Level 3 Childcare apprenticeships

Overview

The qualifications are knowledge and practice based and assesses learners’ knowledge and competence to practice in employment. This qualification is primarily for those working, or seeking to work in regulated childcare settings with families and children under the age of 8 years and NHS children’s services for those working with families and children aged 0-19 years. It is designed for learners in work based learning. The qualification will assess learners’ knowledge and practice through their work who will be able to demonstrate that they:
• Understand, and apply in practice, the principles and values which underpin children’s care, play, learning and development• Understand, and apply, in practice, child-centred approaches to care, play and learning
• Promote and support child development through their own practice
• Are aware of key policies within the sector and how these affect service development and delivery
• Work in partnership with children, their families, carers and a range of professionals
• Reflect on practice to continuously improve
• Apply a range of problem-solving techniques
• Use literacy, numeracy and digital competency skills as appropriate within their role To achieve the Apprenticeship, learners will complete the level 2 Child Care, Play, Learning and Development: Core alongside the Level 3 Diploma Child Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice.

Who is the course suitable for?

• Learners working in a childcare setting undertaking Level 3 roles and responsibilities
• Learners who have achieved the Level 2 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Core or Practice qualification
• Those working in Flying Start, and those delivering the curriculum for 3 to 7-year-olds in Wales
• Learners who hold a Level 2 legacy qualification as listed in the Qualifications Framework for Social Care and Regulated Childcare in Wales.

What is covered on the course?

The mandatory content of the qualification is aligned to the All Wales Induction Framework for Early Years and Childcare with a specific practical focus on children under the age of 8yrs supported by knowledge and understanding of child development up to the age of 18yrs. Learners. The following topics are featured as mandatory:
• Principles and values
• Health, well-being, learning and development
• Professional practice
• Safeguarding children
• Health and safety
• Child development
• Speech, language and communication

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded the following:

• Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Core Level 3
• Essential Skills in Maths and English Level 2 (if applicable)
• Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice Level 3

How is the apprenticeship delivered?

Core

This qualification is delivered in workshops via Zoom by a Knowledge Coach and assessed at our registered centre.

The qualification covers the fundamental knowledge and understanding of the new All Wales Induction Framework for Early Years and Childcare and reflects a range of different roles and ages. Completing this qualification enables learners to:
• Develop their knowledge and understanding of the core principles and values which underpin children’s care, play, learning and development practice
• Develop their knowledge and understanding of ways of working in the children’s care, play, learning and development sectors
• Develop knowledge and understanding which informs effective practice within children’s care, play, learning and development
• Have the core knowledge and understanding to support progression on to further study or employment within children’s care, play, learning and development.

Assessment:

The Level 2 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Core qualification is assessed through a combination of internal and external assessment. Candidates must successfully complete:
• Three externally set, internal scenario-based assessments; and• One externally set, externally marked multiple-choice test.

Practice

This qualification is delivered mainly in the workplace by a Vocational Coach, with integrated Zoom meetings.The learner must successfully complete;• An externally set, internally marked set of tasks• A portfolio of evidence• A professional discussion.

Candidates must successfully complete:
• Three externally set, internal scenario-based assessments; and
• One externally set, externally marked multiple-choice test.

Practice

This qualification is delivered mainly in the workplace by a Vocational Coach, with integrated Zoom meetings.
The learner must successfully complete;
• An externally set, internally marked set of tasks
• A portfolio of evidence
• A discussion with their assessor

Essential Skills

These qualifications are fundamental to the skills agenda in Wales. Essential Skills qualifications enable learners to develop their knowledge and application of numbers, communication and digital literacy skills. Essential Skills qualifications help learners to develop and demonstrate that they can apply these vital skills to a range of situations whilst at work, in learning and throughout life.

The qualifications are part of the apprenticeship framework and are taught through workshop delivery by Skills Coaches who are experts in this area. Skills Coaches offer a hybrid approach to teaching and learning ahead of learners completing the Controlled Task and Confirmatory Test. The qualifications comprise of a Controlled Task and end Confirmatory Online Test.

The task is completed in a supervised environment and the test must be invigilated. Both must be undertaken in one of our registered testing centres. Apprentices will also complete:
• Essential Application of Number (EAonS ) Level 1
• Essential Communication (ECommS) Level 1