Introducing the qualification
The NCFE/CACHE Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Homebased Childcare has been developed in collaboration with the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY). This qualification prepares learners to set up a homebased child-care setting as a registered childminder. It is also suitable for learners who wish to be employed in homebased child-care settings as child minding assistants, nannies, au-pairs or other home child-carers. There are no formal entry requirements but learners must over 16 years of age and will undertake an initial assessment to determine the appropriate level and optional unit. Unit 1 provides learners with the knowledge required to work with children in a homebased child care setting. It covers subject areas such as: legislation, child protection, safeguarding and health and safety. Unit 2 prepares learners to set up a homebased child care business. It covers: leading and managing a homebased setting, creating a buisness plan, registration and legal requirements. Unit 3 explores roles and responsibilities for the Nanny and covers: partnership working and expectations for the role. Workshop sessions will be online fortnightly for 2 hours and will cover the topics for each unit and support learners to build a portfolio of evidence for their qualification. An assessor will be assigned to each learner to support and give feedback on work submitted. A laptop or computer are needed to access the online sessions and portfolio, a mobile phone is not sufficient for the course.

Duration
There will be an expectation for candidates to achieve the qualification within 6 months.

Assessment
Assessment is through submission of evidence in a portfolio to demonstrate that the requirements are met to a relevant standard. An assessor will be assigned to support learners to build their portfolio.

Entry requirements
There are no formal qualification requirements. Candidates will undertake an initial assessment to determine the appropriate starting level. Candidates must be at least 16 years of age.

Qualification structure
Learners must achieve a total of 6 credits: 5 from the mandatory unit and 1 from an optional unit.

Delivery methods
An assessor will be assigned to support the learner through the qualification. There will also be mandatory workshops online, to support the learners through the knowledge and understanding which will be the basis for their written assignments to build their portfolio.

Mandatory Units
Unit 1 - Preparing to work as a homebased child-carer Optional units: Unit 2 - Preparing to set up a homebased child-care business Unit 3 - Exploring the role of the Nanny