This is a new course which is suitable for anyone who is interested in a career caring for others; including social work, nursing, being a paramedic, teaching, child care or nursery nursing. Assessment is done through coursework and the information is taught by looking at 4 mandatory units and 2 other units which concentrate on the area of care in which the student is interested, eg. Early years, the elderly or working with people with disabilities. All six units of work must be complete for a full award to be achieved. It is equivalent to up to 4 GCSE qualifications A* to C and more able students can work towards the equivalent of 2 GCSEs. It is a good foundation course for progression to Nationals Level 3 in the 6th Form and which provides the same weighting as 2 A-level passes, or students can progress to the CACHE level 3 course, or begin working in the area in which they are interested.

Mandatory units cover:
• How to give quality care to clients
• Communication skills
• Practical caring
• Hygiene and safety in care settings

2 additional units must be chosen from:

Early Years:
• Health Care for Children
• Development and Care of Young Children
• Preparing to Work with Young children

Elderly:
• Health care for older service users
• Preparing to work with older service users

Disabilities
• Preparing to work with Disabilities

General
• Practical first aid in care settings
• Nutrition and cooking for health
• Creative activities with individuals in care settings.

Some work experience is desirable with this course.

CACHE

Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education

This exciting course allows you to learn all necessary skills in caring for young children.

During this course you will learn how to care for young children and support their learning.

There is a chance of a work placement allowing you to learn on the job gaining ‘hands on’ experience.

Not only will you learn about the development of children you will be introduced to the following:

• The importance of play as part of learning.
• How to care for a baby, toddler, pre-school child and the school aged child.
• How to work in a child care setting such as a nursery.
• Look at nutrition and balanced diets where children are concerned.
• Research health and safety both in and out of the home.
• Looking at the child’s background and their individual needs.

This course is based on portfolio building and has a small multiple choice test at the end. This means that once you have completed all the necessary modules and the test you can work/revise on your other subjects.

There are two levels:
• Level 1 is equivalent to 3 D-G grades at GCSE
• Level 2 is equivalent to 5 A*-C grades at GCSE and can be studied at Sixth Form.

If you want to be a nursery assistant, pre-school assistant or work in a crèche and want to make a difference in the lives of young children then this is most definitely the course for you.