Do you agree that Government should reinstate Functional Skills as an alternative to GCSE English and Maths?
Many people are arguing that Government should reinstate functional skills as an alternative to GCSE’s for English and Maths for level 3 practitioners. Back in 2014 government made the decision that all level 3 Early Years Educators must have a grade C or above in English and Maths to count in ratios. Before the decision was made functional skills was accepted by employees as an equivalent.
The change in requirement has led to concerns in recruitment, leaving many nurseries struggling to recruit new employees. The recruitment crisis has had an impact on many childcare providers.
Would the move in reinstating functional skills as an alternative to GCSE’s for English and Maths be a good move or not?
Finding quality practitioners is a high priority for childcare providers and the requirement for having GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths is causing a barrier. Reinstating functional skills as an equivalent will enable childcare providers to employee qualified practitioners who do not have grade GCSE C or above in English and Maths.
In order to provide high-quality teaching and learning should practitioners have GCSE’s grade C or above in English and Maths as well as a childcare qualification?. By being consistent across the sector, this would hopefully see an improvement in educational standards, creating a better-qualified workforce.