; that you have got a paediatric first aid certificate (if you haven’t got one you need one), and that you have been inspected by OFSTED (UK).

What is classed as a close relative – in relation to childminding?

Close relatives are usually classed as grandparents and aunts/uncles – essentially immediate family. Cousins or more distant relatives are just outside of this group, and may need to register as a childminder – in the eyes of the law – if they look after your child on a regular basis.

The rules on this are not very clear though, so if you are not sure we recommend investigating further.

However, it is also important to note here that whilst close relatives don’t need to register, technically they can charge for looking after your child.

Can grandparents and aunts/uncles charge for taking care of your child?

Now this is a little bit of a grey area. Whilst it is not uncommon for parents to give money to relatives who look after their children regularly; there is much debate over whether they should declare this money and pay income tax (by declaring themselves on a self-assessment form), or whether it should be seen as a token gesture payment.

In the case of token gestures, they can be counted as such if they are less than a childminder’s professional rate. At the moment 25 hours of childcare (per week) for an under 2 year old is around £107. Full time it is £227 per week.

Can you call them ‘expenses’, rather than payments?

For many people, the reason why they rely on relatives and grandparents is because it wouldn’t be worth returning to work if they had to pay for childcare. Similarly, for parents who work odd hours or shifts, getting a childminder who can do these types of hours is hard.

This isn’t a problem with relatives, as they can easily have their grandchildren to sleep over; can run them to school in the morning, and will happily look after them during the holidays.

Bearing all of this in mind, the money you offer could easily be construed as expenses for things such as food or for taking them on outings during half term.

Now, should you find yourself in a situation where your relative wants a childminders rate, then it may be worth using a professional childminder instead. After all, if you are paying them the same rate, then you may as well take advantage of the activities, play and learning exercises that childminders offer.

So can grandparents get paid?

In the last few years, it has become possible for grandparents in the UK to be paid for looking after their grandchildren full time. This is usually deducted from the parents own contributions and is transferred to the grandparents instead. For more information, we recommend visiting the HMRC. Alternatively, to find out more about the service childminders provide, take a look at our online childminding courses.

The post Can Family Members Get Paid for Caring for your Child? appeared first on Association of Learning.

And it is a tough decision to make as on the one hand with a nursery your child will have ample chance to socialise, mix and get ready to start school, whilst on the other, with a childminder your child will receive more one-on-one attention.

So how do you choose which is best for you and your child? Which is the right choice?

Instead of supplying you with a long list of their pros and cons, below we have come up with a range of things to consider to help make it easier for you to make a real and informed decision:

1. Qualifications – believe it or not, but childminders and nursery staff are not actually obligated to have qualifications in childminding. Other than having a current Paediatric First Aid certificate, as long as they have policies and procedures in place that satisfy the local authority; nurseries and childminders can start operating their business straight away.That being said, most nurseries endeavour to make sure all of their staff are trained and qualified, whilst the majority of childminders will also undertake a range of childcare courses.

   For this reason, when choosing between the two ask to see their qualifications. Qualifications are a great way to build reassurance that your child is in safe hands, as they demonstrate their ability to provide your child with the right care, as well as understand your child’s needs and how they can help them to develop.

2. Inspection report – what did their last one say? Nurseries within English are registered with OFSTED, and as such are inspected regularly (at set intervals). During this inspection, OFSTED will create a detailed report that will grade the nursery on a scale of excellent to good, poor or inadequate. This report can be found by going onto OFSTED’s website and searching for the nurseries name.Childminders are similarly inspected by OFSTED (in England) to ensure that they meet safety and learning standards (that are expected of them). These reports can also be found on their website.

   For both, we recommend reading the reports, but also paying attention to when these reports were done. As I mentioned before, they are done at intervals, so the report could be a couple of years old and no longer entirely accurate.

3. Daily routine – whether you choose to send your child to a nursery or a childminder, this transition will bring great change to your child’s routine. For most children, following a routine/having a structure to their day can help prepare them for school life. Nurseries are well known for keeping to a timetable that isn’t that different from school. For instance, a lot do messy play in the morning before story time and lunch. Some nurseries will even encourage children to nap – depending on their age – in the afternoon, whilst others allow napping to happen when the child wants.Whatever the routine they adopt, nurseries will display a weekly/monthly timetable for you to view so you are fully aware of what your child is doing.

   Childminders tend to operate differently and will structure their day based on the children they are caring for. Like a nursery, childminders are expected to offer different tasks/activities during the day, in order to stimulate children and encourage learning.

