Progress with CACHE Qualifications

CACHE qualifications run from Entry Level to Level 4, helping you progress up the career ladder in your chosen profession. To find out more about these qualifications and job role, please see our Qualifications Directory. Each level consists of VQ - Vocational Qualifications and NVQ - National Vocational Qualifications.

Click here for a brief description of VQ and NVQ Qualifications

Level 4

VQs
CACHE Level 4 Certificate in Managing Quality Standards in Children’s Services
Verifier Awards

NVQs
NVQ Level 4 in Children’s Care Learning and Development

Level 3

VQs
CACHE Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care and Education
CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre-school Practice
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare
CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage Practice
CACHE Level 3 Award in Early Years and Child Care for Playworkers
CACHE Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Years and Child Care Workers
CACHE Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Playwork
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Care and Education (Welsh Medium)
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playgroup Practice in Wales
CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
CACHE Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Support Work in Schools
CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People

NVQs
NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
NVQ Level 3 in Playwork
NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care
NVQ Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Assessor Awards

Level 3 Job Roles

Level 3 qualifications are suitable for working unsupervised in the following type of role:
Nursery Officer in Charge • Residential Child Care Worker • Family Centre Manager • Family Careworker • Nursery Nurse • Pre-school Leader • Crèche Leader • Childminder • Senior Playworker/Co-ordinator • Special Educational Needs Supporter • Toy Library Leader • NVQ Assessor • Teaching Assistant

Level 2

VQs

CACHE Level 2 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Child Care and Education
CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Pre-school Practice
CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Early Years Care and Education (Welsh Medium)
CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Playwork
CACHE Level 2 Certificate Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
CACHE Level 2 Award/Certificate in Support Work in Schools

NVQs
NVQ Level 2 in Playwork
NVQ Level 2 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
NVQ Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Level 2 Job Roles

Level 2 qualifications are suitable for working under supervision in following type of role:
Family Support Worker in a Family Centre • Parent/Toddler Group Assistant • Homestart Worker • Nursery Assistant • Pre-school Assistant • Crèche Assistant • Toy Library Worker • Holiday Playscheme Worker • Playgroup Assistant • Teaching Assistant

Entry Level and Level 1

CACHE Entry Level Certificate in Preparation for Child Care
CACHE Foundation Award in Caring for Children
CACHE Level 1 Award in Getting Started in a Pre-school Setting

Vocational Qualifications and National Vocational Qualifications

A Vocational Qualification (VQ) covers the skills and knowledge that learners need to carry out a job role at an agreed level. To achieve their VQ, learners must have attended a course, usually at a college of further education, and have successfully completed a test and a number of assignments.

A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is undertaken in the workplace and shows that learners have proved their competence against a set of nationally agreed occupational standards. This means they need to be doing their job at the same level as the qualification they are taking. To achieve an NVQ, a qualified NVQ Assessor will visit the workplace to assess the learners competence and related knowledge in practice.