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What qualifications are required?

If you have a qualification in childcare please look to see if it is listed on the first list below. If it is and at the same level as your qualification then this will be acceptable for the Childcare Approval Scheme (CAS) and you will just need to produce your certificate when you apply for approval.

If you do not have a qualification, or you have one but it is not on this list, then you will need to attend an induction course in childcare before you can apply for approval. The second list will show which induction courses are acceptable for approval under the CAS or, if you have a qualification which is not on the list but you can provide documentary evidence of the course content and name of the Awarding Body for the qualification you have obtained, then we will consider whether the course meets the criteria for approval. To be acceptable a course must contain:

Principles of good practice in Child Protection
Good health and safety practice
Food hygiene
Providing suitable activities for children of different ages
An awareness of equal opportunity issues

Please phone the helpline on 0845 767 8111 (calls are charged at the local rate or higher from a mobile or public phone) if you have any further queries.

Title	Sublevel	Awarding Body Name
A Question of Play	2	Manchester Play Team
ABC Level 2 Certificate in Playwork	2	ABC
Advanced Certificate in Childcare and Education	3	NAMCW
Advanced Certificate in Learning Support Competences	3	City and Guilds
Advanced Certificate in Playgroup Practice	3	NCFE
Advanced Certificate in Playwork	3	NCFE
Advanced Diploma in Child Care and Education	4	CACHE
AMI Montessori International Diploma (3 - 6 years)	4	Association Montessori International
BA (Hons) Childhood Studies (With recognised practitioner Status)	N/A	University of Wolverhampton
Baby and Toddler Montessori Diploma	4	Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre
BAND Playwork Foundation Course	2	Bristol Assoc. of Neighbourhood Daycare
BAND Senior Playwork Course	3	Bristol Assoc. of Neighbourhood Daycare
BTEC First Diploma in Caring	2	BTEC
BTEC First Diploma in Early Years	2	Edexcel
BTEC Higher Nationals in Childhood Studies	3	BTEC
BTEC HNC's in Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families	4	BTEC
BTEC National Award in Early Years	3	BTEC
BTEC National Certificate in Care	3	Edexcel
BTEC National Certificate in Childhood Studies (Nursery Nursing)	3	BTEC
BTEC National Certificate in Early Years	3	BTEC
BTEC National Diploma in Care	3	Edexcel
BTEC National Diploma in Caring (Nursery Nursing)	3	BTEC
BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies (Nursery Nursing)	3	BTEC
BTEC National Diploma in Early Years	3	BTEC
BTEC National Diploma in Early Years	3	BTEC
BTEC National Diploma in Science (Nursery Nursing)	3	BTEC
BTEC Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People	4	Edexcel
Care and Education in the Early Years 1119	3	NOCN
Caring and Working with Children	3	NOCN
Caring for Children	2	NOCN
Caring for Children (0-7 years)	2	City and Guilds
CertHE in Steiner Waldorf Early Years Education	3	Steiner Waldolf Schools Fellowship
Certificate for Teaching Assistants	2	CACHE
Certificate for Teaching Assistants	3	CACHE
Certificate for Teaching Assistants	2	NCFE
Certificate for Teaching Assistants	3	NCFE
Certificate in Child Care and Education	2	CACHE
Certificate in Child Care and Education	2	CACHE
Certificate in Childcare and Education	3	NOCN
Certificate in Childcare Practice 1492	2	NOCN
Certificate in Childminding Practice	3	CACHE
Certificate in Contributing to the Early Years Setting	2	City and Guilds
Certificate in Creche Management	3	NCFE
Certificate in Early Years Care and Education	3	NOCN
Certificate in Early Years Care and Education	2	NOCN
Certificate in Early Years Curriculum Development	3	NCFE
Certificate in Early Years Practice	2	CACHE
Certificate in Effective Parenting 3575	1	NCFE
Certificate in Implementing the High/Scope Approach	3	CACHE
Certificate in Managing Quality Standards in Children's Services	4	CACHE
Certificate in Montessori Education for Qualified Nursery Nurses	3	Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre
