Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare CACHE Award Level 3 (RQF)

Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare CACHE Award Level 3 (QCF)

The childcare industry is already a major employer of women and this childminders course provides huge opportunity for female entrepreneurs to start up and run their own businesses.

So if you love looking after children and love to be around them, then starting a home based childcare business could be a great choice for you. A childcare business can be emotionally rewarding, fun and financially lucrative.

The Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare CACHE Award Level 3 QCF (601/3527/X) is the qualification that allows you to set up a home-based childcare setting as a registered childminder; this could also include roles such as a nanny, au pair or childminding assistant.

The qualification has been developed in collaboration with the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY).

Overview of the course

Unit 1 will provide learners with the knowledge required to work with children in a home based childcare setting. It covers subject areas such as:

• Legislation and regulation relating to home based childcare
• Safeguarding and child protection
• Health and safety in a home based environment
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
• Day to day care routines for children
• Children’s learning and development

Unit 2 prepares learners to set up a home based childcare business. It covers:

• How to start a home based childcare setting
• Leading and managing a home based childcare setting
• Financial and taxation requirements
• Create a childminding business plan
• Registration requirements for home based child carers.

Do I need to have access to practical placement in order to complete this course?

This is a knowledge-only qualification and so no placement in a real work environment is required.

How long does it take to complete?

It is possible to complete this qualification in 2 weeks (full time). Learners should be at least 16 years old; we do not set any other entry requirements.

What can I do once I have successfully completed the Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare CACHE Award Level 3 course?

The qualification is suitable for learners wishing to work as:

• Registered childminders
• childminding assistants
• nannies
• au pairs
• other child carers in home based settings

What related qualifications can you progress to?

Although it does not provide direct progression, the subjects covered in this Award make a useful introduction to CACHE’s Early Years Educator qualifications.

What are the average salaries for childminding positions?

Nursery Worker Income

The starting salary for junior or trainee nursery workers is from £10,000 to £14,000 a year, depending on age. Qualified and experienced nursery workers can earn between £15,000 and £22,000, depending on responsibilities.

Playworker salary

Full-time playworkers can earn between £12,000 and £20,000 a year. Managerial staff can earn between £25,000 and £30,000 a year.

Becoming a childminder

The National Childminding Association (now Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) Membership Survey 2012 reported that fees charged by childminders ranged from £3.63 to £5.42 an hour for each child, depending on the area of the country.

All figures are intended as a guideline (source: National Careers Service website)

Home based Childcare business

You can set your own prices, but they are similar to childminders fees, which can range from £3 to £6 an hour per child.

The better qualified you are, the more experience and custom you are likely to get. The higher your level of responsibility - the higher your income is likely to be.

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.