CACHE Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care & Education

Childcare, Education & Counselling

CACHE Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care & Education (G1611E)

What are the Course Details?
This internationally recognised Level 3 qualification is equivalent to three vocational A levels and attracts UCAS points. It provides underpinning knowledge and practical training for childcare practitioners who work with children and families in a wide range of settings and comprises of nine mandatory units (including a graded practice unit) and three optional units.
This is a two-year course.

Is the Course for Me?
Learners need to have a sensible and mature attitude to both work and study and a desire to work with children. You will need to have a professional approach to placement and the ability to work in a team, use initiative and maintain confidentiality.

What will I Learn?
The course is modular as follows:
Unit 1 Introduction to Working with Children
Unit 2 Development and Conception of Children to age 16 years
Unit 3 Supporting Children
Unit 4 Keeping Children Safe
Unit 5 The Principles Underpinning the Role of the Practitioner Working with Children
Unit 6 Promoting Healthy Environments
Unit 7 Play and Learning in Children's Education
Unit 8 Caring for Children
Unit 9 Development of Professional Skills within Children's Education (graded practice unit)
Plus three optional units.

How will I Learn?
This course is delivered through taught lessons, group work, assignments and practical work. Throughout the qualification you will be expected to participate in professional practice in a variety of settings in order to apply what you learn in a practical environment.

How will I be Assessed?
Learners will need to achieve A to E grades in nationally set assessments at the end of each unit. The range of assessment methods include a multi-choice question paper, portfolio of work, assignments, short answer tests on a case study and an externally assessed task requiring synoptic research.
The practical element of the course is assessed and graded through a personal evidence diary, professional development profiles, practice evidence records and placement reports.

What Enrichments are Available?
You will gain extra qualifications in Functional Skills.


Are there any Trips or Visits?
Yes -these are generally linked to the childcare syllabus.

Is there any Work Experience?
You will attend placement in a childcare setting alternate weeks throughout the two years on the course. This equates to 50% of the course and will include placements such as day nurseries, LEA nurseries, infant schools, hospitals and special schools.

What can I Progress to?
Learners will be expected to achieve the Award and Certificate in year one before progressing onto the 'Diploma' in year two.
To achieve the Level 3 Award you must successfully complete units 1 and 2.
To achieve the Level 3 Certificate you must successfully complete units 1 to 5.
To achieve the full level 3 'Diploma' you must successfully complete Units 1 to 8, the graded practice unit (Unit 9) and three optional units.

Other Learner's Experiences;
As the course attracts UCAS points a growing number of learners now enter into Higher Education to pursue a career in teaching, social work or to gain Early Years Professional status. Many of our learners enter into employment as nursery nurses, nursery supervisors, teaching assistants, children's holiday reps, nannies etc.
Three learners took part in a Curriculum Exchange to Nebraska, USA in April 2009. Their comments included, 'It was a trip of a lifetime" ' We experienced working in a range of childcare settings and compared the curriculum and practice to our own" and 'It was a very informative trip."

Please Note:
Acceptance onto courses may be subject to a satisfactory interview and references. For some courses learners may also be required to pay for a CRB disclosure.


Course Code
G1611E


Award Level
Level 3


AwardBody
Council for the Awards in Children's Care


Duration
2 years