Certificate in Nursery Management Skills	3	NAMCW
Certificate in Nursery Nursing	3	NNEB
Certificate in Playgroup Practice	2	NCFE
Certificate in Playwork	2	CACHE
Certificate in Playwork	2	CACHE
Certificate in Playwork 3594	2	NCFE
Certificate in Pre-School Practice	2	PLA
Certificate in Pre-School Practice	2	CACHE
Certificate in Sessional Creche Work	2	NCFE
Certificate in Supporting Children's Education 3568	2	NCFE
Certificate in Supporting Playwork Practice	2	CACHE
Certificate in Work with Children	3	City and Guilds
Certificate in Work with Children (early years)	3	CACHE
Certificate in Work with Children (playwork)	3	CACHE
Child Care in Practice	2	NOCN
Childcare and Education 1096	2	NOCN
Childcare and Education 256	2	NOCN
Childcare and Education 3859	2	NOCN
Childcare and Education 716	3	NOCN
Childcare and Education 716	2	NOCN
Childcare and Education in Early Years 562	3	NOCN
Childcare and Education in the Early Years (Early Years ) 562	2	NOCN
Childcare and Education in the Early Years (Play Work ) 562	2	NOCN
Childcare Awards Programme 2907	3	NOCN
Childcare Awards/Programmes 3859	3	NOCN
Classroom Skills 49259	3	NOCN
Community Care Award with Childcare and Education Option 3204	2	NOCN
Creche Workers Course	2	NOCN
Creche Workers Course (Play Work ) 3013	2	NOCN
Diploma in Child Care and Education	3	CACHE
Diploma in Early Years Practice	3	CACHE
Diploma in Nursery Nursing	3	NAMCW
Diploma in Nursery Nursing	3	NNEB
Diploma in Nursery Nursing	3	NNEB
Diploma in Nursery Nursing (integrated scheme)	3	NNEB
Diploma in Playgroup Practice	3	PLA
Diploma in Playgroup Practice in Wales	3	CACHE
Diploma in Playwork	3	CACHE
Diploma in Pre-school Practice	3	PLA
Diploma in Pre-School Practice	3	CACHE
Diploma in Pre-School Practice	3	PLA
Diploma in Supporting Playwork Practice	3	CACHE
Early Childhood Curriculum 2.5 - 6 yrs	4	Montessori Centre International Examination Board
Early Childhood Teaching	4	London Montessori Centre
Early Years Care and Education 516	2	NOCN
Education and Care in Early Years 2385 2950	2	NOCN
Entry Level Certificate in Preparation for Childcare	1	CACHE
Essential Play	3	Manchester Play Team
Everyone Can Play	2	Playwork Partnerships
Foundation Award in Caring for Children	2	CACHE
Foundation Degree in Steiner Waldorf Early Years Education	3	Steiner Waldolf Schools Fellowship
Foundation Management in Caring for Children	3	City and Guilds
Higher Education Certificate in Playwork	3	Northumbria University at Newcastle
Initial Training for Classroom Assistants (Stage 1) 3460	2	NCFE
Initial Training for Classroom Assistants (Stage 1) National Award	2	NCFE
Initial Training for Classroom Assistants (Stage 2) 3561	2	NCFE
Initial Training for Classroom Assistants (Stage 2) National Award	2	NCFE
Intermediate Certificate in Developing Skills for Working with Children and Young People	2	NCFE
Intermediate Certificate in Developing Skills in Early Years Practice (Creche Work/Playgroup Work)	2	NCFE
Intermediate Certificate in Midday Supervision	2	NCFE
Intermediate Certificate in Playwork	2	NCFE
International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy Early Childhood Teaching Course for Graduates and NNEBs (2.5 - 6 years)	4	Montessori Centre International Examination Board
International Montessori Diploma	4	Montessori College Wimbledon Teacher Training Centre
International Montessori Diploma	4	Montessori College Wimbledon Teacher Training Centre
International Montessori Early Childhood Diploma	4	Montessori College Wimbledon Teacher Training Centre
Introducing Playwork	1	SkillsActive
Introduction to Pre-School Practice	2	PLA
Introductory Certificate in Working with Children 3572	1	NCFE
Learning Support Assistants Programme 49259	2	NOCN
Level 1 National Award in Effective Learning	1	NCFE
Level 1 National Award in Effective Parenting	1	NCFE
Level 1 National Award in Working with Children	1	NCFE
Level 2 Certificate in Developing Skills for Early Years Practice (creche work/playgroup work	2	NCFE
Level 2 Certificate in Developing Skills for Working with Children and Young People	2	NCFE
Level 2 Certificate in Midday Supervision	2	NCFE
Level 2 Certificate in Playwork	2	NCFE
Level 2 National Award Playwork	2	NCFE
Level 2 National Award Supporting Children's Education	2	NCFE
Management Development for Early Years Practitioners 457	2	NOCN
