10 Aug 2020
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
These qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to the childcare sector, equipping learners with underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the sector alongside a range of transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in childcare or other related sectors.
The Skills for Childcare qualifications form part of our Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The employability skills units are common across the suite, enabling easy transfer of credits between qualifications and supporting opportunities for cross-faculty working.
The qualifications have been developed with the support of a number of further education colleges, training providers and adult and community learning providers. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant, particularly in the case of the smaller qualifications, for adults including the unemployed. These qualifications are also suitable for pre 16 learners.
Changes to our “Skills for…” qualifications
The recent review of our Vocational qualifications has resulted in changes to qualifications in the Childcare sector that will come in to effect as of the 1st August 2020. Please refer to the new Skills for Childcare qualification specification or unit spreadsheet for further details.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete at least one unit from Group M – Mandatory worth a minimum of 1 credit and 5 further credits from Group M or Group O1 – Optional units.
Units
Learners must complete at least one unit from Group M worth a minimum of 1 credit.
Respecting Children
Working in Early Years Settings
Learners must complete 2 or more credits from Group O1 – Optional Units.
Building Confidence Through Play
Communicating with Children
Growth and Development of Young Children
Meeting the Development Needs of Young Children
Play Activities for Young Children
Working with Colleagues
What is the purpose of this qualification?
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. It is available to learners of any age, however it is anticipated that it will be of specific relevance to:
• unemployed adults needing to demonstrate their interest in and commitment to a particular vocational area to potential employers, particularly where further work-based training will be on offer
• learners of any age who have been disengaged with learning and need a short introduction at Entry level before progressing straight to a larger certificate or diploma at level 1.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides a basic, introductory set of knowledge and skills, relevant to childcare. Mandatory units include:
• Working in Early Years Settings
• Respecting Children
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Award if they need only a small amount of focused learning in childcare before progressing to employment (with further training where possible) or to a Level 1 qualification.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to an entry-level role in childcare such as nursery assistant, nanny, babysitter, playgroup assistant or creche assistant.
What are the progression options?
Learners can progress to a Level 1 certificate or diploma in Childcare, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 1 Certificate and Diploma in Skills as well as other level 1 qualifications such as Childcare, Introduction to Early Years Settings.
Progression & Entry Requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. It is available to learners of any age. The learners can progress to a Level 1 certificate or diploma in Childcare, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 1 Certificate and Diploma in Skills as well as other level 1 qualifications such as Childcare, Introduction to Early Years Settings.Funding information
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.
Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustment Forms
- Indicative content is provided for units within this qualification. This can be found via the Structure and Unit Details tab, or recognised Centres can login to Prism.
Offer our Qualifications
If you would like to teach our qualifications to your learners, submit an enquiry to discuss the best options.