NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that this qualification (subject to any future reviews by the DfE) has been approved for inclusion within the 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Key Stage 5 performance tables.

The DfE have confirmed that the additional retake opportunity in place for the 2018/19 academic year for all Tech Levels and Applied General qualifications will continue to be offered while the moratorium for 16-18 performance tables is in place. This includes Tech Levels and Applied General qualifications which will be counted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 performance tables.

What does the qualification cover?

This qualification offers progression from the Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education and enables learners to gain the knowledge and experience which will allow them to work with children from birth to 5 years.
Upon achievement of the Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education it is intended that learners will be able to access higher education or enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.

Who is this qualification suitable for?

This qualification is suitable for those wishing to progress to Higher Education.

What are the entry requirements?

You should be at least 16 years old.

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.

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.
However, the Department for Education expects learners without English and/or maths GCSE at grade C to be offered and encouraged to take up GCSEs as part of their Study Programme. From 2016/17 learners will need to have completed or be studying GCSE English and maths to have their study programme funded.

How is this qualification structured?

This is a nested Award, Certificate, and Diploma.

Rules of combination

In order to achieve the Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) learners must achieve a pass grade in the externally set, internally assessed unit assessments for 14 mandatory units.
Learners must also achieve a pass grade D or above for the external assessments CCE1 and DCE2 (externally set, externally assessed).
Each unit throughout the qualification will be graded A*-D and the overall qualification is graded A* - D.

Assessment Opportunities

Please note: the assessment opportunities for all the externally set and marked assessments for this qualification are limited to one attempt and two further reattempt opportunities (undertaking an alternative assessment).

Please see the External Assessment Timetablefor a breakdown of the assessment dates for this qualification.