
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner
- Ref:
- 603/3723/0
- Sector:
- Health, Public Services and Care, Early Years Educator
- Features:
- Licence to Practice
- Registration and Certification Fee
- £103.00
- Level
- Level 2
- Minimum entry age
- 16
- GLH
- 293
- TQT
- 370
- Credit Value
- 37
What does this qualification cover?
The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge and understanding of babies and young children from birth to7 years of age with applied knowledge in the early years, 0-5 years. The qualification content meets the Department for Education’s (DfE) Level 2 full and relevant criteria for a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner in the workforce.
Who is it suitable for?
This qualification is ideal for learners looking to work with children between birth and 5 years, and gain knowledge of working with children up to 7 years. Learners do not need to have previous experience or qualifications in working with children to undertake this qualification.
What are the entry requirements?
Learners must be aged 16 or over. We do not set any other entry requirements but colleges or training providers may have their own guidelines.
How is this qualification structured?
To gain this qualification, learners must achieve a total of 37 credits from all 14 mandatory units.
How is it assessed?
All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods. Knowledge based outcomes can be assessed using non–mandatory assessment tasks provided for tutors’ convenience in this specification. Skills based outcomes must be achieved with reference to a real work environment and must include direct observation within the workplace.
How many credits are required to complete it?
To gain this qualification, learners must achieve a total of 37 credits from all 14 mandatory units.
How long will it take to complete this qualification?
This qualification will take approximately 12 months to complete.
Do you need to be working to take this qualification?
Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement to show competence in both knowledge and skills. We recommend learners complete 250 placement hours whilst undertaking this qualification.
Placement opportunity must allow for skills application with babies and young children sufficient to meet the assessment criteria for the qualification.
What related qualifications can you progress to?
This qualification allows progression on to the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications and other relevant Level 3 qualifications relating to early years and child care.
For further details of careers in the Early Years, please refer to the Early Years Progression Map: here.
Funding for our qualifications
Find out more about funding for this and other qualifications on our funding page.
Which type of job roles can you apply for on completion?
This qualification allows a learner to count towards the Level 2 ratio as a qualified Level 2 Early Years Practitioner across the Early Years Workforce.
Learners may work under supervision in a variety of roles such as:
• nursery practitioner
• classroom assistant
• pre-school practitioner.
Qualification Specification (PDF)
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 DownloadThis document outlines the key information of this qualification for the Centre, learner and employer.
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.
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 (Word)
LessMore info DownloadThis 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 workbook supports centre staff to reflect on continuing professional development in line with the Early Years Educator Assessment Principles.
Continuing Professional Development Reflective Workbook (Word)
LessMore info DownloadThis workbook supports centre staff to reflect on continuing professional development in line with the Early Years Educator Assessment Principles.
Be able to (PDF)
LessMore info DownloadThis PDF document will help Assessors and learners identify how the skills learning outcomes ('Be able to') can be evidenced through the skills/competency assessment criteria. This document must be used alongside the Qualification Specification.
Be able to (Word)
LessMore info DownloadThis MS Word document will help Assessors and learners identify how the skills learning outcomes ('Be able to') can be evidenced through the skills/competency assessment criteria. This document must be used alongside the Qualification Specification.
Tutor Guidance (PDF)
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains helpful hints and tips for Tutors to help aid delivery of this qualification in PDF format.
Tutor Guidance (Word)
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains helpful hints and tips for Tutors to help aid delivery of this qualification in MS Word format.
Scheme of Work (PDF)
LessMore info DownloadThis Scheme of Work is a guideline that defines the structure and content of this qualification.
Mentoring programme
LessMore info Download
Mentoring programme (doc)
LessMore info Download
Mapping Document
Price (Inc VAT): Free
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.
Students are still required to complete the work placement, but the focus should be on learning outcomes and evidencing competence. We have removed the requirement for students to complete a minimum number of placement hours; hours should still be recorded.
The adaptation addendum document contains further information on how DfE Early Years Practitioner criteria can be met either within the workplace or via alternative assessment methods. We’ve also put in place a ‘knowledge only’ fall back option to support student progression to higher or further education- please refer to the documents below for details.
Adaptations should also be applied in line with the ‘HSC, Early Years and Childcare - Joint AO Adaptation Guidance’ document.
For further information please see the 2021/22 adaptation addendum document below.
2021-22 AT 60337230 V1.0
LessMore info Download
DFE EYP Knowledge Only- Mentoring Programme- top up to skills V1.0
LessMore info Download
HSC, EY and CC - Joint AO Adaptation Guidance 2021_22 V1.0 Sept 2021
LessMore info Download
EYE-EYP knowledge only option- process and certification April 2022
LessMore info Download