NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork

This Course at a Glance

• Gain in-depth knowledge on playwork principles and practices
• Enhance your employability in playwork settings
• Get prepared for roles caring for children between ages 4 and 16
• Study your course online
• Work placement required
• No exams

About Your Course

This Level 3 Diploma in Playwork is a recognised qualification based on the National Occupational Standards. Not only will it help you build the skills and knowledge you need to become a qualified playworker or playwork practitioner, but it will also give you the confidence to carry out this role.

You will learn how to work with children and young people aged between 4 and 16, using a wide variety of play techniques, while also maintaining safe and secure environments.

Learning strategies and tactics for playwork at Level 3 means that you will become familiar with play frameworks and develop an understanding of the positive outcomes of play, health and safety issues in play environments and how to engage parents and families within play settings.

It is an ideal course for anyone who can see the benefits of learning through play and enjoys educating young children. If you appreciate taking part in, and planning, leisure activities, as well as the responsibility for supporting and safeguarding children, this Level 3 playwork qualification is the perfect training for you.

Getting Started

Modules

Unit 1: Understand Play and the Playwork Principles

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand why children play
• Understand what play is
• Understand where children can play
• Understand the purpose of the playwork principles 

Unit 2: Creating Supporting Environments for Children’s Play

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand where playwork can take place
• Understand play rich environments
• Understand the importance of collecting information on children’s play
• Understand the play cycle
• Understand how to provide play spaces
• Understand how to support children’s self-directed play
• Understand the importance of risk and challenge in play 
• Be able to reflect on children’s play

Unit 3: Understand Relationships in the Playwork Setting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how to develop relationships with children
• Understand how to support communication with children
• Understand how to support children in developing relationships with others 
• Understand how to communicate with adults

Unit 4: Understand How to Support the Safeguarding of Children in the Playwork Setting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the main legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding children 
• Understand the importance of working in partnership with other organisations to safeguard children
• Understand different forms of abuse that can affect children in a playwork context
• Understand how to respond when bullying is suspected or alleged
• Understand how to work with children to support their safety and wellbeing
• Understand the importance of e-safety for children

Unit 5: Understand Organisational Frameworks to Protect the Rights of Children

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the rights of the child 
• Understand how to contribute to policies and procedures that reflect children’s rights
• Understand how to maintain policies and procedures that reflect children’s rights

Unit 6: Contribute to Organisational Frameworks to Respond to all Children’s Needs and Preferences

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to identify children’s needs and preferences
• Be able to contribute to procedures that reflect children’s needs and preferences
• Be able to promote the value of play to others

Unit 7: Understand Play and Wellbeing

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the role of play for holistic development and wellbeing
• Understand factors that impact how children feel
• Understand the role of play for regulation
• Understand the factors affecting children’s mental health and wellbeing
• Understand the impact of transitions on children
• Understand the role of playwork in supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing

Unit 8: Understand Health, Safety and Security in the Playwork Setting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the legislative requirements and guidance for health, safety and security in the playwork setting
• Understand health, safety and security policies and procedures in a playwork setting
• Understand hazards in a playwork setting
• Understand how to respond to accidents and other emergencies in a playwork setting
• Understand how to respond to illnesses and allergies in a playwork setting
• Understand hygiene practice in a playwork setting

Unit 9: Maintain Healthy, Safe and Secure Environments in Playwork

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to establish a healthy, safe and secure playwork setting
• Be able to carry out risk benefit assessment in the playwork setting
• Be able to follow procedures for accidents, injuries, illnesses and other emergencies

Unit 10: Engage in Professional Development and Reflective Practice

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how reflection contributes to own professional development
• Understand how reflection improves organisational practice
• Be able to develop a plan for professional development
• Be able to use learning opportunities to contribute to professional development

Unit 11: Develop and Promote Relationships in the Playwork Setting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to develop relationships with children in a playwork setting
• Be able to communicate with children in a playwork setting
• Be able to support children in developing relationships in the playwork setting
• Be able to communicate with adults in the playwork setting
• Be able to reflect on relationships in the playwork setting

