Early Years & Care - Pathways Diploma

Early Years & Care - Pathways Diploma

Course ID:
PC86009

Academy:
Health, Social Care & Early Years

Introduction:
This is an Entry Level course. It is the first step on a `pathway` to a career in the child care sector. You will learn through a variety of workshops where you will develop practical skills. During the year you may take part in a variety of enrichment activities in areas including sport, hair and beauty, music, drama and media.

Study Mode & Location:
This one year course will take place at Preston College, Fulwood Campus, St Vincent`s Road, Preston, PR2 8UR.

Course Content:
This course is suitable for a wide range of learners who are interested in gaining a foundation in early years and care. Some of the topics you will study on this course are:

• learning how to care for the young and elderly
• skills for work
• creative crafts.

You will also study the core subjects of Maths, English and IT.

Assessment:
You will be assessed through practical work, through some assignments and the building of portfolios. If successful, at the end of the course you will be awarded a CACHE Entry Level Certificate in Preparation for Child Care and a BTEC Entry Level Certificate in Skills for Working Life.

Careers & Progression Opportunities:
Success on this course allows progression to Foundation Level courses such as the CACHE Foundation Certificate Award in Caring for Children (CFCC) or the BTEC Introductory Diploma in Health & Social Care. It will also improve your skills and help you find employment.

How To Apply
To apply for a course at Preston College you will need to complete and return a College application form. Application Forms are available in our school leaver prospectuses or we can send one out to you.

Work Out Your Point Score
You will need to let us know on your application form your predicted exam grades and your point score. To work out your point score, you must use the grades that you get for GCSE Maths and English Language, and then your next best 5 grades. At Preston College, the level of course you start on will depend upon your point score. Your grades are worth the following points:

GCSE Grades

• A* = 8 points
• A = 7 points
• B = 6 points
• C = 5 points
• D = 4 points
• E = 3 points
• F = 2 points
• G = 1 point

(GCSE short courses are worth half the score of a full GCSE. Applied GCSEs are equivalent to two single GCSEs, eg an Applied GCSE at Grade C is worth 10 GCSE points).

GNVQ Foundation Part 1 (Equivalent to two GCSEs)

• Distinction = 8 points
• Merit = 6 points
• Pass = 4 points

GNVQ Intermediate Part 1 (Equivalent to two GCSEs)

• Distinction = 14 points
• Merit = 12 points
• Pass = 10 points

Full GNVQ Intermediate (Equivalent to four GCSEs)

• Distinction = 28 points
• Merit = 24 points
• Pass = 20 points

NVQs
NVQ Level 1 = 8 points. (NVQ Level 1 courses are equivalent to two GCSEs at Grade D and guarantee progression to NVQ Level 2 courses in the same subject area).

Certificates of Achievement
Up to 22 points will be awarded to students with Certificates of Achievement, for example AQA units, Compact 2000 and NPRA units. The Schools` Recruitment Team will inform you if you qualify.