CACHE
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 1 introduces childminding practice for people as they register; unit 2 develops childminding practice; unit 3 extends childminding practice.
Career moves: Helps childminders prepare for NVQ assessment. If all three units are completed, candidates are ready to tackle the level 3 NVQ 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 1, 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.
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 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: Total of 240 hours.
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 and approximately 120 hours of home study.
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
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: 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 Advance 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 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, mid-day 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), CACHE Advanced Diploma in Child Care and Education (ADCE), hospital play areas, playwork provision. Where the award supports an existing level 3 qualification the candidate may move on to supervisor/leader positions.
CACHE Advanced Diploma in Child Care and Education (ADCE)
This diploma is for experienced practitioners who want to work towards a level 4 qualification.
Course provider: FE colleges and training providers.
Entry qualifications: CACHE level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education or equivalent.
Duration: Approximately 360 hours for the full award.
Methods of study: Assignments and a dissertation. The knowledge within each module should be related to on-going practical work. Therefore, all candidates must either be in employment or have regular access to appropriate work placements.
Course content: You will learn how to be a reflective practitioner and develop specialist knowledge in your chosen subject areas, for example, children with special needs, management and protecting children.
Career moves: Higher level qualifications. For example, the NVQ level 4 Early Years Care and Education.
* For more information including course fees at: www.cache.org.uk. Contact your local LSC for funding details.
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.
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' professional placement.
Methods of study: Involves projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.
Course content: Core units cover researching early years care and education and child health. There are also specialist units.
Career moves: Equips candidates to enter a career in childcare or go on to study for a BTEC Higher National.
EdExcel Level 3 BTEC National Award in Early Years
Approved as a technical certificate for the Early Years Care and Education AMA 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 3 qualification.
EdExcel level 3 BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Early Years This award meets all the requirements for qualified practitioner status.
Course provider: FE and technical colleges Entry qualifications: Related work experience, vocational qualifications or GCSEs.
Duration: 720 guided learning hours and 800 hours' professional placement.
Methods of study: Written assignments and work-based learning.
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, childcare practice, human growth and development, researching early years and education.
Career moves: Provides a route to higher education.
* More information including course fees at www.edexcel.org.uk or on 0207 1904322. 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: There are 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 have to explain the following: how their setting ensures children's health and safety; how the setting ensures children's protection; explain methods used to identify children's needs within their setting; identify methods they have used to plan, monitor and evaluate provision for an individual child while meeting the needs of the group; explain 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 C&G, 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 12-18 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, C&G 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
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: contribute to the management of pupil behaviour, establishing and maintaining relationships with individual pupils and a group, supporting pupils during learning activities, review and develop your own professional practice.
Career moves: CACHE level 3 Certificate in Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People.
* For more information see left.
