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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education
Ref:
601/3999/7
Sector:
Health, Public Services and Care, Early Years Educator
Features:
Learning Resources Available, UCAS, Nested Qualification
Registration & certification fee:
£192.00
Level:
Level 3
Minimum entry age:
16
GLH:
539
TQT:
663
This qualification has been allocated UCAS points. Please refer to the UCAS website for further details of the points allocation and the most up-to-date information.
What does the qualification cover?
The Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education prepares learners to progress on to the Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator). The Diploma enables learners to gain the knowledge and experience which will allow them to work with children from birth to 5 years.
What is a nested qualification?
This qualification is nested. Qualifications within a nested suite allow learners to be topped up to a qualification that is the same level and subject within the Award, Certificate, Diploma structure. This can be done by self-service through the Portal. Qualification nests and top-up pricing can be found in our fees list.
Who is it suitable for?
This qualification is suitable for a range of learners either working or wishing to work in early years education and care.
What are our entry requirements for commencing the qualification?
You should be at least 16 years old. We do not set any other entry requirements but colleges or training providers may have their own guidelines.
Early Years Educator: Changes to GCSE Requirements
From 3 April 2017, the requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYE) to hold GCSE English and maths A*-C, will be broadened to Level 2 qualifications, including Functional Skills. This will also apply to an apprenticeship route.
This will enable staff with an EYE qualification and Level 2 English and mathematics qualifications to count in the Level 3 staff:child ratios in childcare settings. This includes those who already hold an EYE qualification, began studying an EYE from September 2014 or will achieve an EYE in the future. ?
Please refer to the Early Years Workforce Strategy (March 2017) for further details.
Education Funding Agency-funded learners
Learners aged 16-19 (and learners aged 19-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities) funded by the Education Funding Agency will not require GCSE English and maths grade A* - C prior to commencing their Early Years Educator qualification.
Rule of combination
In order to achieve the Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education learners must complete 8 mandatory units, including all the criteria learners must know about, which is contained within the delivery guidance, as well as an Effective Practice Study Task (externally set and externally marked).
Dependant on learner ability and Centre delivery the Certificate can be achieved in approximately 1 year. It enables learners to progress on to the Diploma.
Each unit throughout the qualification will be graded A*-D with the qualification overall grading being A* - D.
Assessment opportunities
Assessment opportunities for all the externally set and marked assessments for the Certificate will be limited to one attempt and one further reattempt opportunity to undertake an alternative assessment.
External assessment timetable
Please see the external assessment timetable for a breakdown of the assessment dates for this qualification.
Useful links
Regulations for the conduct of external assessment
Qualification specific instructions for delivery (QSID)
Support materials
Qualification specification (PDF | 1040 KB)
Qualification specification (Word) (DOCX | 747 KB)
Qualification factsheet (PDF | 124 KB)
Purpose statement (PDF | 83 KB)
HEI letters of support – certificate (PDF | 293 KB)
PACEY letter of support – certificate (PDF | 56 KB)
Tutor guidance (PDF | 1028 KB)
Tutor guidance (Word) (DOCX | 696 KB)
Learner handbook (PDF | 1896 KB)
Learner handbook (Word) (DOCX | 890 KB)
Continuing professional development knowledge workbook (PDF | 151 KB)
Continuing professional development knowledge workbook (Word) (DOC | 394 KB)
Continuing professional development reflective workbook (PDF | 158 KB)
Continuing professional development reflective workbook (Word) (DOC | 400 KB)
Support Handbook (PDF | 327 KB)
Assessment materials
NCFE have password protected the latest external assessment past-paper, mark scheme and chief examiner report. You are now able to use these as current and valid mock assessments. To access the documents, you will need a Portal login. If you do not have a Portal login please contact your Portal administrator.
External assessment cover sheet (DOCX | 50 KB)
Cache Assessment Themes Aug 2023 (PDF | 94 KB)
Exemplar CACHE Evidence Uploads (PDF | 220 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/EPS June 2024 (PDF | 126 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/EPS January 2024 (PDF | 126 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/EPS September 2023 (PDF | 120 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/EPS April 2023 (PDF | 115 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/EPS January 2023 (PDF | 69 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/EPS September 2022 (PDF | 61 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/EPS January 2022 (PDF | 48 KB)
EPS1 effective practice study task 1 (PDF | 233 KB)
EPS1 effective practice study tutor learner information and requirements (PDF | 496 KB)
EPS2 effective practice study task 2 (PDF | 211 KB)
EPS2 effective practice study tutor learner information and requirements (PDF | 478 KB)
EYE unit 8 professional practice portfolio (PDF | 430 KB)
Teaching materials
Unit breakdown
Child Development From Conception to Seven Years (F/506/5384)
Children's Health and Well-Being (J/506/5385)
Providing Safe Environments for Children (L/506/5386)
Child Health (Y/506/5388)
Play and Learning (Y/506/5391)
Understanding Children's Additional Needs (H/506/5393)
Observation, Assessment and Planning (M/506/5395)
Professional Practice Portfolio 1 (R/506/5387)
Effective Practice Study (EYE/EPS)