CACHE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN CHILD CARE & EDUCATION
This qualification provides a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills, allowing you to work unsupervised, or to supervise other staff. The qualification provides for career development both at home and abroad.
Course provider: FE colleges, sixth form colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: Candidates must be 16 years and above.
Duration: Two years full time, although some colleges now offer it part time over a longer period.
Methods of study: Half the course is devoted to practical work undertaken in a variety of placements.
Course content: 12 modules cover observation and assessment, work with young children, foundations to caring, the developing child, health and community care, play, curriculum and early learning, work with babies in the first year of life and the provision of services and the protection of children.
Career moves: With this award, career opportunities range from working with children in families to a variety of partnerships with other health and education professionals.
CACHE LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN CHILDMINDING PRACTICE
This award has been developed jointly with the National Childminding Association (NCMA). It indicates a serious approach to childminding and helps to develop skills, professionalism and confidence.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: You should be 16 or above and caring for other people's children in a home-based setting.
Duration: Course sessions total 132 hours.
Methods of study: Tutorials and work-based learning. A 'unit' certificate of achievement and progress is awarded for each step towards the final qualification.
Course content: Unit one introduces childminding practice for childminders as they register; unit two develops childminding practice; unit three extends childminding practice.
Career moves: Helps childminders prepare for NVQ assessment. If all three units are completed, candidates are ready to tackle the NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education or the CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People.
CACHE LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Created for those who have already achieved a level 3 qualification but wish to develop, update or extend their knowledge in a chosen field - such as supporting health professionals or working with babies.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: CACHE recommends that you have an existing early years qualification or a minimum of two years' practical experience.
Duration: The course takes 180 hours to complete. Units can be taken in any order and at any time.
Methods of study: One externally marked assignment for unit one; the remaining units are internally assessed.
Course content: Three units cover individual professional development, advanced practice in working with babies and designing programmes for early learning.
Career moves: Progression to NVQ Level 4 Early Years Care and Education.
The individual units that CACHE offers are as follows, but it is likely that most centres will only offer a selection of these.
Mandatory unit
Unit 1 Individual professional development
Option units
Unit 2 Advanced practice in working with babies
Unit 3 Designing programmes for early learning
Unit 4 Delivering and assessing programmes for early learning
Unit 5 Developing children's mathematical skills
Unit 6 Developing children's language and literacy skills
Unit 7 Management of early years settings
Unit 8 Management of early years practice
Unit 9 Moving into out-of-school provision
Unit 10 Protecting children
Unit 11 Registration and inspection under the Children Act
Unit 12 Influences on the behaviour of children and young people birth to15 years
Unit 13 Skills and strategies for working with children and young people birth to15 years
Unit 14 Supporting families in daily living
Unit 15 Supporting families in distress
Unit 16 Supporting children and families in toy libraries
Unit 17 Supporting health professionals
Unit 18 Working with children with special needs
Unit 19 Delivering skills for life: the national strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills (Step into Learning).
Unit 20 Working with children under three.
CACHE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN PRE-SCHOOL PRACTICE
Developed in association with the Pre-School Learning Alliance, this course meets the challenges of leadership - from planning a varied learning programme, to ensuring that children learn through playing and talking.
Course provider: FE colleges and distance learning through the National Extension College.
Entry qualifications: Candidates must be over 18 years old and already working with children.
Duration: Course sessions total 240 hours.
Methods of study: There are four units of study and it is recommended that candidates work for at least 150 hours in an early years setting while studying.
Course content: Modules cover best practice care and education.
Career moves: Progression to pre-school and playgroup leader.
CACHE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN EARLY YEARS PRACTICE (DEYP)
Course provider: Schools, FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: Candidates must be over 14 years of age, and able to work at an appropriate level. There is a minimum age of 18 years for supervisory level posts in the early years sector.
Duration: 360 recommended guided learning hours.
Methods of study: One multiple-choice question paper and seven internally assessed units.
Course content: Provides the knowledge for candidates to work in an unsupervised role competently, safely and effectively with children aged nought to seven years 11 months.
