The care of young children is an expanding feature of our society – the need for qualified Child Care and Education Professionals is growing and students will be seeking a range of employment opportunities such as:
Supervisor in a nursery, day nursery or crèche
Pre-School/Crèche leader
Nursery or Teachers' Assistant
Nanny with a private family
The appropriate care of young children creates the need for a professional approach to child care and education. BCA has an established record of offering professional qualifications with an ethos of care, set in a practical working environment
Courses available: Click on a course to find out more
Level 1
Foundation Award in Caring for Children
Level 2
CACHE Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care and Education
Level 3
CACHE Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care and Education
Level 4
Higher Education Courses
Foundation Award in Caring for Children
(1 year)
This programme is specially designed for students who have a general interest in working with children.
Programme Content
This one year programme consists of seven units:
Personal Development
Health and Safety Practices
Human Growth and Development
Care of Children
Play and Practical Activities
Orientation to Work Programme
Food and Nutrition
There are also practical placements, which are taken in block weeks.
Assessment Method
This course is continually assessed through assignments and an external exam.
Entry Requirements
Four GCSEs at Grade E or above, or an Entry Certificate equivalent, plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Initial Assessment.
Progression
Successful candidates will be eligible to progress onto the CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Child Care and
Education or the BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care. This programme also provides underpinning knowledge for
National Vocational Qualifications and therefore supports entry to employment.
CACHE Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care Level 2 (1 year)
Programme Content
This one-year programme consists the following units:
- An introduction to working with children
- The developing child
- Safe, healthy and nurturing environments for children
- Children and play
- Communication and professional skills
- The childcare practitioner in the workplace
- Optional units (choose one)
There is a requirement of 65 days in a variety of work placements. The College will arrange these for all students and tutors will visit to assess progress.
Assessment Method
This course is continually assessed through assignments and an external exam.
Entry Requirements
Four GCSEs at Grade D or above, or Level 1 in childcare or related subject at Merit level, plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Initial Assessment.
Progression
Successful completion of this programme can lead to
employment in a variety of settings or progression onto the
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education.
NVQ Children’s Care, Learning and Development Level 2
This programme is suitable for assistants working under supervision in a childcare setting. The course enables candidates to demonstrate their ability, knowledge and understanding of how to work with children. The programme consists of underpinning knowledge sessions at College, and candidates are assigned an assessor who will assess competence in the workplace.
Please call 01628 827464 for more information.
CACHE Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care
and Education Level 3 (2 years)
This two-year full-time programme is designed to prepare you to work in a supervised role, competently, safely and effectively with children. The syllabus is designed to emphasise the integrated nature of work in the sector. It also prepares you to work in a wide range of settings, recognising the importance of providing a service for children and their families.
Programme Content
Units include:
- An introduction to working with children
- Development from conception to age 16 years
- Supporting children
- Keeping children safe
- The principles underpinning the role of the practitioner
- Promoting a healthy environment for children
- Play, learning and education
- Caring for children
- Practical Training/Practice Evidence Records/
Professional Development Profiles
Plus 3 optional units
You will learn through lectures, practical placements and workshop
activities. The placements take place within a range of child care settings.
An alternate week in week out system operates, allowing a full week in a practical
setting. Training takes place in a variety of placements with a variety of age groups, and a total of 140
days of practical training is recommended. Assessment is work based and at the end of the programme
there is a test paper covering all aspects of study throughout the programme.
Entry Requirements
You should possess one or more of the following:
A minimum of 5 GCSE’s at Grade C or above, to include English.
Certificate in Child Care and Education or a First Diploma in Caring at Merit level or above.
Plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Initial Assessment.
These conditions may be modified for mature students or for those with previous practical experience and training. Some experience of dealing with children – baby-sitting, school work experience etc is desirable.
Progression
Students successfully achieving this qualification may progress to further training at a higher level, such as the Foundation Degree in Development and Learning.
Employment opportunities include working as a Nursery Practitioner in a Nursery, Day Nursery or Crèche,
working as a nanny for a private family or in health centres with health visitors.
NVQ Level 3
This level 3 qualification is suitable for those working at supervisory level in a childcare setting. It enables candidates to demonstrate their ability, knowledge and understanding of planning and implementing an Early Years and Childcare curriculum. Candidates are assessed in the workplace.
Please call 01628 827464 for more information.
Click here details of our Higher Education Courses.
