CACHE Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Childcare and Education

CACHE Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Childcare and Education
This is a two year full-time course leading to a highly recognised child care qualification. You will have the opportunity to develop your practical skills of working with children and their families in a variety of child care and education settings as well as studying all aspects of child development, care and education. Successful candidates may also go on to further study in higher education (for example early years teaching, children's nursing, social work and childhood studies).

What does the course consist of?
Two days each week will be spent in placement. This practical experience may be gained in infant schools, nurseries attached to infant schools, day care nurseries, pre-schools, hospitals, family centres and schools for children with special needs. Support is provided for you whilst on placement by your placement supervisor and by visits from your college tutors.
Three days each week will be spent in college studying the following units:
*Unit 1 - An introduction to working with children
*Unit 2 - Development from conception 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 a healthy environment for children
*Unit 7 - Play and learning in children's education
*Unit 8 - Caring for children
*Unit 9 - Development of professional skills within children's education
Optional Units

*Unit 11 - Care of sick children
*Unit 12 - Nutrition and healthy food for children
Unit 18 - Working with babies from birth to 12 months

Assessment
In order to gain the Diploma you will have to complete:

• three portfolios for units 6,7 and 8
• eight national assignments on units 2 to 5, 11, 12 and 18
• one external short answer paper based on a seen case study (end Units 1 to 5)
• one external short answer paper (end Units 1 to 5)
• one externally assessed research task
• satisfactory professional development profiles (reports on your progress in the work placement)
• satisfactory evidence of your skills working with children in placement (practice evidence records)
• satisfactory placement evidence diary

CACHE has strict guidelines regarding attendance.
What else do I need to know?
As a national requirement a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check is carried out on all students before they start the course. You will also be required to complete a Health Screening form and to provide two references, one of which is a character reference and one is from someone who has seen you working with children. You will be expected to buy a Childhood Studies polo shirt to wear in work placements.
You will be taught by a specialist team of tutors from health, teaching and nursery management backgrounds. Teaching takes place in specialist rooms with facilities for practical work related to the course and computers to support your assignment and portfolio work. You will experience a variety of study methods including discussions, group work, practical work, watching videos/dvds, visiting speakers, note taking and individual research. Up to date specialist books and periodicals are available in the base room and library.
This course can lead to employment in both private and public sectors, either at home or abroad. Types of employment with children include work in day nurseries, nursery schools, special schools, infant schools, pre-school groups, family centres, crèches, hospitals, primary health care teams, Sure Start and work as a nanny or children's rep. Approximately half of our students each year successfully gain places in higher education for teaching or nursing. The course is also suitable for students wishing to study social work, nursing or childhood studies at university.