Setting up as a childminder
I want to say a huge thank you to Marilyn for helping me achieve this qualification!
At one point I wondered how I was going to manage to complete my work trying to balance family life,
a job and the workload. But Marilyn has been more than helpful and has really gone out of her way to
help me achieve this! I found laser to be a great tool as well, it makes life so much easier being able
to do work online. I am so happy to have this qualification under my belt and it will help me immensely
as I go into a new job, setting up as a childminder. Thank you!
Emma
Level 3 through NECT
Firstly I would like to say what a supportive assessor I had – Claire Starkey The work was always clearly set out,
and what was expected. I found the course was straight forward to follow as everything was set out accessibly.
If I needed help I had instant access also. The course was specifically ideal for me as I was not able to attend college.
With laser I could do my work to fit around me and my family. Overall my whole experience has been a fantastic one.
I cant wait now to complete my level 3 through NECT. It has given me the confidence to do something I didn't think
it was going to be possible after staying at home to raise my 2 children. Thank you!
Kayleigh Hornsby
Laser site so easy to use
I just want to say thank you so much for helping me through my level 3 course. The support and the helpful comments
that I got really did help me to continue on and keep pushing through the work even though sometimes it was hard.
I found the laser site so easy to use when I got use to it and the activities that I did to complete the modules,
some were hard (so that I had to think harder) but others I found really straight forward to understand and complete.
Again just want to say,Claire, you were so much help and you have given me the support I needed and it helped so much.
Thank you
Hannah Jolly
I would recommend NECT to anyone
I want to say thank you to Claire for being an amazing tutor, you have helped me throughout my learning.
I was nervous about starting this course because I have trained in college for 2 years prior so I was very
used to classroom based learning and was worried i wouldn't be able to complete my course. After uploading
my first assignment and receiving lovely feedback from Claire I was ready to tackle this course.
I have a small child who has a number of hospital appointment so for me to actually complete this course in
9 months is a great achievement and I really don't think i could have done it without the support of Claire.
I would recommend NECT to anyone who is wanting to study childcare.
Thank you NECT and Claire you are fantastic.
Samantha Ramsay
Level 2 supporting teaching
Hi my name is Kaley and I am a busy mother of two children aged 6 and 3years old! I had completed my
level 2 supporting teaching and learning in schools and worked as the lead EYFS playworker at an after
school club. Although I loved the job I felt I could progress more and build a career in child care. As I
still needed to work and the cost of college I needed a study option that would suit me. I enrolled to do
my level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with North East Child Care Training and have never looked back. I
started off well and found laser very easy to use, Marilyn was great support also. I started working for
a large private nursery group in January this year within the baby room and I love it, although it can
be challenging at times. Thank you to Marilyn and everyone at NECT.
Kaley Gallon- Nursery Nurse- Kids First Completed July 12
Childminder for 18 months
Hi, my name is Ann, I've been a childminder for 18 months, and wish I'd started sooner. I love my job, it's
never the same two days running!! After completing my level 2 earlier this year, I decided it would be a great
idea to do level 3, I love using Laser, its so easy to be able to complete little bits when you have the time.
Special thanks to my lovely assessor Claire Starkey, you have been great!!
NECT LASER seemed too good to be true
Hi, my name is Clair, I have been childminding for just over a year now and absolutely love my job. Having 2
young children of my own this seems to have fit in great and is so rewarding. I wanted to further my qualifications
in childcare, although going back to college just wasn't possible with job and family commitments. NECT LASER
seemed too good to be true, working in the comfort of my own home at my own pace. Once I had completed my first
work plan, I found my feet and knew where I was going from here. I quickly got on with my assignments in my spare
time and managed to get quite a lot done in a short space of time. I think watching the percentage go up was a
good motivator to get to 100%. I would like to thank Marilyn for all of your help .
Claire Oliver Childminder- York Completed Aug 12
Childminder York
Like everyone else, I worried I wouldn't have time to do this course as well as work and look after my own family.
But once I started and got used to the laser site I found it useful to be able to sign on and work whenever I had
free time. Seeing the percentage rise was a great incentive. Thanks to Marilyn for responding to my emails
promptly and marking work quickly - it kept me motivated. Would definitely recommend this method of studying.
