Children’s Care, Learning and Development - Level 3 Diploma
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
1 Year
Start & End Date
1 September 2025
5 June 2026
Location
Ballymena (Farm Lodge)
Interview Required?
Yes
This qualification is designed to provide learners with underpinning knowledge and skills needed when working with children. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas working in children’s settings, including early years. The qualification then builds on this knowledge and provides extended knowledge and skills to further their understanding and provide a stepping stone into higher education.
To achieve this qualification students are required to successfully complete 136 overall credits:
Year 1
Learners will also have access to between 600–700 hours in a work setting that will facilitate development of their skills and knowledge at Level 3.
(After successfully completing year one of your course learners have the option of qualifying with the Cache Level 3 Diploma or progressing onto the Extended Diploma)
Year 2
The 7 Extended Diploma graded mandatory unit titles are:
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
Our Level 3 childcare students share their experiences of the course and what they plan to do next.
The course is assessed mostly by coursework with one external assessment. The external assessment is an extended piece of writing based upon set themes.
This course will provide students with the qualification and a licence to practice that is recognised for work in the following areas:
It will also supports learners’ progression to Higher Education.
Over 95% of students obtain a full-time childcare job by the end of the course.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have:
OR
AND
Applicants with GCSE Child development, Maths and English at C and above will be given preference (essential skills at level 2 are acceptable in place of GCSE) (for full time applicants)
In the event of oversubscription, the College reserves the right to increase the entry criteria for this programme to GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above in preference to Essential Skills or lower graded GCSEs. Applicants will still be reviewed in date order and by order of preference.
This course is free of charge.
Further Education (Level 1-3) full-time courses including Apprenticeships have no course fees for most students:
Level 3 Further Education (full-time)
There are no tuition fees for Level 1 - 3 full-time students aged between 16 and 18.
If you are aged 19-24 and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification, fees will apply. Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
If you are aged 25 or older, fees will apply unless in receipt of a FE grant. (If you are aged 25 or older, admission to a full-time Further Education course will be considered on an individual basis at the College's discretion).
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
If you are in receipt of a FE grant, no fees apply.
If you are aged 19 or older and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification (3 A Level equivalent), fees will apply.
Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
Applications are closed. To register your interest email Admissions.
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The course is assessed mostly by coursework with one external assessment. The external assessment is an extended piece of writing based upon set themes.
This qualification is designed to provide learners with underpinning knowledge and skills needed when working with children. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas working in children’s settings, including early years. The qualification then builds on this knowledge and provides extended knowledge and skills to further their understanding and provide a stepping stone into higher education.
To achieve this qualification students are required to successfully complete 136 overall credits:
Year 1
Learners will also have access to between 600–700 hours in a work setting that will facilitate development of their skills and knowledge at Level 3.
(After successfully completing year one of your course learners have the option of qualifying with the Cache Level 3 Diploma or progressing onto the Extended Diploma)
Year 2
The 7 Extended Diploma graded mandatory unit titles are:
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
Our Level 3 childcare students share their experiences of the course and what they plan to do next.
This course will provide students with the qualification and a licence to practice that is recognised for work in the following areas:
It will also supports learners’ progression to Higher Education.
Over 95% of students obtain a full-time childcare job by the end of the course.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have:
OR
AND
Applicants with GCSE Child development, Maths and English at C and above will be given preference (essential skills at level 2 are acceptable in place of GCSE) (for full time applicants)
In the event of oversubscription, the College reserves the right to increase the entry criteria for this programme to GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above in preference to Essential Skills or lower graded GCSEs. Applicants will still be reviewed in date order and by order of preference.
Course Fees
This course is free of charge.
Further Education (Level 1-3) full-time courses including Apprenticeships have no course fees for most students:
Level 3 Further Education (full-time)
There are no tuition fees for Level 1 - 3 full-time students aged between 16 and 18.
If you are aged 19-24 and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification, fees will apply. Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
If you are aged 25 or older, fees will apply unless in receipt of a FE grant. (If you are aged 25 or older, admission to a full-time Further Education course will be considered on an individual basis at the College's discretion).
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
If you are in receipt of a FE grant, no fees apply.
If you are aged 19 or older and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification (3 A Level equivalent), fees will apply.
Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
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