NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education
Ref:
601/8436/X
Sector:
Health, Public Services and Care, Early Years Educator
Features:
Learning Resources Available, Performance Points, UCAS, Nested Qualification
Registration & certification fee:
£192.00
Level:
Level 3
Minimum entry age:
16
GLH:
455
TQT:
569
This technical qualification that appears in the Department for Education (DfE) performance tables, will count towards 16 to 18 performance measures in 2024 and 2025 only.
The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that this qualification (subject to any future reviews by the DfE) has been approved for inclusion within the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Key Stage 5 performance tables.
The DfE have confirmed that the additional retake opportunity in place for the 2018/19 academic year for all Tech Levels and Applied General qualifications will continue to be offered while the moratorium for 16-18 performance tables is in place. This includes Tech Levels and Applied General qualifications which will be counted in 2022 and 2023 performance tables.
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.
The Level 3 Certificate in Childcare & Education (Early Years Educator) will run alongside the Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare & Education (Early Years Educator).
The Technical Certificate in Childcare and Education is slightly different, in relation to Unit 8 (Professional Skills Portfolio 1) and Unit 15 (Professional Skills Portfolio 2). They have been combined into a new Unit 16 (grading: Pass/Refer). While placement is still necessary for the Certificate, assessment of competence now only sits within the Diploma. This was actioned in response to Centre feedback.
There are changes to the external assessment as follows:
• there are new requirements relating to the controls around external assessments: this is the key change
• the delivery of the content of the qualification will be unchanged by the external assessment requirements
• the external assessments will occur at the same points in the qualifications as at present
• the extended assessments will continue to be consistent in their synoptic assessment of the relevant units, will continue to be graded A*- D but will use an assessment model which will enable centres and learners to accommodate the controls around the external assessments
• Unit 8 (Professional Skills Portfolio 1) and Unit 15 (Professional Skills Portfolio 2) combined into new Unit 16 (grading: Pass/Refer).
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.
What does the qualification cover?
The Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education prepares learners to progress to the Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education and then 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.
Upon achievement of the Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education it is intended that learners will be able to access higher education or enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.
Who is this qualification 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 the entry requirements?
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.
Other 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.
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.
However, the Department for Education expects learners without English and/or maths GCSE at grade C to be offered and encouraged to take up GCSEs as part of their Study Programme. From 2016/17 learners will need to have completed or be studying GCSE English and maths to have their study programme funded.
How is this qualification structured?
This qualification is part of a nested Award, Certificate, and Diploma.
Rules of combination:
In order to achieve the Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education learners must achieve a pass grade D in the externally set, internally assessed unit assessments for 7 mandatory units.
Learners must also achieve a pass grade D or above for the external assessment CCE1 (externally set, externally assessed).
Dependent 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 and the overall qualification is graded A* - D.
Assessment opportunities
Please note: the assessment opportunities for all the externally set and marked assessments for this qualification are limited to one attempt and one further reattempt opportunity (undertaking 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 | 900 KB)
Qualification specification (Word) (DOCX | 512 KB)
Qualification factsheet (PDF | 115 KB)
Purpose statement (PDF | 98 KB)
CACHE Technical qualification - performance tables (PDF | 122 KB)
PACEY support letter (PDF | 1014 KB)
Tutor guidance (PDF | 1031 KB)
Tutor guidance (Word) (DOCX | 683 KB)
Placement handbook guide for mentors (PDF | 128 KB)
Placement handbook guide for mentors (Word) (DOC | 421 KB)
Learner handbook (PDF | 1490 KB)
Learner handbook (Word) (DOCX | 673 KB)
Placement handbook guide for learners and apprentices (PDF | 145 KB)
Placement handbook guide for learners and apprentices (Word) (DOC | 433 KB)
Learner induction pack (PDF | 106 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.
Chief examiner report - CCE1 - summer 2024 (PDF | 112 KB)
CCE1 May 2024 Past Paper External Assessment Task (PDF | 755 KB)
Chief examiner report - CCE1 - January 2024 (PDF | 118 KB)
CCE1 January 2024 Past Paper External Assessment Task (PDF | 148 KB)
CCE1 May 2023 Past Paper External Assessment Task (PDF | 759 KB)
Chief examiner report - CCE1 - May 2023 (PDF | 64 KB)
CCE1 February 2023 Past Paper External Assessment Task (PDF | 759 KB)
Chief examiner report - CCE1 - February 2023 (PDF | 125 KB)
CCE1 May 2022 Past Paper External Assessment Task (PDF | 135 KB)
Chief examiner report - CCE1 - May 2022 (PDF | 91 KB)
CCE1 - February 2022 - question paper (PDF | 187 KB)
Chief examiner report EYE/CCE1 February 2022 (PDF | 191 KB)
Supplementary Answer Booklet (PDF | 140 KB)
CCE1 Instructions For Tutors (PDF | 333 KB)
External Assessment Cover Sheet (PDF | 152 KB)
CCE1 example titles (PDF | 221 KB)
Teaching materials
Learning Curve Group resources
Refer to external link
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)
Certificate External Assessment (CCE1)
Certificate 365 Placement Hours (CCE/CPH)