Childcare and Early Years

These qualifications are suitable for 14-19 year olds as well as some adults or for learners where English is an additional language and are part of Foundation Learning (FL). Find out more about funding for these and other qualifications on www.cache.org.uk/centres/funding They are designed to stimulate interest and encourage the learners’ understanding of the skills required to care for children and allow Centres flexibility in their offering with a mix of vocational and PSD units. Functional Skills can also be added if required. They support the learner in preparing for the “next steps” either in training or moving towards the world of work, will be signposted to relevant NOS where applicable and will reflect the themes of Every Child Matters and Early Years Foundation.

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Diploma in Caring for Children 501-1015-9

These qualifications are aimed at people considering a career in health and/or social care with adults or children and young people. Each builds on the knowledge gained from the previous qualification. Offered in schools or colleges, they will develop knowledge and awareness of the types of provision in these sectors and the roles played by workers – from principles and values through to health and safety and working with others. There is also an option to take units in more specialised areas such as learning disability, sensory loss or mental health. They do not qualify learners to work directly with adults, children or young people but provide a starting point for deciding whether a career in the sector is right for them. On completing the qualifications, learners who wish to pursue a career can progress to other Level 2 qualifications such as the Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care, the Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce or the Level 2 Certificate in an Introduction to Early Years Education and Care.

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings 600-4797-5

This qualification has been developed for people wanting to work in the children and young people’s workforce. It is ideal for learners who are just starting out in their career and do not feel ready to take a full Level 3 qualification. The qualification will help learners build the knowledge and skills needed when working under supervision with children and young people from birth to 19 years of age. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas in children’s settings, including early years and social care. This qualification enables credits and learning to be transferred from this qualification to the Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (England) providing a direct progression route.

NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (England) 601-3395-8

This qualification has been developed for people wanting to work in the children and young people’s workforce. Suitable for those in full or part time learning or employment, it develops the wide-ranging knowledge and skills needed when working with children and young people from birth up to 19 years. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas – including those in social care settings and offers a wealth of career opportunities. On completion learners will be able to work unsupervised with children and young people.

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (England) (Social Care) 601-3474-4-SC

The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) prepares learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with and care for children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. Upon achievement of this qualification it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators. We have surpassed the minimum requirements set out in the National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) criteria to develop a gold standard qualification which reflects the priorities of practitioners and employers to meet the needs of young children.

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) 601-2629-2

The NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner aims to provide professional development opportunities for practitioners working in the early years workforce at Level 3. This qualification will embrace the wealth of experience of the Level 3 early years workforce, and challenge learners in both their daily practice and theoretical understanding. Upon achievement of the qualification, learners will be equipped as an advanced practitioner. The advanced practitioner will use crucial leadership skills to mentor others across all roles and responsibilities in the early years workforce. The qualification covers a range of early years topics at Level 4, including enabling children to learn, working with families and other professionals and implementing change, as well as specialist areas such as physical activity and nutrition and special educational needs. Learners will acquire and use skills of leadership, mentoring, coaching and reflection as they complete the qualification through work-based learning opportunities.

NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner 601-8424-3

The aim of the Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner qualification is to support leadership and management skills in early years and the knowledge and skills relating to the early years practice. The Early Years Senior Practitioner will be a positive role model for the team. Through clear leadership and effective management, the Senior Practitioner will support and promote best practice within legislative requirements to enable quality provision. Working collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and parents/carers the Senior Practitioner engages and motivates all involved for improved outcomes for babies and children. The areas covered in this qualification include: • quality environments • early years pedagogy • behaviour • care routines • professional development • Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) • safeguarding • inclusion • development • play for learning • partnership working • the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) • leading and managing • health, safety and well-being • roles and responsibilities.

NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner 603-3907-X

This qualification provides learners with the skills and knowledge needed to manage practice and lead others in adult health and social care provision or in children and young people’s services. It has five pathways and covers a wide range of topics including:

• safeguarding and protection
• managing care services, change programmes and recruitment
• supporting development and partnership working
• quality systems and improvement
• developing and carrying out policy
• promoting and developing best practice
• care management.

This qualification is a must have for our Higher Level Apprenticeship in Care Leadership and Management. The Children and Young People pathways are also named in the Apprenticeship Standard for Children Young People and Families Manager.

NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services

This knowledge-based QCF qualification covers enhanced early-stage learning and concepts relating to equality and diversity, particularly relating to society, the workplace, and the community. This will enable learners to develop a level of knowledge beyond the standard employer-sponsored training experience, which will provide them to access to further learning routes or career progression. The objective of this qualification is to allow learners to:

• raise their awareness of the issues surrounding equality and diversity
• apply this awareness through their actions in society, community and the workplace.

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity 601-3145-7

This qualification is designed to increase learners’ awareness and understanding of behaviour that challenges and its effects. By completing the qualification, learners will develop in-depth knowledge of behaviour that challenges, which could support progression onto other appropriate qualifications and into relevant employment in the health and social care sector. This qualification would be valuable to learners already working in education and health and social care settings. There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification. However, learners may find it helpful if they’ve already achieved a Level 1 qualification in healthcare, social care, childcare or supporting learning.

NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge of different Specific Learning Difficulties, how they are diagnosed and how individuals can be supported. The qualification can be used by a wide range of learners looking to improve their knowledge and awareness in this subject area, including those working within healthcare, social care and education contexts. The qualification is also suitable for teaching staff, care staff or anyone looking to build their knowledge of dyslexia and other learning difficulties.

NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties 603-2041-2