Children’s Care, Learning and Development - Level 3 Diploma

Essentials

Duration: 1 Year Full-time
Start date: 1st September 2025
End date: 5th June 2026
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

Course Content

This qualification is designed to provide learners with underpinning knowledge and skills needed when working with children. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas working in children’s settings, including early years. The qualification then builds on this knowledge and provides extended knowledge and skills to further their understanding and provide a stepping stone into higher education. 

To achieve this qualification students are required to successfully complete 136 overall credits: 

Year 1

• 56 credits from the 8 Diploma mandatory units  
• 14 credits from the Diploma optional units

Learners will also have access to between 600–700 hours in a work setting that will facilitate development of their skills and knowledge at Level 3.

(After successfully completing year one of your course learners have the option of qualifying with the Cache Level 3 Diploma or progressing onto the Extended Diploma)

Year 2

• 66 credits from the 7 Extended Diploma graded mandatory units 
• 1 (one) external assessment 

 The 7 Extended Diploma graded mandatory unit titles are: 

• Developing study skills for professional practice 
• Enabling Play Environments 
• Partnership working in early years 
• Understanding perspectives on childhood in society 
• Understanding Special Educational Needs and Disability in children 
• Understanding neuroscience in early years 
• Planning for improved outcomes when working with babies and children in an early years setting 

If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.

Our Level 3 childcare students share their experiences of the course and what they plan to do next.

Assessment Methods

The course is assessed mostly by coursework with one external assessment. The external assessment is an extended piece of writing based upon set themes. 

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have:

• 4 GCSEs at C or above 

OR

• Level 2 Diploma in Children's Care, Learning & Development or (equivalent)

AND

• Satisfactory Access NI checks   

Applicants with GCSE Child development, Maths and English at C and above will be given preference (essential skills at level 2 are acceptable in place of GCSE) (for full time applicants) 

In the event of oversubscription, the College reserves the right to increase the entry criteria for this programme to GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above in preference to Essential Skills or lower graded GCSEs. Applicants will still be reviewed in date order and by order of preference.

This course will provide students with the qualification and a licence to practice that is recognised for work in the following areas:  

• Child Minder  
• Day nursery assistant or supervisor    
• Pre-school or Playgroup assistant    
• After school assistant   
• Nursery school, primary school & special needs school classroom assistant   

It will also supports learners’ progression to Higher Education. 

Over 95% of students obtain a full-time childcare job by the end of the course.