NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Playwork

About this CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Playwork Course

This is a great course for anyone working with children that wishes to further their knowledge in how play helps children’s development and learning. Units include principles of playwork and how to support children through play in a variety of settings. Frameworks in the UK are discussed as well as the rights of children in relation to playworkers.

See the NCFE CACHE qualification summary for this course

See the Ofqual Qualification summary for this course

Study Time:	240 hours
Enrolment length:	12 months
Course Format:	Online
Entry Requirements:	None specific

Upon completion of this qualification, students are awarded a CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Playwork and an OLC Certificate. All certification fees are included in your course fees. This qualification is suitable for a range of different career paths in settings such as:

• Playworkers
• Before and after school staff
• Creche workers

Qualification

This is a knowledge only qualification. Experience in the real work environment is not required and the entire course is completed online. Please note that this is a knowledge only Level 3 qualification and does not require any practical assessments. This course requires students to pass 8 tutor marked assignments. The qualification can be taken over a 12 month period but you can complete it as fast or as slowly as you wish.

CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Playwork Course Content

Included in this CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Playwork course are the following units:

Unit 1 – Understand play and the playwork principles

In this unit, you will learn about children and young people’s innate drive to play. You will also learn what is meant by play being a biological, psychological and sociological necessity.

You will be more aware of the differences between play and adult-led activities and what is meant by freely chosen, self-directed and intrinsically motivated play.

Finally, you will explore why playwork principles are so important in playwork practice.

Unit 2 – Creating supporting environments for children’s play

In this unit, you will learn about the various settings in which playwork can take place, as well as what contributes to a rich play environment and the provision of effective play spaces.

You will also investigate the importance of collecting information on children’s play needs and preferences through observations.

Finally, you will learn about the various types of play as well as the significance of appropriate playwork intervention. You will also look at the advantages of risk in play and the implementation of Risk-Benefit Assessments.

Unit 3 – Understand how to support the safeguarding of children in the playwork setting

The purpose of this unit is to give you the skills and knowledge you need to safeguard children and young people’s welfare.

This unit provides an overview of safeguarding and some key legislation surrounding it. Additionally, you will be able to learn how safeguarding differs from child protection.

You will also learn about the different types of abuse and serious safeguarding failures that lead to serious case reviews.

You will also learn about e-safety and bullying and how to keep children safe.

Unit 4 – Understand organisational frameworks to protect the rights of children

This unit will provide you with the knowledge that a playworker needs to understand children’s rights and how these rights are upheld in the playworker setting.

You will be more aware of the UNCRC articles relating to play and the importance of a rights-based approach.

Unit 5 – Understanding play and wellbeing

This unit will explain some of the most common factors that affect children’s emotional and mental well-being. You will also learn how play can help children express and self-regulate feelings and emotions.

You will learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how to support children who experience trauma in their lives.

Finally, you will learn how to support children to build resilience, self-esteem and confidence through the play environment and in your personal practice as a playworker.

Unit 6 – Understand relationships in the playwork setting

This unit covers the knowledge and understanding that a playworker needs to build relationships with children, between children and with other adults, including parents and those involved in the care of children. You will also learn how to support children to resolve conflict by themselves.

Unit 7 – Understand health, safety and security in the playwork setting

This unit covers the knowledge and understanding required to maintain health and safety in the playwork setting.

You will learn about the legal requirement for owners, managers and employers to take all necessary measures to keep staff and children safe from potential dangers. You will also learn how to deal with accidents, illnesses and emergencies.

Unit 8 – Engage in professional development and reflective practice

You will learn the value of reflective practice in playwork in this unit and how reflection helps with personal and organisational development.

You will be more aware of Continuing Professional Development and how to use learning opportunities to contribute to your professional development.

Online study and instant enrolment

All of our students are given access to our Online Campus through their own personal login and password. As soon as you complete your enrolment, you would have immediate access to your account which allows you to make a start working through the lessons. Tackle your assignments as your own pace and contact your tutor to access any help and support you need. The course itself is set out in a very simple layout, making it easy to work through the topics and complete your assessments.

Our Online Campus includes:

• Instant enrolment – access everything on your course from the moment you enrol.
• Personal account logins – login any time, 24/7.
• Full support throughout – message your tutor, use our online chat or give us a call.
• Online assignment submissions – upload work online from the comfort of home.
• Self-led learning – study at your own pace so you can pass much faster.
• Safe e-portfolio system – store all of your work in your account.
• Progression tracking – easily see what assignments you have left to complete.
• Details help centre – get instructions and guidance every step of the way.
• Unlimited attempts – submit as many attempts at your assignments as you need.

Unlimited assessment submissions

All of the assessments for this course are completed through our Online Campus. You can attempt each one as many times as needed to ensure you pass. After every attempt, your tutor will provide detailed feedback and tips on how you can improve going forward. Quickly see your progress during your studies by checking your progress bar and seeing the remaining assessments you need to complete.

Get full tutor support

Throughout your enrolment with the Online Learning College, you can access support at any time you need. All students are assigned a personal tutor who will mark all of your work and provide detailed feedback after every submission. Your tutor will be an industry expert with a full knowledge of the course content and will be able to help you at any point along your learning journey. One of the best tools at your disposal is your tutor – you can ask as many questions of them as you wish to and they will be happy to help at any time.

We also have a brilliant support team on hand and available through email, online chat and over the phone. This team is there to help with any questions which are more generic, such as providing support in submitting work through your account or getting your certificate when you have completed your course. We pride ourselves on ensuring the support you receive is the best in the business – help and guidance is fast and detailed every time you contact a member of the team.

Assessments

To pass this course learners must pass 8 assignments. These are completed after navigating through the corresponding lessons and writing your answers to assignment questions. Once these have been read and marked by your personal tutor, feedback and marks are provided to students which contain helpful tips to improve work in future assignments.

Enrolment Length

All of our courses are allocated plenty of time for students to complete their studies and all materials are self-led so that you can complete the course at your own pace, but you have access to the course on the Campus for 12 months from your enrollment date. Should you require additional time on one of our courses you can extend your enrolment by 30 days for an additional fee of £60. As well as this we operate a 14 day money back guarantee on every one of our qualifications- that’s how confident we are of how you will love studying with us!