Management Development for Early Years Practitioners 457	3	NOCN
Montessori Baby and Toddler Certificate	3	Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre
Montessori Certificate (2 - 6 years)	3	Bournemouth Montessori Examination Board
Montessori Diploma	3	Montessori College Wimbledon Teacher Training Centre
Montessori Diploma (2 - 6 years)	4	Bournemouth Montessori Examination Board
Montessori Early Childhood Certificate	4	Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre
Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Diploma	4	Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre
Montessori International Diploma (2 - 6 years)	4	Bournemouth Montessori Examination Board
Montessori National Certificate (2 - 6 years)	3	Bournemouth Montessori Examination Board
Montessori Primary Teaching Diploma	4	Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre
N003 Certificate in Effective Learning	1	NCFE
Nationals in Health, Social Care, Early Years	3	OCR
NNEB Diploma in Post-Qualifying Studies	3	NNEB
Northamptonshire Child Care Core Training	2	NOCN
NVQ Level 2 in Childcare and Education	2	CEYA
NVQ Level 2 in Childcare and Education	2	CACHE
NVQ Level 2 in Childcare and Education	2	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 2 in Childcare and Education	2	Edexcel
NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education	2	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education	2	Edexcel
NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education	2	CACHE
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork	2	CACHE
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork	2	Edexcel
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork	2	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork	2	OCR
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork	2	Edexcel
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork	2	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork	2	CACHE
NVQ Level 2 in Teaching Assistants	2	BTEC
NVQ Level 2 in Teaching Assistants	2	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 2 in Teaching Assistants	2	CACHE
NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People	3	Edexcel
NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People	3	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People	3	CACHE
NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education	3	CACHE
NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education	3	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education	3	Edexcel
NVQ Level 3 in Playwork	3	CACHE
NVQ Level 3 in Playwork	3	Edexcel
NVQ Level 3 in Playwork	3	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 3 Teaching/Classroom Assistants	3	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 3 Teaching/Classroom Assistants	3	CACHE
NVQ Level 3 Teaching/Classroom Assistants	3	BTEC
NVQ Level 4 in Early Years Care and Education	4	Edexcel
NVQ Level 4 in Early Years Care and Education	4	City and Guilds
NVQ Level 4 in Early Years Care and Education	4	CACHE
Organising Playwork	3	Manchester Play Team
Play and Adventure	2	Manchester Play Team
Playwork Basics	1	Common Thread Consultancy
Playworkers Against Racism	3	Playwork Partnerships
Postgraduate Certificate in Montessori Education	4	Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre
Preliminary Diploma in Nursery Nursing	2	NNEB
Progression Award in Early Years Care and Education	2	City and Guilds
Progression Award in Playwork	2	City and Guilds
Short Course for Creche Workers	2	NOCN
Steiner Waldorf Early Years and Education (Certificate)	2	Steiner Waldolf Schools Fellowship
Steiner Waldorf Early Years and Education (Diploma)	3	Steiner Waldolf Schools Fellowship
The Care and Child Care Programme (Play Work ) 493	3	NOCN
The Care and Childcare Programme (Early Years ) 493	2	NOCN
The Care and Childcare Programme (Play Work ) 493	2	NOCN
The Child and Childcare Programme 493	3	NOCN
Understanding Children (0 - 8 years) 317	2	NOCN
Understanding Children (0 - 8 years) 317	3	NOCN
Vocational Childcare and Education 860	2	NOCN
Working with Children 1871	2	NOCN
Working with Under 2's Certificate	2	PLA
Working with Young Children 587	2	NOCN
Working with Young Children 587	3	NOCN