Career moves: CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People; CACHE Level 4 Certificate in Managing Quality Standards in Children's Services (CMQS); NVQ Level 4 Early Years Care and Education (you must be managing a setting or working as an advanced practitioner before undertaking this qualification).
CACHE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN EARLY YEARS CARE AND EDUCATION (WELSH MEDIUM)
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: There are no formal entry qualifications, but you must be at least 16 years of age.
Duration: Approximately 210 hours.
Methods of study: One externally marked assignment and three internally marked assignments.
Course content: You will learn how to plan, manage and deliver a varied programme of activities that enhance the learning potential of the children in your care within the Welsh or bi-lingual setting.
Career moves: Progression to other awards, eg CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People or NVQ 4 Early Years Child Care and Education. You can apply for positions such as a Cylch Meithrin leader or similar position.
CACHE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN PLAYGROUP PRACTICE IN WALES
A joint initiative with the Wales Pre-School Playgroups Association (Wales PPA). It aids good practice and high standards within pre-school provision, supports the heritage and culture of Wales, the Curriculum Cymreig and children's pre-school learning through play.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: Candidates must be at least 16 years old.
Duration: 360 hours total: 180 teaching and 180 placement.
Methods of study: Each of the course's three units consists of 60 hours' guided study plus 60 hours in a placement setting.
Course content: Child development, the early years curriculum, the environment and management of a group setting.
Career moves: Progression to the CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People. It also provides the underpinning knowledge and understanding for several NVQ units within the NVQ Level 3 in Early Years and Education or a playgroup leader or similar post.
CACHE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN PLAYWORK
A joint initiative with the National Centre for Playwork Education, South West, this award provides the skills needed for the role of a senior playworker.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: Suitable for experienced playworkers and those who have already undertaken a related study course at level 2 and have a minimum of 50 hours' experience in a playwork setting.
Duration: 180 hours of guided learning plus 60 hours placement.
Methods of study: Tutorial and home-based study.
Course content: Three units are separately assessed and certified: working with children, children's play and the playwork environment, managing the playwork provision.
Career moves: Leads to higher qualifications such as NVQ Level 4 Early Years Care and Education and Playwork, or a Foundation Degree/Degree in Playwork, or a career as a senior playworker.
CACHE LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN IMPLEMENTING THE HIGH/SCOPE APPROACH
A joint initiative with High/Scope UK, this award gives candidates an in-depth knowledge of the principles and understanding of the High/Scope approach.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: You must be over 18 years of age and hold a relevant level 3 qualification; early years practitioners and those from other backgrounds who are now working in a High/Scope setting or wish to adopt the approach.
Duration: Approximately 90 hours.
Methods of study: One externally assessed assignment, one practical assessment.
Course content: Reflects the High/Scope approach to supporting children's learning through play and active learning. Provides professional updating in key areas of practice. In order to complete the assessments, candidates will need to be either working (paid or voluntary) or in a supervised placement. The amount of time required by candidates in direct work with children in a High/Scope setting will vary according to the individual and is therefore not specified.
Career moves: CACHE NVQ Level 3 in Early Years, Playwork or Teaching Assistants. Specialist High/Scope roles. Supervisory job roles such as nursery supervisor, pre-school leader or creche leader.
CACHE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN SUPPORTING PLAYWORK PRACTICE
A technical certificate for the Advanced Modern Apprenticeships.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: Candidates should be aged 16 or over. You should be able to demonstrate that you can operate at an appropriate level, for example, possess the equivalent of all the key skills at level 2 (or be able to achieve them during the programme). As this award is designed around work experience you should have access to a playwork setting.
Duration: Approximately 360 hours.
Methods of study: One externally assessed assignment, five internally assessed assignments.
Course content: How to work in a supervisory role with children aged from four to 16, competently, safely and effectively. Provides wider knowledge to enhance best practice and promote personal and transferable skills. This award has been approved as a technical certificate for the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship.
