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 and Certification Fee
- £165.00
- Level
- Level 3
- Minimum entry age
- 16
- GLH
- 539
- TQT
- 663
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.
UCAS Points
This qualification has the following UCAS Points - D - 36, C - 48, B - 60, A - 72, A* 84.
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)
Qualification specification
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains everything you need to know about this qualification in PDF format and should be used by everyone involved in its planning, delivery and assessment.
Qualification Factsheet
LessMore info DownloadThe Key Facts document details all of the important information you need to know about this qualification.
Purpose Statement
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HEI Letters of Support – Certificate
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PACEY Letter of Support – Certificate
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To view additional support materials you will need your Portal login details. If you don’t have a login for Portal please contact your Portal administrator within your centre. To see more additional materials please Login
Qualification specification (Word)
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains everything you need to know about this qualification in MS Word format and should be used by everyone involved in its planning, delivery and assessment.
Tutor guidance (doc)
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Tutor guidance
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Learner Handbook (Word)
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Learner Handbook
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EYE Unit 8 Professional Practice Portfolio
LessMore info DownloadThis document has been produced for Tutors and Assessors to support holistic planning for Unit 8.
Chief Examiner Report - EPS1 and EPS2 - Jan 2020
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the January 2020 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report Jan 17 Extended Assessment
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the January 2017 extended assessment.
Chief Examiner Report Jan 17 Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the January 2017 Effective Practice Study.
Continuing Professional Development Knowledge Workbook
LessMore info DownloadThis workbook supports centre staff with continuing professional development in line with the Early Years Educator Assessment Principles.
Continuing Professional Development Knowledge Workbook (doc)
LessMore info DownloadThis MS Word workbook supports centre staff with continuing professional development in line with the Early Years Educator Assessment Principles.
Continuing Professional Development Reflective Workbook
LessMore info DownloadThis reflective workbook supports centre staff with continuing professional development in line with the Early Years Educator Assessment Principles.
Continuing Professional Development Reflective Workbook (doc)
LessMore info DownloadThis MS Word reflective workbook supports centre staff with continuing professional development in line with the Early Years Educator Assessment Principles.
Placement Handbook Guide for Learners and Apprentices
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Placement Handbook Guide for Learners and Apprentices (doc)
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Placement Handbook Guide for Mentors
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Placement Handbook Guide for Mentors (doc)
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Learner Induction Pack
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Chief Examiner Report Sep 17 Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the September 2017 Effective Practice Study
Chief Examiner Report Jan 18 Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the January 2018 Effective Practice Study
Chief Examiner Report - May 2018 - EPS 1 & 2
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CACHE Assessment Themes
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External Assessment Cover Sheet
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EPS1 Effective Practice Study Task 1
LessMore info DownloadThis document details the Effective Practice Study Task 1 (EPS1).
EPS2 Effective Practice Study Tutor Learner Information and Requirements
LessMore info DownloadThis document is for Tutors and Learners and details the requirements for completing the Effective Practice Study 2 (EPS2).
EPS2 Effective Practice Study Task 2
LessMore info DownloadThis document details the Effective Practice Study Task 2 (EPS2).
Chief Examiner Report - Sept 18 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the September 2018 Effective Practice Study
EPS1 Effective Practice Study Tutor Learner Information and Requirements
LessMore info DownloadThis document is for Tutors and Learners and details the requirements for completing the Effective Practice Study 1 (EPS1).
Chief Examiner Report - January 2019 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the January 2019 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report - April 2019 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the April 2019 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report - September 2019 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the September 2019 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report - April 2020 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the April 2020 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report - September 2020 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the September 2020 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report - EPS 1 & 2 - January 2021
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the January 2021 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report - September 2021 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the chief examiner for the September 2021 external assessment
Chief examiner report - January 2022 - Effective Practice Study
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the chief examiner for the January 2022 external assessment.
Print materials available on our dedicated Print Shop website
Price (Inc VAT): Refer to External Link
Internal assessments will go ahead in 2021/22, therefore moving away from results being based on Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) used in 2020 to 2021, where this has been permitted. Students need to prepare a portfolio of evidence. We encourage centres to review our guidance on the types of evidence, and evidence capture, that we permit including e.g. the use of video, photos and other digital means of demonstrating knowledge and skills.
We are removing the requirement of the work placement to be completed as it does not contribute to the overall grade of the qualification. However, where learners are working towards skills, reference should be made to the ‘HSC, Early Years and Childcare - Joint AO Adaptation Guidance’ document which can be found below.
External assessments will go ahead in 2021/22, therefore moving away from results being based on Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) used in 2020 to 2021. Further information can be found in our external assessment timetable on our website.
For further information please see the 2021/22 adaptation addendum document below.
2021-22 AT 60139997 V2.0
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HSC, EY and CC - Joint AO Adaptation Guidance 2021_22 V1.0 Sept 2021
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