The purpose of the Practice qualifications and use of learner placements - Level 2 & 3 CCPLDractice qualifications and use of learner placements
05 August 2024

In response to enquiries from approved customers and concerns raised during scheduled EQA activity, we would like to provide clarity regarding the purpose of the following qualifications and the use of learner placements:

  • Level 2 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice
  • Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice

Practice qualifications purpose

The purpose of the Practice qualifications is to develop and confirm the competency of the fundamental knowledge and skills required to work in the regulated childcare sector as defined by the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years (Nov 2023).
 
Both the Level 2 and Level 3 Practice qualifications are designed for delivery in a work-based learning environment and therefore learners must be working in regulated provision within the sector.   

The qualifications cannot be completed by learners who require an occupational placement.  Learners who are not working in the sector should be directed to the WJEC Practice and Theory qualifications.

Due to this restriction, it is important to confirm that regulated childcare in Wales falls into two categories:

  • Childminders
  • Day Care and Open Access Play Provision

Additionally, some Day Care settings are funded to provide nursery education and must comply with the requirements of the Curriculum for Wales.  These settings are often described as funded non-maintained nursery settings. Please note that this does not include Nursery Schools, as these settings are part of the maintained education sector.

Experienced gained outside of the regulated early years sector should not be used as the primary source of evidence for either of the Practice qualifications. Learners completing Unit 206 or Unit 306 must provide evidence of working with children in non-maintained nursery settings that are funded to deliver the Curriculum for Wales.  

The early year's sector continues to struggle with recruitment and sustainability post  Pandemic, therefore we strongly encourage all approved customers to work collaboratively with local early years employers, Social Care Wales and Health Education and Improvement Wales to ensure the necessary rigour is applied when determining the appropriateness of a learner’s working circumstances. 

Whilst our primary concern is to ensure the integrity and robustness of the qualifications and their assessments, we will always seek to avoid disadvantaging learners where possible.  If you have enrolled learners who are using placements to attain the Practice qualification or who are working/undertaking a placement in a Nursery School, please contact  HCLW Quality immediately so that we can agree next steps.

Do these requirements apply to the CCPLD Practice & Theory qualifications?

The purpose of the Practice and Theory qualifications is two-fold.  Once attained they offer a route into employment as a qualified practitioner at either Level 2 or Level 3, and/or progression via UCAS to further and higher study. 

The Practice and Theory qualifications are predominantly intended for learners between the ages of 16-19yrs, studying in a further education setting.  The structure and duration of the qualifications recognise that learners completing them will require additional time to acquire and consolidate fundamental knowledge and skills to be assessed as competent via placement opportunities

The required placement hours for each qualification is detailed in the relevant specifications as follows:

  • Level 2: 280hrs
  • Level 3: 700hrs

Whilst placement using regulated childcare or child health settings working with children 0-7 years 11 months is strongly recommended, the following guidance is provided regarding the use of placements in schools:

Level 2

School placements are only appropriate if the setting enables learners to gain experience with children aged 0-7 years and 11 months. The placement must allow learners the opportunity to meet all assessment criteria/requirements of the Mandatory Group 1 Units, at least one of optional group A units 204, 205 or 206, plus all assessment criteria/requirements for their chosen units from Optional Groups A, B and C.

Level 3

School placements are only appropriate if the setting enables learners to gain experience with children aged 0-7 years and 11 months. The placement must allow learners the opportunity to meet all assessment criteria/requirements of the Mandatory Group 1 units, at least one of optional Group A units 304, 305 or 306, plus all assessment criteria/requirements for their chosen optional units from Groups A, B and C. Learners who require access arrangements will need to be appropriately supported by the centre – teacher/tutor or work-based assessor to ensure they can participate in meaningful work placement.

If you have any further questions about the WJEC Practice & Theory qualifications please contact Amy Allen Thomas : Amy.Thomas@wjec.co.uk