Sharon Clark- Childminder York Competed Aug 12
Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Hi my name is Lindsey Mcfadden and I have recently passed my level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship for the Children
and Young Peoples Workforce., I am very happy to say that I have found the laser very easy and accessable to use
and have had much guidance and support from my tutor, Marilyn , so I would like to say a big thank u. and that
my experience using the system has been very positive. I am now very happy that i am level 3 qualified and will
hopefully go onto do my level 4 in the future. Thank u to all that have helped and supported me.
Lindsey McFadden- Private Nursery Whitley Bay Completed July 12
Completed my CYPW Level 2
My name is Heather, I completed my CYPW Level 2 in College at Tynemet and wanted to continue onto Level 3
but I could not fit the college hours around my job and children. I am so pleased I came across this course online,
its ideal for anyone needing to juggle work, kids and learning. The process ran smoothly from start to finish and I
would recommend this to anyone. My assessor Claire Starkey was fab, my work was marked very quickly, the system was
easy to use and work plans were easy to follow and understand. Thank You so much to everyone involved in getting
me started on the course and a huge Thank You to Claire for your help and support and getting me through this
course. I am so pleased. Thank You.
Heather Guthrie- Volunteer Surestart- North Tyneside Completed Oct 12
Enjoyed my level 2
I really enjoyed my level 2 with North East Childcare Training. My tutor Claire Starkey was always there to help
and Suzanne from Squiggles N Giggles CIC and Carol from Surestart also helped a lot especially with reassurance.
I was terrified I would not be able to pass this course as I hadn’t done an assessed qualification in a while.
However there was nothing to be scared of as everyone was always very encouraging and supportive. I am really
happy to have completed the course as obviously it means a lot to me and I am very grateful to everyone for giving
me the opportunity to study with them and for their advice.
Melanie Duncan- Volunteer Walkergate Surestart Completed Oct 12
Became a childminder
Can't believe I have finished my level 2 already! I have only recently became a childminder and this course has
fitted in with my work as i am able to do it at my own pace. Claire Starkey my assessor has always been there for me,
no matter what the question was, she answered straight away. Want to say a big thank you to Claire for all your help.
Barbara Bullock, Gateshead Completed Oct 12
Registered Childminder
Hi, I am a mum to 6 children and I have been a registered Childminder for about 18mths now and really enjoying it.
When I first started the course I did worry I wouldn’t meet the targets. It did take a little while to get used to
the laser system but after a while found it incredibly easy. Seeing the percentage increase was also a great motivation.
I am looking forward to starting my level 3 which I hope will be soon. Belinda Outhwaite Level 2 Cert CYPW Completed Feb 2012
Child Minding
I have been Child Minding for 18 months and its great being able to work from home. When I found out about the NVQ
I really want to do this as I thought it would give me lots of useful information and ideas that I could use in my
Child Minding business. At first I was a bit worried about the amount of work that would be involved but using laser
has been great. I’ve been able to fit it in around work and looking after my own son. I did feel like I was on a bit
of a mission to get the work done especially towards the end. I was told seeing the percentage bar move up would get a
bit addictive and it really did. Thanks to Claire for all her help and answering my many, many emails so quickly.
I'm not sure what the future holds but I know I would like to do the level 4 and I'll always want to work with children, as
it's such a rewarding job. Melissa Raynor Level 3 Diploma CYPW Completed Feb 2012
NVQ qualifications
My name is Margaret Berry. I am registered childminder in South Shields. I have been childminding for nearly 22 years.
I was never really sure about doing the NVQ but once I got started I found that I really enjoyed the work.
I am hoping to go on to do the level 3 in the near future. I am also doing my level 2 in British Sign Language
as I care for a deaf boy. So hopefully with the NVQ qualifications and the BSL I would love to work with deaf
children or young adults, once I found my way around the laser I felt very confident in doing the work. My assessor
Claire Starkey at every step of the way gave me fantastic support. Margaret Berry Level 2 Cert Completed Feb 2012
Northeast Childcare Training
Hi my name is Alison and I have been working as a childminder for 7 years now, when I first started I always had
intentions of doing more but with work commitments I never furthered my training and for the last 7 years have just
plodded through, when I heard the Level 3 was going to be needed sometime soon, I started to put my name forward
for the level 3, starting in October with northeast childcare training I don’t know why I haven’t done it sooner as
it was so worthwhile, the laser system was so easy to use and seeing my % going up spurred me to keep going, Id even
say it became addictive. I would love to do the level 4 if the opportunity ever comes up. Claire was a fantastic
assessor and was there at the drop of a hat if needed. Alison Fawkes Level 3 Diploma CYPW Completed Feb 2012
Laser Childcare training
Hi my name is Donna Stenton; I am a Registered Child minder and have been for 5 years. When I found that the
level 3 was available to do on laser I wasn’t sure how it would fit in with how busy I can sometimes be but I
thought that I would give it go. I honesty found it fit in superbly doing what I could when I could and being
able to see results it pushed me on. I am over the moon that I have completed the level three; I’m now looking
forward to see what the future holds. Great support was given as and when needed by my assessor.