Career moves: The curriculum and assessed material provide the knowledge, understanding and skills for the NVQ Level 3 Playwork. Therefore, if the award is achieved alongside the NVQ, you will be in a position to progress to a Foundation Degree or other related level 4 qualification as appropriate. Alternatively, achievement of individual units or the award alone will provide candidates with progression to full level 3 or level 4 qualifications and routes to lifelong learning.
CACHE LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTS (CTA3)
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: You must be at least 16 years of age with GCSE or equivalent at C grade or above, or have sufficient experience.
Duration: Approximately 12 teaching hours, and at least 120 hours in a relevant placement.
Methods of study: One unit is an externally marked assignment and one unit is internally marked.
Course content: You will learn about the role of the teaching assistant in the school, how to support pupils with particular learning needs and/or teaching and learning.
Career moves: CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People. CTA3 is equivalent to CACHE NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants.
CACHE LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN PROMOTING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Designed in partnership with the National Pyramid Trust and reflects its approach.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: You must be over 18, with either a level 2 qualification or considerable early years experience.
Duration: Approximately 90 hours.
Methods of study: One externally assessed assignment, and two internally assessed assignments. Candidates are expected to be in related employment. If this is not the case, the study centre should provide an appropriate placement.
Course content: To identify, understand and aid children's social and emotional development. Provides professional development for teaching assistants, playworkers, midday supervisors, nursery nurses and others working within schools.
Career moves: Progression to the CACHE NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education; or the CACHE NVQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant; CACHE NVQ Level 3 in Playwork; CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People (CPD); hospital play areas, playwork provision. Where the award supports an existing level 3 qualification the candidate may move on to supervisor/leader positions.
EDEXCEL
EDEXCEL LEVEL 3 NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN EARLY YEARS
Equips practitioners to work in a variety of pre-school and nursery settings.
Course provider: FE colleges.
Entry qualifications: Must have access to work experience in a professional childcare setting.
Duration: 720 guided learning hours and 800 hours professional placement.
Methods of study: Work-based and written assignments.
Course content: Core units cover equality, diversity and rights in early years work, communication and early years skills, safety and protection of children, learning in early years.
Career moves: Successful candidates have a licence to practice and can progress to higher education such as an early years degree or a BTEC Higher National.
EDEXCEL LEVEL 3 BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN EARLY YEARS
As well as learning about the employment area they have chosen, candidates develop skills to start their career.
Course provider: FE and technical colleges
Entry qualifications: Appropriate work experience or GCSEs or vocational qualifications.
Duration: 1,080 guided learning hours and 800 hours' placement in an early years setting.
Methods of study: Involves projects and assignments which are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.
Course content: Core units include researching early years care and education, human growth and development, communication and interpersonal skills and child health. There are also specialist units.
Career moves: Progress to higher education, eg a BTEC Higher National Diploma or Certificate.
EDEXCEL LEVEL 3 BTEC NATIONAL AWARD IN EARLY YEARS
Approved as a technical certificate for the Early Years Care and Education Advanced Modern Apprenticeship framework. It forms part of the BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Early Years but can be delivered as a standalone course.
Course provider: FE and technical colleges
Entry qualifications: Level 2 qualifications or related work experience.
Duration: 360 guided learning hours.
Methods of study: Written assignments.
Course content: Core units include equality, diversity and rights in early years work, communication and interpersonal skills, safety and protection of children, learning in the early years.
Career moves: Progression to a level 4 qualification.
EDEXCEL LEVEL 3 BTEC CERTIFICATE FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Provides underpinning knowledge and practical application for experienced teaching assistants who have a wide range of responsibilities.
Course provider: FE colleges.
Entry qualifications: Prior experience, NVQ Level 2 or Edexcel Level 2 BTEC Certificate for Teaching Assistants.
Duration: 180 guided learning hours. No work placement hours are specified, but work placement is necessary to be able to undertake this qualification.
Methods of study: Work-based and written work.
Course content: Units cover the reflective practitioner, supporting development, supporting the teacher, supporting bilingual learners and supporting literacy and numeracy.
Career moves: Provides a route to enhanced employment or further study at level 3 or 4 such as the BTEC National Diploma in Early Years or the BTEC Higher National in Advanced Practice in work with children and families.
