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

What you will study

This course will enable you to follow a career within an early years setting.

This qualification is split into three stages: Award, Certificate and Diploma, with the Award and Certificate building towards the Level 3 Diploma. It is expected that you will progress through the Award and Certificate to complete the Diploma in order to be able to practice as an Early Years Practitioner.

Level 3 Award consists of two units:
- An introduction to working with children
- Development from conception to age 16 years

Level 3 Certificate - as above plus three further units:
- Supporting children
- Keeping children safe
- The principles underpinning the role of the practitioner working with children

Level 3 Diploma. After gaining the Award and Certificate you will study a further seven units including 750 hours practical training hours:
- Promoting a health environment for children
- Play and learning in children's education
- Caring for children
- Development of professional skills within children's education
- Plus three option units to be confirmed at a later date

Who the course is for

The full qualification prepares you to work unsupervised, or in a supervisory capacity, with children and their families in a variety of settings and environments within the sector of Children's Services.

How you will study

You will spend half your time studying in College and the other half on placement working with children. The work placement element involves a commitment to attend placements on a regular basis. Whilst every effort is made to place you near to your homes, this may involve traveling.

You will be expected to purchase a sweat shirt to wear on work placements and a course text book.

How you will be assessed

Most units are assessed through an assignment which is set by CACHE and marked by your tutors.

To gain the Level 3 Diploma you will complete two external assessments. A short answer test based on a case study that you will be able to see in advance of the assessment and a research task which is prepared by CACHE. This task will require a substantial amount of research and work.

Practical competence in the workplace will be assessed through a variety of tasks and reports which you will build into a portfolio of evidence.

Qualification Title

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

Course Length

Two years full-time.

Course Availability

The course is available at the following campus(es):

• Rhos-on-Sea
• Rhyl

Entry Requirements

You must be over the age of 16 and have four GCSEs at Grade C or above (including English) or CACHE Level 2 (gaining four Grade Cs or above in course work assignments) or a GNVQ Intermediate at Distinction. You will also require a satisfactory character reference, CRB check and a successful interview.

*From September 2003 it will be necessary to clear all students under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act via a CRB check application form (issued to you during your interview with explanatory notes). The applicant will be expected to complete and return the CRB application form during the interview process. Charge to applicant for the CRB check is currently £36.

Applicants with relevant experience are welcome to apply.

This course replaces the CACHE Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB).

Your Options After the Course

The Diploma is valued at up to 360 UCAS points, dependant on overall grades achieved. Once you've completed the course you could go onto further study at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru including:

- BA (Hons) Childhood & Learning Support Studies
- Foundation Degree (FdA) Childhood & Learning Support Studies

The Diploma will also provide you with access to a range of other Higher Education programmes for example Nursing or Teaching.

How to Apply

For further details on how to apply please contact:

Coleg Llandrillo Cymru
Advice And Guidance Centre
Llandudno Road
Rhos-on-Sea
Colwyn Bay, Conwy
LL28 4HZ

Phone: 01492 546666 ext. 338 / 339
Email: admissions@llandrillo.ac.uk

Support for Learning

College Llandrillo offers a wide range of support services if you have any additional learning support needs. For further information on support for learning contact the Learning Support Co-ordinator on 01492 546666 ext 535, or email j.mcgrath@llandrillo.ac.uk.