4. Keeping you up-to-date – whilst a timetable of their daily activities is helpful, as a parent you’ll want to know how your child is personally doing and what they are getting up to whilst they are there. Similarly, you want to be kept abreast of any concerns. For this reason, it is important to find out their procedures for keeping you informed so you are completely aware of the best ways to communicate with them.Nurseries and childminders should keep detailed records of your child’s development. These will be entered daily, weekly or monthly into a reporting system which they can then pass on to you. Alternatively, you can leave a notebook with your childminder, where they can make daily entries of your child’s activities, eating habits and nap times etc.
5. Managing children’s behaviour – in order to create a safe and happy environment for children, boundaries need to be established; however, the way parents choose to discipline their children can vary from parent to parent, and in turn from nursery to nursery and childminder to childminder.We suggest asking to see their policy documents on discipline, so you can see how they choose to handle it. From distraction techniques, to raising concerns with you, to working together; techniques can vary so be sure to thoroughly read them and only use a nursery/childminder that suits you.

Naturally, we all want the best for our children, so picking between a nursery or a childminder is a decision that will take time and careful consideration.

So why not try using the questions above to help you make the right choice? Alternatively, why not take a look at our range of childcare and childminding courses, so you can gain a firmer impression of the qualifications they possess and how they can assist your child?

The post Childminder or Nursery? How do you choose which is right for you? appeared first on Association of Learning.

Yet this could be a big mistake!

In this post we aim to dispel existing misconceptions about childminding, and instead help to paint a clearer picture of what childminding entails; how to turn it into a self-employed business and whether it is possible to earn a good income from childcare.

Is childminding worth the risk?

The reality is – very few of us these days have the luxury of being able to be a full-time stay at home parent, and as a result, the demand for childminders is incredibly high.

Yet, this doesn’t mean the life of a childminder is easy…

You see, every parent wants the best for their child, so if they are to entrust their children into the care of someone else, they want the finest the industry has got to offer.

Not only do they want a childminder that will care, stimulate and assist with their child’s educational development; they want a professional who has genuinely got their child’s best interests at heart.

In others words, they have exceedingly high expectations, so if you are to succeed and win them over, you need to be prepared to meet their expectations head on.

Luckily, achieving such expectations has never been easier.

Is it profitable?

In the past, childminding has been considered a low paying job; yet in recent years this mind set has begun to change. In fact, the whole profession has revolutionised itself, meaning if you undergo the right training and become a qualified professional, it is now possible to earn a salary that matches your high standard of training.

The key is to take this training and use it to make you their number one choice:

1. What are parents expectations – parents are willing to pay to put their children in the right kind of environment, so it is important that you are able to recognise what they are looking for and then use this knowledge to find a balance between the needs of the child and your statutory/legal obligations as a childminder.
2. Reputation – your reputation is everything – especially amongst parents – as they will talk amongst themselves. As your reputation grows, so will the demand for your services. Now whilst this is what you want, you need to remember your statutory limit – especially if you are childminding in your own home by yourself – as you can only legally look after a certain number of children at a time (depending on their age). However, by acquiring a strong local reputation, you can ensure that once a space becomes available you are able to fill it quickly.
3. Keep it in the family – success in looking after one child, will ensure that their siblings follow suite. More so, as you will have established a relationship of trust with the parent (as they’ll know that they are leaving their child with a trained professional).
4. Be an ‘all-rounder’ – taking an ‘all-rounder’ approach to childminding will ensure that your services always stay in high demand. This is particularly true if you can demonstrate specialist training in behaviour management, as your ability to assist children with special educational, behavioural or social needs, will make you an asset to parents. Remember: it can be hard for parents who have children with special requirements to completely entrust their child in the care of others. By acquiring specialist training you can earn their trust.

What qualifications do you need?

Whilst you don’t need to hold any specific qualifications to become a childminder; local authorities and parents alike, do have certain expectations and will more than likely choose a childminder who possess a qualification in childcare (or something similar).

For this reason, we strongly recommend looking into childminding courses as they will provide you with all the knowledge, training and resources you need to successfully create a safe environment where children can learn and develop. In turn, they can provide you with a deeper understanding of childcare related issues, so you can easily create a stimulating and educational setting where they will flourish and be happy.

Alongside enrolling – either on a college or online childminding course – it is also important that you:

• Attain a first aid qualification
• Remain aware of any changes/developments in child protection procedures
• Undergo an extended DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check – NOTE: this needs to remain current, so remember to speak with your local authority to find out how often you need to get this check updated.
• Get insurance to ensure that you are protected in the event of an accident or injury. This includes getting Public Liability Insurance, as well as insurance for yourself and your property.

Why should you become a childminder?

If you love the idea of working with children and helping them to grow emotionally, physically and educationally; then becoming a childminder could be the career for you.

The fact that it is so much easier to become a qualified childminder these days, means you don’t have to wait long to make your mark on this career. Instead, you can take advantage of all the online childcare and childminding courses that are available, and learn how to enter this career from the comfort of your own home.

So if you are looking to make a difference, why not consider becoming a childminder? Childminder figures may have dropped by nearly 25% since 2012; however, this drop – combined with your arsenal of qualifications – will ensure you are in higher demand from parents.

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