Description
NCFE CACHE Level 1 Diploma in Caring for Children
- £427
- *Prices shown are all-inclusive of VAT—no extra charges!
- Priority Track option available
Why Study with us?
- Priority-track assessments and workbook marking
- For learners aged 14+ who are new to caring for children
- Flexible, self-paced study – most learners finish in 6–9 months
- Courses designed and assessed by subject-qualified industry trainers and assessors
- One-to-one live sessions (if desired) with expert tutors
Level 1 Diploma in Caring for Children Course Overview
The NCFE CACHE Level 1 Diploma in Caring for Children is an Ofqual-regulated introduction to looking after babies and young children, open to anyone aged 14 or over. It is the largest of NCFE’s three Level 1 caring for children qualifications (Award, Certificate and Diploma), so it gives you the broadest grounding at this level: how young children grow and develop, how they learn through play, how to keep them safe and healthy, and how to listen to and talk with a young child. It is knowledge-based, so you do not need to be working with children.
Alongside these core topics, you will explore the kinds of activities young children enjoy – science, craft and play in the community – and learn how healthy eating and healthy living support the whole family. The units build confidence as well as knowledge, which makes this a good first step if you are not yet sure which area of care suits you. If you would also like to explore adult care, take a look at our Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings.
Career Opportunities and Progression after the Level 1 Diploma in Caring for Children
A Level 1 childcare qualification is a starting point rather than a job qualification: on its own, it will not allow you to be counted in staff:child ratios in a nursery or other registered early years setting. What it does give you is a recognised certificate and a solid understanding of children’s care and development, which can support applications for college courses, apprenticeships and volunteering, and help in your own family life.
Most learners use the Diploma as a stepping stone to Level 2 study. From the age of 16, you could progress to our Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner, which leads to Level 2 practitioner roles in early years settings, or the Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. If you are 14 or 15, short Level 2 awards such as the Level 2 Award in Babysitting or the Level 2 Award in Preparation for the Responsibilities of Parenting are a natural next step.
Do I need a work placement to complete this course?
No. This is a knowledge-only qualification, so you do not need to be working with children or complete a placement, and everything is studied and assessed online. If you do spend time with young children – in your family, a youth group or a volunteering role – you may find it helpful to draw on those experiences in your assignments, but it is not a requirement.
There are no exams. You build a portfolio of evidence that is internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE. Tasks are varied and practical – for example written answers, leaflets, booklets, charts and information posters. The qualification is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. Assignments are marked within 3–5 working days, or 1–3 working days on Priority Track.
To achieve the Diploma you must complete at least 37 credits, including a minimum of 25 credits from Group A. Our programme covers the following 13 units.
Group A
Unit 01: Sharing Learning Experiences with Children
Unit 02: Growth and Development of Young Children
Unit 03: Respecting and Valuing Children
Unit 04: Children’s Play and Leisure Activities in the Community
Unit 05: Science Activities for Young Children
Unit 06: Practical Health and Safety When with Young Children
Unit 07: Craft Activities for Young Children
Unit 08: Understanding Learning and Development Through Play
Unit 09: Safeguarding the Welfare of Children and Young People
Group B
Unit 10: Confidence Building for the Young Child Through Play
Unit 11: Healthy Eating for Families
Unit 12: Listening to and Talking with a Young Child
Unit 13: Healthy Living
The qualification has 320 guided learning hours (GLH) and a total qualification time (TQT) of 370 hours. Study is self-paced, and most learners complete it in 6–9 months, depending on how much time they can give each week. Your enrolment includes 12 months’ access to the learning platform and tutor support from the date you enrol; if you need more time, you can extend your access for a re-enrolment fee.
Qualification Number: 501/1015/9
NCFE is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, ensuring that all qualifications adhere to rigorous standards.
Vocational Courses we offer in Bundle
Pricing Plans
Standard One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£427*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 3 – 5 working days
Standard Monthly
Spread the cost of £491.04 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£81.84*inc. VAT
per month
Priority Track One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£491*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 1 – 3 working days
Priority Track Monthly
Spread the cost of £564.66 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£94.11*inc. VAT
per month
Discounted Business/Corporate Purchases
Enjoy Bulk Discounts
The following bulk discounts are applicable to our corporate clients:
5% for booking 3 learnersÂ
10% for booking 5 or more learnersÂ
15% for booking 10 or more learners
For enquiries, please contact our sales team at +44 20 8178 4802
Flexible Payment Options
Take advantage of a 30-day payment term when buying 5 or more courses. Please note that an upfront payment will be required unless you are a regular buyer.
Course reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
This Level 1 childcare course is for anyone aged 14 or over who wants a friendly introduction to caring for young children. It suits school learners exploring careers, parents and carers, adults returning to learning, and anyone considering a future in childcare or early years who would like to build knowledge and confidence before moving on to Level 2.
You will learn how babies and young children grow and develop, why play matters for learning, how to keep children safe and healthy, the basics of safeguarding, how to listen to and talk with a young child, and how healthy eating and healthy living support families. You will also learn about science, craft and community play activities for young children.
Yes. The course is delivered 100% online through our learning platform, so you can study from home at your own pace. You have unlimited tutor support throughout, with optional one-to-one live sessions if you would like extra help.
Not on its own. Level 1 qualifications are introductory, so they do not allow you to be counted in staff:child ratios in a nursery or other registered early years setting. To work as a practitioner, you would normally progress to a Level 2 or Level 3 early years qualification. The Level 1 Diploma is a useful first step towards that goal and can strengthen applications for college courses, apprenticeships or volunteering.
All three NCFE CACHE qualifications draw on the same bank of units – the difference is size. The Award has 85 guided learning hours, the Certificate 229 and the Diploma 320, so the Diploma covers the widest range of topics. If you have already achieved the Level 1 Award or Certificate, you may be able to count those units towards the Diploma – please ask our admissions team.
You must be aged 14 or over. There are no formal academic entry requirements, but you will need basic reading and writing skills to complete written tasks, and access to a computer or tablet with an internet connection.
No. There are no fixed deadlines for individual assignments, so you can study at your own pace as long as you complete the course within your access period.
This qualification is awarded by NCFE, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, under its CACHE brand for childcare and early years qualifications. On successful completion you will receive an NCFE CACHE certificate.
Qualification Number: 501/1015/9
If you still have any questions, please refer to our main FAQs page or contact us for further assistance.
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