Who should enrol on NCMA Quality First?

NCMA Quality First is suitable for registered childminders who have some experience of childminding – if you are a new childminder, you may want to wait until you are settled in to your new job and have a range of experience before you start NCMA Quality First.

It is not necessary to have been on any specific training course before you enrol on NCMA Quality First, but you will probably find that you can make better progress with the scheme if you have already completed training to the level of the first two units of the Certificate in Childminding Practice (ICP and DCP) or similar courses.

Please note that accredited childminders on Children come first childminding networks will continue to be the only childminding service providers who can access early years education funding.

NCMA Quality First is awarded at three different levels. When you have had a chance to consider the materials, you can decide for yourself whether you feel ready to submit the materials for Level 1, 2 or 3. To achieve Level 3, you will probably have needed to have completed training at the level of ECP or have an Early Years Care and Education Level 3 NVQ.