Unit 12: Prepare for and Support Children’s Play

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to analyse information on children’s play needs and preferences
• Be able to plan for children’s play
• Be able to prepare play spaces for children’s play
• Be able to support children’s play
• Be able to support children to risk take during play

 Unit 13: Supporting Inclusion in a Playwork Setting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand inclusion
• Understand the role of the playworker in relation to inclusion
• Understand barriers to inclusion
• Be able to promote a diverse and inclusive playwork setting
• Be able to work in ways that facilitate inclusion

 Unit 14: Explore Different Perspectives and Influences on Playwork

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand philosophical approaches which influence play provision
• Be able to use evidencebased practice to inform playwork

Unit 15: Organise Travel for Children

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand regulatory requirements, policies and procedures for organising children’s travel outside the play environment
• Understand how to make travel arrangements
• Understand how to support children’s travel outside the playwork setting
• Be able to organise and supervise travel of children

Unit 16: Understand Teamwork for Quality Playwork Practice

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand characteristics involved in effective playwork practice
• Understand how to contribute to the work of a playwork team
• Understand how to provide support to colleagues in a playwork team
• Understand theory in teamwork practice
• Be able to contribute to the work of a playwork team

Unit 17: Provide Food and Drink in a Playwork Setting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand regulatory and organisational requirements for providing food and drink in a playwork setting
• Understand the impact of nutrition on children’s health, wellbeing and play
• Know how to provide food and drink in a playwork setting
• Be able to provide food and drink in the playwork setting

Entry Requirements

Suitable work placement.

Minimum Age restriction

18

Average completion timeframe

The average completion time for this course is 12-18 months.

Assessment requirements

Assessments will be carried out using various evaluation mediums such as, observation of practice, witness statements, reflections, case studies, placement log and written questions.

Placement or Practical required

Learners will need to be working or have a placement in a suitable environment. Learners will need to demonstrate competence in both knowledge and skills in a play environment for ages 4-16 years as there will be direct observations carried out by our Assessors. The learner must have a supervisor or manager who can verify work, when necessary, as per the criteria. Note: The term verify does not mean the same as 'signing work off' – This will be someone who can confirm that the learner did what they are stating. Our assessor will make the judgement as to whether the work submitted meets the criteria.

If placement or practical required, when?

Work placement is required throughout the qualification.

Is Membership Required?

No.

Observation by us required

Direct Observations by our Assessors, in the work environment, are required with this course.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certification within 12 weeks of successfully completing the qualification. Please note this can be longer if a EQA sample is required

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

As part of the assessment for this qualification, you will be required to undergo direct observation in a suitable environment. 

CACHE

On completion of this course you will receive the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork (610/0645/2). This qualification is listed on the RQF.

CACHE is the UK's only specialist awarding organisation for the children and adult care sectors, with a portfolio of qualifications ranging from Entry to Level 5. Last year, over 150,000 learners registered with CACHE from over 1000 UK based Centres and overseas.

CACHE is an internationally recognised, specialist Awarding Organisation in the fields of Early Years, Care and Education, and Playwork. An Awarding Organisation is officially recognised and designated by the regulatory authorities to award qualifications in particular subject areas.

CACHE designs courses and qualifications in the care and education of children and young people. CACHE are the UK's only specialist Awarding Organisation to do this. CACHE's courses range from entry level to advanced qualifications for sector professionals.

CACHE continue to develop the most up to date and relevant qualifications for the new QCF and work closely with Sector Skills Councils to ensure the highest level of quality and a cutting-edge service to their customers, our learners, and the sector.

Please click here to visit the CACHE website.

Once you have your playwork qualification you will be able to work in a number of supervisory roles as:

• Manager of any playwork provision
• Hospital Playworker
• Playwork Development Officer

Further Qualifications and Prospects 

On completion of your NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork qualification you will either be able to go into or employment, or if you would like to study further and expand your skill set or progress into a specialist area, then consider our range of education courses.