Full Time Childcare and Education Level 3 CACHE

Childcare and Education Level 3 CACHE
The CACHE L3 Diploma looks at employment opportunities in Early Years and covers a variety of areas such as childcare, child health and protection and human growth and development. The course is designed to suit students wishing to progress onto Higher Education or careers in the Early Years sector.

What is the aim of the course?

This two year course will enable you to learn about children at different stages in their growth and development, how to care for and educate them and how to work with parents, carers and other professionals. You will find out about the way early years care organisations operate, the rules and regulations affecting child care and career opportunities in this sector.

Working with children in nurseries and similar settings is an essential work experience part of the course. This gives you the hands on skills needed when working with children in addition to the theoretical knowledge you will gain on the course.

What will I study?
The Diploma is a two year full-time course. You will complete 12 units.

The 9 core units covered are:

Unit 1: An introduction to working with children
Unit 2: Development 0-16 years
Unit 3: Supporting children
Unit 4: Keeping children safe
Unit 5: The principles and role of the practitioner
Unit 6: Promoting a healthy environment
Unit 7: Play and Learning in Childrens Education
Unit 8: Caring for children

Unit 9: Practical Training
This will involve working with children of different ages in a variety of Early Years settings. The College will find these placements for you. Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from placements, which are located citywide. You will need to successfully complete a minimum of 100 days in your three settings to pass the course which is usually completed by a 1 day a week placement and also 2 block placements.

You will also complete 3 optional units.

You will need to complete an enhanced CRB check before you can attend placement. The College will subsidise this but you may be asked to make a contribution towards the cost.

How will I be assessed?
Assessment will be through a wide range of tasks including essays, portfolio tasks, reflective diaries, a research project and external exams. Attendance at placement will be monitored weekly and you will need to complete the required number of days to pass the course.

What qualification will I achieve?
On successful completion of the course you will be awarded the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels. If you do not already have grade C in GCSE Maths, English and Science you are strongly advised to retake these to make sure you have the qualifications to progress to HE courses and career routes.

What can I do next?
Students successfully completing the course may wish to progress onto HNDs, Foundation Degrees or Degrees such as Teaching, Nursing, or Early Years or alternatively employment within the Early Years area such as: Nursery Nurse, Crèche Assistant, pre-school leader.

The course may also be used as a route into general nursing training or midwifery and, with one or two years' additional experience, teaching or social work.

If you are hoping to study to become a Primary Teacher (5-11yrs), it is advisable to study an additional A Level in a National Curriculum subject.

Please note that you will need grade C in GCSE English and Maths (or another science subject) for these career routes.

Additional Information:
You will need to pass a Criminal Records Bureau check for the work experience element and contribute towards the cost of this. Some work placements may also require a medical check.