Induction Courses

Below is a list of Induction Courses whose content meets the qualification criteria of the Childcare Approval Scheme.

To be acceptable a course must contain:

Principles of good practice in Child Protection
Good health and safety practice
Food hygiene
Providing suitable activities for children of different ages
An awareness of equal opportunity issues

"Working with Parents" is a theme that will inevitably arise from discussion of other topics and in addition is more a contractual issue between parent and carer.

For attendance-based courses we require that (as a minimum) you produce a letter from the college to say that you have attended all of the sessions in the course.

For distance leaning courses we require that (as a minimum) you produce a letter from the college to say that you have submitted all internal assignments.

In the case of the NEC ICP course we require that (as a minimum) you produce a letter from the college to say that you have submitted all three internal assessments to the NEC for marking.

This list will be updated as new induction courses are approved as acceptable.

Title	Sublevel	Awarding Organisation / Body Name
Childminding Registration Course	Induction	Newcastle upon Tyne Early Education and Childcare Service
Foundation Childminding Course	Induction	Devon Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership
Home Childcare	Induction	Dorset County Council and Dorset Sure start
Unit 1 Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP)	Induction	CACHE (The National Extension College offers this induction course as a home study course and most Local Authorities deliver the course on site or through local training providers/colleges)
Introduction into Childminding	Induction	Community Education Lewisham (CEL)
MNT (Maternity & Nanny Training)	Induction	Open College Network (Currently available in a number of colleges in the south-east)
Professional Childminding	Induction	Torbay Local Authority - Tameside
TROCN Childminding training (level 2)	Induction	SureStart Stockton-on-Tees
Running a Parent & Toddler Group	Training Induction	Open College Network - South Central
Introduction to Nannying /Childminding Practise it will be delivered by The Riverside Training Company and the awarding body is CACHE. The course is London based and for more information contact Jill Wheatcroft, Gaby Morris or Heather Wilkinson at Riverside Training on 0207 374 6364 or email riversidechild@btconnect.com
CACHE ICP (Introduction to Childminding Practice) delivered by Tinies Childcare Training Centre over two Saturdays, 9 am – 4 pm, in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Cost is £125 per person. Contact Tinies Childcare Training Centre on 01628 478843 or 07900 983236 or e-mail: contact@tvtraining.wanadoo.co.uk. For more information see www.tinieschildcare.co.uk
Unit 1 Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) forms part of the CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice (CCP). You can find your local centre by using the search engine at http://www.cache.org.uk/pages/ cache_centres/select.php?ccode=CCP-L3 or alternatively you can obtain details of courses by calling 01727 818 616. The unit runs for 12 hours and centres differ on how they deliver the course (e.g. some are 6 sets of 2 hour sessions and some are 2 sets of 6 hours sessions). Course prices differ between centres.
MNT Training deliver 2 childcare training courses suitable for the Childcare Approval Scheme: 1. The CACHE ICP (Introduction to Childcare Practice) for nannies / au-pairs / childminders. This is delivered monthly in London. 2. The OCN Childcare Approval Induction Course for nannies / au-pairs. This is studied at home using a self study pack and hence can be taken by those living anywhere in the UK. Students can take this course at any time. For more information please call MNT Training on: 0870 2202657 or email:info@mnttraining.co.uk or log on to: www.mnttraining.co.uk/training.
The National Extension College offers the unit in an open learning context. More details can be found at http://www.nec.ac.uk/courses/product? product_id=821&category_id=2381 or by calling 0800 389 2839.
In addition to the above courses Skills Active also offer Introducing Playwork which is acceptable for this scheme. However, in order to obtain the certificate candidates must spend time on a work placement or employment opportunity as part of their training. For further details please contact http://www.playwork.org.uk/Work/COP.php4 or by calling 020 7632 2000.
London Borough of Hounslow are delivering CACHE ICP (Introduction to Childminding Practice) for nannies and au pairs over two Saturdays, 9.30 am to 5 pm at Chiswick Adult Education Centre. An optional exam will be open to candidates on a weekday evening. Cost is £110 per person and includes admin fees, 2 days of tutorial, exam fees and course handouts. For more information and bookings contact Gaynor Mcilvenna at Hounslow Children's Information Service on 020 8583 2622 or e-mail: gaynor.mcilvenna@hounslow.gov.uk
@Home Childcare delivers the CACHE Introduction to Childcare Practise for home childcarers such as nannies and childminders. All @Home Childcare courses are based in the Nottinghamshire area. For more information, please telephone @HCC on 0845 0760042 or email, info@homechildcare.co.uk or refer to the website, www.athomechildcare.co.uk.

As well as meeting the criteria for qualifications you will need to ensure you also possess a relevant paediatric First Aid course which meets the criteria set out on the First Aid page at http://www.childcareapprovalscheme.co.uk/carer/firstaid.asp

Applicants who have lived abroad

Any evidence you produce from countries other than Great Britain must also be from a verifiable source and if necessary translated into English by an accredited translation agency, embassy or high commission.

However, due to the time it can take to verify the evidence you may wish to consider attending an acceptable induction and /or first aid course in England.