Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory (For First Award 2025)

This qualification allows learners to develop the knowledge and skills required for employment and/or career progression in childcare or health settings.

It combines practice units that are assessed within the workplace, with opportunities to develop the fundamental skills needed to work with children and additional theoretical knowledge.

The practice element of this qualification mirrors that of the Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice qualification. The theoretical aspect focuses on principles and theories that influence children’s health, well-being and development and how the childcare and child health sector can respond to all the needs of children 0-19 years.

By completing this qualification, learners will be able to demonstrate that they:

• understand, and apply in practice, the principles and values which underpin children’s care, play, learning and development
• understand, and apply, in practice, child-centred approaches to care, play and learning
• can promote and support child development through their own practice
• can evaluate research and theories to support practice
• are aware of key policies within the sector and how these affect service development and delivery
• can work in partnership with children, their families, carers and a range of professionals
• can reflect on practice to continuously improve
• can apply a range of problem-solving techniques
• can use literacy, numeracy and digital competency skills as appropriate within their role.

Learners are required to complete a minimum of 700 hours of work placement to achieve this qualification.

The Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory allows learners to combine mandatory units with a wide-range of optional units depending on their work placement or future career aspirations.

The mandatory units are:

At least one of the following:

Plus the following mandatory theory units:

Further information on the requirements for achieving the qualification can be found in the qualification specifications. Centres must ensure that learners complete the minimum number of credits from the practice units to be able to achieve the qualification.

The Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory qualification is assessed through 70% internal assessment and 30% external assessment. Candidates must successfully complete:

• an externally set, internally marked set of structured tasks for the practice units
• a portfolio of evidence for the practice units
• a discussion with their assessor for the practice
• a portfolio of evidence for Unit 332

Candidates must be entered for

• an external examination for Unit 330
• an externally set and marked extended investigation for Unit 331

An assessment pack detailing the requirements of the internal assessment for the practice units can be downloaded from the key documents and supporting materials tab of the qualification page.

Completion of the Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory qualification provides a suitable foundation for the study of early years and childcare through a range of higher education courses, or apprenticeships.