• Access Duration:  1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level:  Level 3
• Qualification Number: 603/7635/1
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 36
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 80
• Credits: 8

• Define play that is freely chosen, personally directed and self-motivated.
• Explain why play is important for children’s physical, mental and social development.
• Identify what’s preventing people from playing in the community and find practical solutions.
• Identify the opportunities and issues for children to play in the community.
• Describe the Playwork Principles and the fundamental ideas that support playwork.
• Demonstrate how to support children’s play processes in a play-based learning environment.
• Reflect on your own practice and review how your organisation supports play.

If you already hold a full Level 3 qualification in childcare, education or a related field and work, or want to work, in playwork settings with children aged 4 to 16, you can take the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork.

This specialist course is ideal for:

• Qualified Early Years Educators
• Childcare Practitioners
• Teaching Assistants
• Support Staff in Schools
• Youth Workers
• Community Workers
• Residential Childcare Workers
• Forest School Leaders
• Outdoor Education Practitioners
• Career Changers
• Returning Learners
• CPD Seekers

• You must be aged 18 or over.
• You need to have a minimum of 2 years’ working experience in childcare or education.
• You must hold an appropriate full Level 3 competency-based qualification in education, childcare or another relevant area.
• You must be engaged in work or an appropriate practical placement.

• 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 36 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

Internal Assessment: South London College will internally assess your portfolio.

Portfolio and Practical Assessment: You will demonstrate your knowledge and practical skills with a portfolio of evidence that you gather. Examples of evidence are reflective essays, work products related to the topic, written assignments, professional discussions, direct observation, case studies, learner logs, activity plans and oral questions and answers.

Grading: The qualification is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved.

Not sure how the assessment process works? Contact us.

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork is a good first step for professionals looking to continue learning and grow as professionals. It can support them to achieve competence-based playwork qualifications or to progress to higher levels of study.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway

• Step 1: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork
• Step 2: NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner
• Step 3: Foundation Degree in Playwork, Early Years, Childhood Studies or a related subject
• Step 4: BA/BSc (Hons) Top-Up Degree in Playwork, Childhood Studies or a related subject
• Step 5: Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Alternative Pathways 

• Competence-based playwork qualifications at Level 3 (upon gaining sufficient work experience in a playwork role).
• Specialised CPD courses in areas such as therapeutic play, outdoor learning, or inclusive play practice.
• Leadership and management qualifications for play and youth settings

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork gives you specialist knowledge that could help you gain employment within playwork or out-of-school childcare.

Here are some career opportunities you could pursue as you gain experience and complete this qualification, along with approximate UK salaries. (Source: Glassdoor UK)

• Playwork Development Officer – £32,000
• Play Therapist – £31,000
• Playwork Manager – £30,000
• Youth Worker – £29,000
• Holiday Club Manager – £29,000
• Playworker – £26,000
• After-School Club Practitioner – £25,000
• Adventure Playground Worker – £25,000
• Playwork Assistant – £22,000

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.