Child Care Level 3 & Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Level 4 Diploma

Course Description

The Child Care Diploma course leads to a nationally-recognised Level 3 Award accredited by NCFE. It has been created to enable you to strengthen and develop your knowledge and understanding of home-based childcare practice.

The course topics that have been covered within the Child Care Diploma course include: The introduction to childcare practice, childcare and child development (0-16), the childcare practitioner and planning to meet children's individual needs.

This course will help you to improve your knowledge and skills, meet the requirements for basic training as part of childminder registration or application to be a registered childminder and undertake professional development.

The Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Diploma distance learning programme has been developed to enable those working, or hoping to work, in the role of ‘Higher Level teaching assistant’ (HLTA), to gain and develop a level of understanding and skills that will enable them to do this effectively.

The Higher Level Teaching Assistant Diploma (HLTA) course study modules are based around the professional standards for HLTA status which set out for teachers, employers and parents the contribution to pupils’ learning that HLTAs can be expected to make.  Although this course does not provide you with HLTA status, the course has been written alongside the 33 TDA standards and will provide you with the underpinning knowledge to progress in this field.

The standards cover three areas:

Professional attributes (standards 1-7)

These set out the attitudes, values and commitment expected of HLTAs.

Professional knowledge and understanding (standards 8-16)

These set out the knowledge and skills needed by HLTAs to be able to work effectively with teachers as part of the professional team supporting learning.

Professional skills (standards 17-33)

These set out the expectations for planning, monitoring, managing and evaluating learning within the framework of guidance and supervision agreed with the assigned teacher and in accordance with arrangements made by the headteacher of the school.

There is a mixture of question types requiring a range of responses, including: descriptive answers or the completion of practical activities. If you are currently working with children, the activities may be used in support of your particular role. However, if you are not actively working with children at present, you will find that wherever possible the questions are structured to provide you with alternative means of answering them. You may find it profitable to approach the head of one of your local schools, to explain what you are doing and to see whether there are any opportunities for you to gain experience by helping out in the school on a purely voluntary basis.

The starting salary for a Teaching Assistant ranges from around £11,000 to £16,000.  A Higher Level Teaching Assistant could earn up to £18,000 a year.  A fully-qualified FE Teacher can earn between £22,000 and £33,000 a year. - C&Q Qualification Guide 2009.

Previous Knowledge Required

You do not need any prior learning knowledge or experience to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone who wishes to take part in a highly rewarding home study course, although you would be expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor.

Support

You will receive the entire package of course materials in a single dispatch together with dedicated Tutor Support for 12 months.  All assignments are marked by one of our professional Tutors who will offer regular feedback and guide you through your course.

You will be provided with the telephone number for your dedicated Student Support Team who will be available for any other queries that you may have whilst completing your course. You can be assured that you will receive unlimited support for your home study course, so there is no need to struggle or feel isolated during your studies.

Assessment

You must successfully complete a series of activities and assessments. Once all assessments and activities have been completed satisfactorily, you will then be awarded your certificate.  The good news is, there is no final exam.