NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Working with Babies and Young Children Under 2 Years

This qualification is designed as a continuing professional development (CPD) qualification for for adult learners who are already working or volunteering in an early years-related role, working with babies and young children under 2 years.

• Understand the full statutory and welfare requirements for caring for babies and very young children, as outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) — including safeguarding, health and safety, staff-to-child ratios.

• Recognise typical holistic development in children from birth to 2 years — including physical, social-emotional, cognitive, language/communication, and neurological development — and how early experiences (pre-birth, birth, infancy) may influence individual needs.

• Know how to work collaboratively with parents, carers, colleagues, and other professionals — communicate sensitively, share accurate information, maintain records, and advocate for the babies’ needs.

• Provide high-quality, responsive care in real settings, including physical care (feeding, nutrition, sleep, hygiene, physical activity), emotional care, and creating a safe and nurturing environment that evolves to suit babies’ developmental stages (mobile vs non-mobile), ensuring inclusion and respect for each child’s individuality.

• Support early learning and development for under-2s: plan and offer stimulating, enabling, and inclusive environments and interactions; promote communication and language; encourage positive physical, social, and cognitive development; and evaluate how everyday experiences support growth.

• Reflect on and review your own practice: use evidence-based approaches, observe and assess your care practices, and share best practices with others — improving the quality of care for babies under 2 in early years settings.

Learners registered on this qualification should not undertake another qualification at the same level, or with the same/a similar title, as duplication of learning may affect funding eligibility. To enrol you will need an interview and have achieved English FSL2 or GCSE Grade 4 and above. The learner must be either employed in an early years practitioner role or in a volunteering role in an early years setting to be able to meet the assessment requirements of this qualification

To achieve the qualification you will need to complete one written assignment, an internally assessed portfolio of evidence, which is assessed by COBC staff and externally quality assured by NCFE. This qualification is not full and relevant. It is a professional development unit of study to improve professional skills for practitioners working or volunteering with babies and young children under 2 years.

Future studies could include the full and relevant Level 3 Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) Diploma Level 3. Or if you have achieved Level 3 Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) you can apply for Level 4/5 Lead Early Years courses, Early Years Teacher Training courses or inclusive Education Foundation Degrees.

Fees are £288. There is funding available under FCFJ. Please contact a centre to assess your eligibility.