Qualification Number 603/3292/X

What does this qualification cover?

This qualification covers a range of key subject areas that provide learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to care for and educate children aged between 0 and 11 years 11 months old. It has been designed to support learners to progress onto level 3 qualifications across a number of sectors, including the early years educator sector, the supporting teaching and learning sector, and the children and young people sector. It also contains significant transferable knowledge for the health and social care sector. In addition, Centres can deliver this qualification as part of a full study programme (alongside, for example, GCSE English and Maths). This qualification is approved to count in the 16-19 performance tables in the Technical Certificate category, and has been designed to meet the Department for Education’s rigorous approval criteria.

Who is it suitable for?

This qualification is suitable for learners aged 16 or above who wish to progress onto further education or into the workplace.

What are the entry requirements?

Learners must be at least 16 years old. We do not set any other entry requirements but colleges or training providers may have their own guidelines.

How is this qualification structured?

This qualification is made up of 6 mandatory units. Learners must complete all 6 units in order to achieve the qualification.

How is it assessed?

To gain this qualification, learners must achieve a minimum of a Pass grade in each of the six mandatory units. These units will be internally assessed and graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. In addition, learners will need to complete:

• A Professional Skills Record. This will be completed over a minimum of 120 hours of placement in a real work environment and will be assessed by the supervisor and Centre assessor in an early years and primary school setting. This Professional Skills Record will be graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved.

• A synoptic short answer examination, which will be undertaken at the end of the qualification. This will be externally set and assessed, and will be graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. All units, the Professional Skills Record and the short answer examination grades will be combined to give an overall graded result of Pass, Merit or Distinction. Full achievement of the qualification will not be possible until all components are complete.

How long will it take to complete this qualification?

The Certificate can usually be completed in one year.

Do you need to be working to take this qualification?

This qualification has a minimum requirement of 120 work placement hours. However, we recommend learners undertake at least 200 hours of work placement.

What related qualifications can you progress to?

This qualification allows progression onto Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications and other Level 3 qualifications relating to Childcare, Health and Social Care or Supporting Teaching and Learning.

Career opportunities

This qualification is designed as entry to the workforce at Level 2 and may support progression into a range of job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors.

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?

Learners can progress in the workplace in a variety of job roles, such as:

• nursery assistant
• classroom assistant
• preschool assistant.