When I am made aware that level 4 is in place, I guarantee to have my name down x. Donna Stenton Level 3 Diploma CYPW Completed Feb 2012
I love childminding
I have been a registered childminder for about 18months now and love it!
I wanted to do the Level 3 qualification because although its going to become compulsory at some point, as I'm still
fairly new to the job I thought the training and experience would be very valuable to me and it has been!! It also
widens my opportunities for the future.
I was really quite worried about how I'd fit in all of the work but I've been pleasantly surprised at how easily
I managed to fit it in, and seeing the percentage rise certainly gave me a boost to keep going. Having lots of support
from a lovely assessor whenever I needed it too was a great help.
As I love childminding I can see me doing this for quite a few more years yet but from doing this qualification
its great to know I have the opportunity to do something new if I choose to.
Thank you. Nicola George Level 3 Diploma CYPW Completed Feb 2012
Work with Children
A Massive thank you Marilyn, for your help!!!!! It has been a fantastic experience doing this course. I hope I will
be able to do level 4 soon, as I think I became addicted to LASER now
I am really over the moon. I’m really happy I’ve enrolled. It always has been my dream to do this course, but never
had time to do it due to my work and family life- but this is something that suits me and my time as I can do it when
I’ve got free time. It’s easy to run. Tutors are very helpful, friendly, and flexible to arrange observation meetings.
Course work is being checked and commented very quickly. Course I’ve enrolled is really interesting all lessons give
loads of new valuable information. I hope North East Childcare Training will soon be doing Level 4 as I would loved
to enrol into the next level with such an interesting learning programme which brings me loads of advantage into my
work with children. Agnieszka Czekajlo
Ofsted registered childminder
My name is Lisa Rayner; I have been an Ofsted registered childminder for 3 years now and really enjoy my job.
I live with my husband and son, and currently child mind 5 boys. I decided to apply for the NVQ level 3, as it would
benefit my job and me. At first I found it really challenging but once I got into a routine of study I enjoyed the
challenge. I hope to continue childminding in the future. Lisa Rayner Level 3 Diploma CYPW Completed Feb 2012
Level 3 Diploma CYPW
Hi my name is Alison Harbinson I have been a child minder for 16 months When I heard that the level 3 was going
to be available for me to do I thought that I would have a go. I wanted to better myself and prove that I could do
this. I was apprehensive at first but after completing a couple of the units it got easier for me. I am over the
moon that I have completed the level three. I am now looking forward to see what the future holds for me. Alison Harbinson
Completed Jan 2012
Childminding through the day
Being a busy mum of 2 and Childminding through the day being able to do this course in my spare time and at home
has made it easy! With fantastic support to help along the way I would recommend it to anyone. Gemma Robson Level 3 Diploma CYPW
Completed Feb 2012
Work from Home
I am able to work at my own pace within the comfort of my own home, around my working hours as a childminder
enabling me to fit my NVQ learning into my own daily routines. Catherine Thompson Level 3 Diploma CYPW Completed Oct 2011
Level 3 Diploma CYPW
I've found laser really easy to use and accessible, its great to be able to learn in such a flexible way, to have
such instant feedback about my progress and to have a quick way to communicate with my assessor when I need that extra bit of help.
Catherine Hole Completed Jan 2012
Level 3 Diploma CYPW
Sometimes I was astounded at how quick my work was marked and that made my percentage go up which in turn made me feel good.
Whatever I did not understand about the laser at the beginning of the diploma, I would email Claire and she would answer my
queries and I was always able to understand after her guidance. This also applied to any units/criteria I was struggling with.
Amanda Carr Brown Completed Sept 2011