ADCE (Advanced Diploma in Childcare Education)
This is an advanced course dealing with special educational needs and with appraisal and training methods of childcare and education. People who have an ADCE diploma are qualified to do almost any job in childcare. The course is only open to experienced child carers.

BTEC (Business and Technical Education Council Nursery Nursing Diploma)
Similar two year course to the NNEB but with a bigger emphasis on the academic, as there is a minimum academic acceptance level. The focus is on developing skills for teaching, nursing, social work and childcare. It is therefore considered to be a higher qualification than the NNEB.

CACHE (Certificate in Childcare)
The course involves 14 different modules covering both theory and practical areas of childcare. Nannies who have a CACHE certificate are qualified to start their career in childcare and begin working with children.

NAMCW (National Association of Maternal and Child Welfare)
A two year Diploma course generally aimed at 16-19 year olds which is now considered to be on a par with an NNEB. It covers ages 0- teenagers. The first year students gain a childcare certificate and in the second year a Diploma.

NNEB (National Nursery Examination Board)
A comprehensive and demanding full-time two year course covering all aspects of childcare from the ages 0-7 years and includes significant (40%) practical work experience.
The theory includes:
health
nursing a sick child
safety
psychology
nutrition
physical and social development
language progress and
learning through play.
Additional modules can also be taken.

NVQ levels 2 &3 (National Vocational Qualification) in Early Care and Education
A government initiative which allows people to gain a qualification whilst being assessed in their work place. Students have to complete 15 modules and can take up to two years to complete. The Level 3 of NVQ is equivalent to the NNEB.

Montessori Diploma
The Montessori Method is an internationally renowned qualification. Courses follow the complex philosophy of the Italian Dr. Maria Montessori who believed that you should direct children's natural activities so that they can learn more spontaneously and at their own pace.

Bachelor of Education
Formal teacher qualification to enable the teacher to work in a class room setting. Training usually lasts 3-4 years and involves both theoretical knowledge and placements in nurseries, day cares or schools.