* More information including course fees at www.edexcel.org.uk or on 0207 190 4322. Contact local LSC for funding details.
APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning)
APEL - LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN WORK WITH CHILDREN
Awarded by CACHE, City & Guilds, NOCN, Edexcel
This can be an ideal choice for early years and playworkers who wish to have a qualification that recognises their working practice and experience.
Course provider: Assessment centres.
Entry qualifications: Must be over 25 years and have relevant work experience of more than five years.
Duration: 12 weeks.
Methods of study: Work-based and one written assignment.
Course content: Two units: unit one promotes good quality provision in work with children. Unit two requires candidates to reflect on practice in their work with children. Students must explain: how their setting ensures children's health and safety; how it ensures children's protection; what methods are used to identify children's needs; what methods they have used to plan, monitor and evaluate provision for an individual child while meeting the needs of the group; how they ensure inclusive practice and promote equality and reflect on how their practice engages with families.
Career moves: If you are working in an appropriate job role you may be able to undertake the CACHE Level 4 NVQ in Early Years Care and Education.
* More information at:
www.cache.org.uk
www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
www.nocn.org.uk
www.edexcel.org.uk
NVQ level 3
NVQ LEVEL 3 IN EARLY YEARS CARE AND EDUCATION
Awarded by City & Guilds, CACHE, Edexcel, The Open University
Level 3 is for those who already have the NVQ level 2 or have significant experience in an early years setting. For this the candidate needs to be skilled in a wider range of the more complex tasks and demonstrate the ability to supervise others.
Course provider: FE colleges and assessment centres.
Entry qualifications: Students have to be in a workplace. Those between the ages of 16 and 24 can include the NVQ as part of a modern apprenticeship.
Duration: Between 12 and months.
Methods of study: Practical and written work.
Course content: 11 mandatory units have to be covered including: providing for children's physical needs, promoting the physical development of children, promoting children's social and emotional development, providing a framework for the management of behaviour. Optional units include care of babies and children with special needs.
Career moves: Candidates can enhance job prospects and progress to level 4 qualifications, CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People, NVQ Level 4 Early Years Care and Education.
NVQ LEVEL 3 IN PLAYWORK
Awarded by CACHE, City & Guilds and Exedcel
This award enables those who have completed a level 2 qualification to become a supervisor or manager in a playwork setting.
Course provider: Colleges and assessment centres nationwide.
Entry qualifications: Students need to be in a workplace.
Duration: 12 months.
Methods of study: Work-based.
Course content: Students have to demonstrate competence in a workplace, covering protection of children, positive relationships in the play environment, administering provision and improving organisational performance and children's development.
Career moves: A step towards management in playwork. NVQ Level 4 Early Years Care and Education.
NVQ LEVEL 3 TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Awarded by CACHE and Edexcel
This is a qualification for experienced teaching assistants who have a wide range of responsibilities.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: No formal entry qualifications but significant experience within primary, secondary or special schools.
Duration: Candidates proceed at their own pace. Completion usually takes approximately 12 to 18 months.
Methods of study: Work-based learning.
Course content: Mandatory units include: contributing to the management of pupil behaviour, establishing and maintaining relationships with individual pupils and a group, supporting pupils during learning activities, reviewing and developing your own professional practice.
Career moves: CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People.
NVQ LEVEL 3 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE)
Awarded by CACHE
This is a qualification for social care staff and foster carers in level 3 job roles, working in public, private and voluntary sectors.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: No formal qualifications required but significant experience desirable.
Duration: The award must be completed within the registration period, which your chosen centre will advise you on before registration.
Methods of study: An assessor will visit you in your workplace to assess your practical work. You will also need to submit a portfolio of evidence to show your knowledge and understanding of the award.
Course content: The areas that you can focus on could include: how to support others caring for babies; how to support families in difficult times; how to assist young people to progress into adulthood; how to provide a safe and secure home for children and young people.
Career moves: This award will enhance your skills, and assist you in pursuing your career in health and social care with children and young people.
* For more information see www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
www.cache.org.uk
www.edexcel.org.uk
www.ou.org.uk
