Celebrations were underway at the Leek Campus, as eight students became the first to complete a specialised work-based childcare and education qualification.
The Level 4 Early Years Advanced Practitioner course, launched in September 2016, which specialises in qualifying students as physical and nutritional needs co-ordinators (PANCO). It enables students to influence physical and nutritional policy changes to make better outcomes for children.
Course leader Larissa Lees said: “The government has indicated that it is looking into all early years settings employing a PANCO, so having this qualification is a real asset for these students who all work in childcare settings in the local area.”
Student Kachina Allsop who works at Serpentine Nursery in Buxton said: “The course has been really helpful and given me a specialism that not many other people currently have, we have implemented changes to our menus to ensure children are getting the right nutritional value from food.”
The L4 course involves students attending college one night a week between September and April, with the aim to apply what they have learnt to their place of work. Student Hannah Naden has used the qualification to help launch her own childminding business. After completing her Level 3 Early Years qualification in 2016 at the College’s Buxton campus, Hannah progressed onto the L4 PANCO qualification and now has a fully-booked childminding business that is Ofsted registered. Hannah said: “Parents like the fact I have this specialist knowledge and their children see the benefit”.
Local early years employers, Reach for the Starts and Laura’s Little Stars were there to help the College launch the Childcare & Education Employer Network, where they were updated about reforms to Apprenticeships and updates from the sector.
Anyone interested in applying for the PANCO qualification, or employers interested in joining the Childcare & Education Employer Network, click here or alternatively call 0800 074 0099
