• Access Duration: 12 Months
• Awarded by: NCFE CACHE
• Credit Value: 6
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 50
• Total Qualifications Time (TQT): 60
• Qualification Number: 603/3642/0
• Qualification Level: 3
• UCAS Points: 8

• Design age-appropriate activities and environments.
• Identify and implement safety protocols and procedures for home-based childcare settings.
• Apply strategies for managing behaviour and supporting individual needs of children.
• Adhere to legal and regulatory requirements in home-based childcare.
• Develop skills for effective communication with parents and guardians to support children’s development.
• Implement health and hygiene practices to prevent illness and promote overall well-being.

• Registered Childminders
• Childminding assistants
• Home child carers
• Nannies
• Au pairs

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home-Based Childcare gives you the foundational knowledge and skills to design safe, nurturing, and engaging home-based childcare environments. Through this qualification, you’ll gain a solid understanding of regulations, child development, health and safety practices, and how to work effectively with families and children in a home setting.

Here are some careers you could pursue, along with typical UK salaries (Source: Glassdoor):

• Au Pairs – £12-£17 per hour
• Childminding Assistants – £22,000
• Home Child-carers – £22,000
• Registered Childminders – £35,000
• Nannies – £45,000

With this award, you can also progress to higher-level CACHE Certificates or Diplomas, taking on more specialised roles or leadership positions and boosting your earning potential over time.

• Learners over the age of 16 years are eligible to enrol for the course.
• It is recommended learners have a Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
• Intermediate ability in written and spoken English.
• This is a knowledge-only qualification; no placement in a real work environment is required.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (3 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (1 month) – 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 3 Award requires approximately 50 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

• Written Assignments: You must complete written assignments, which will be evaluated by a qualified assessor. Through these assignments you will demonstrate your understanding and ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
• Feedback and Guidance: These assignments are marked internally. You will receive detailed, constructive feedback and guidance from your personal tutor to help you improve and succeed.
• Assessor Support: You will have support from assessors available via telephone, WhatsApp, online discussion forums, email, and web chats, ensuring that you have access to help whenever you need it.

For further details or any specific questions about the assessment process, please click the ‘Enquire Now’ button below to get in touch with us.

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home-Based Childcare is designed to equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to create nurturing, safe, and stimulating childcare environments. This nationally recognised qualification supports you whether you’re starting your journey or expanding your skills, empowering you to foster meaningful learning and care for children with purpose.

Potential Academic Progression Pathways

• Step 01: Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner
• Step 02: Level 4 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Step 03: Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies or Child Development

Alternative Pathways

• Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid
• Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating qualifications, exams, and assessments in England. Ofqual ensures that all qualifications offered by recognised awarding organisations meet rigorous national standards, giving you confidence that any Ofqual-regulated certificate is high-quality and widely accepted by employers and universities.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is the system used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to standardise qualifications by level and size. Overseen by regulatory bodies such as Ofqual, the RQF ensures qualifications are consistent, transparent, and easily understood by learners, employers, and higher education institutions. All qualifications listed on the RQF are approved and awarded by recognised awarding organisations.