NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork.

Suitable work placement.

Minimum Age restriction

18

Average completion timeframe

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

Assessement 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.

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

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.

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

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