Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award in Childcare

Rules of Combination

Learners must complete one unit from Group M – Mandatory worth a minimum of 3 credits and at least one further unit worth a minimum of 3 credits from either Group M or Group O1 – Optional units: Childcare.

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Units

What is the purpose of this qualification?

The purpose of this qualification is to develop learners' understanding and knowledge in childcare and to support progression to the next level of vocational learning in childcare or related area. 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.

• young people on traineeships who are working at level 1 and are seeking a short, focused qualification in the sector in which they wish to work/gain an apprenticeship, as part of the work preparation training element of a traineeship.

• learners of any age who have been disengaged with learning and need a short introduction at level 1 before progressing straight to a larger certificate or diploma at level 2.

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What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?

This qualification provides an introductory set of knowledge and skills, relevant to childcare. The choice of mandatory units includes:

• Working in Early Years Settings
• Communicating with Children

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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 2 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above.

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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.

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What are the progression options?

The learners can progress to a level 2 certificate or diploma in Childcare, including qualifications such as Child Development and Care, Caring for Children and Young People, Health and Social Care.

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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.

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Funding information

There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.

The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:

View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website

The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).

View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search

How to find a learning aim

If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:

How to Use: Find a learning Aim

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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.

A free resource pack is available for this qualification.

We have pre-selected some of the most popular units used in short courses for adults and created a resource pack to support online, blended and face-to-face teaching and learning.

Units in this qualification with resources:

• Working in Early Years Settings
• Physical Activities for Children

Each pack contains:

• Teacher Delivery Guide – This guide summarises the delivery of the units and helps provide a structured, blended approach to the delivery of the units for face-to-face, remote delivery, or a mixture of both. The teaching and learning activities included can be adapted to meet the diverse needs and profile of learners.
• Learner Pack – This pack includes guidance for learning activities which will help learners to think about what they have been discussing with the teacher and the rest of the group. There are also assessment tasks which can be used as evidence for the qualification. Finally, there are checklists where learners can assess their own skills development and progress and record sheets for activities observed by the teacher.
• Teacher Resource PowerPoint – a ready-to-deliver PowerPoint presentation for each unit, featuring videos and activities for learners, along with comprehensive notes for teaching staff.

These resources are available free of charge to Centres approved with Gateway Qualifications. They can be downloaded from our Prism system and can be found on the “Documents” tab of the relevant qualification.

Watch our short video for step-by-step guidance on how to access them.