• Access Duration:  1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level:  Level 2
• Qualification Number: 603/3477/0
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 309
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 370
• Credits: 37 

• Explain current legislation and procedures regarding the care, protection and welfare of children and young people.
• Describe the physical, social, and emotional development of children through play and leisure.
• Describe how a babysitter can help keep children safe from accidents and fires.
• Understand the stages of development for children from birth to age seven.
• Discover the basic care needs of young children and how to meet them in a hygienic way.
• Describe what parents can and cannot do to keep their kids safe and healthy.
• Explain the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle for children and families.
• Learn to choose toys and activities that are suitable for children under five years to help them learn.

This NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma Introducing Caring for Children and Young People is aimed at those who are new to the role and want to learn more about working with children.

This course is ideal for:

• School leavers
• Nursery assistants
• Childminders
• Parents
• Carers
• Volunteers
• Career changers
• Learners progressing from Level 1 qualifications

• Learners must be at least 14 years old.

• Standard Course Plan (6 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
• Fast Track Option (3 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.

Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time. We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 2 Diploma requires approximately 309 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

• No official examinations. 

• There is a portfolio of evidence that contains all of the assessment work. This could be case studies, reflective logs, professional discussion, oral questions and answers, learner work products and other valid evidence. Written assignments or tasks could be the production of a booklet or leaflet, the production of charts or diagrams or the establishment of an information board. 

• You may be asked to demonstrate your abilities in real or simulated work situations. 

• Assessments are marked internally by South London College assessors. 

• The grade for this qualification is Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. 

For those who want to achieve higher qualifications or become licensed practitioners, the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma Introducing Caring for Children and Young People is a good place to start. 

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway 

• Step 1: Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) 
• Step 2: Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner or Foundation Degree in Early Years 
• Step 3: Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BSc) in Early Childhood Studies 

Alternative Pathways  

• Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. 
• Specialised CPD courses in areas such as Safeguarding, SEND, or Playwork. 
• Level 2 Award in Babysitting or Preparation for the Responsibilities of Parenting (achievable within this Diploma) 

This NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma Introducing Caring for Children and Young People will give you the skills you need to find a job or volunteer in a childcare setting. This is the next step towards a qualification as a licensed practitioner. It helps you to decide if a career in early years is for you.

Here are some career opportunities you could pursue with this qualification as a foundation, along with approximate UK salaries. (Source: Glassdoor UK)

• Crèche Assistant – £26,500
• Family Support Assistant – £26,000
• Playworker – £25,000
• Childminder Assistant – £24,500
• Babysitter – £24,000
• Early Years Assistant – £23,500
• Nursery Assistant – £23,000

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual, the UK government’s Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual regulation ensures that the qualification meets national standards for quality, consistency, and fairness. It means the course content, assessment methods, and learning outcomes are carefully monitored, giving learners confidence that the qualification is credible, well recognised, and supports progression to further study or employment in the UK.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA. The RQF ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. The framework consists of nine levels, from Entry Level to Level 8, with each level indicating the complexity and depth of learning. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.