Care

CACHE Caring for Children

Rationale for this curriculum

The CACHE Level 1 Award in Caring for Children is designed to stimulate interest and encourage pupils' understanding of the basic skills and knowledge needed to care for young children. Following on from the Level 1 Award pupils can progress onto the Level 1 certificate. If pupils are attending the 6th form, and as long as they are ready, an appropriate work placement may be offered for 2 days per week to support this qualification, helping pupils to develop a better understanding of a working environment and building links between the knowledge and skills learnt.

The CACHE Level 1 certificate in Caring for Children builds on prior learning and prepares pupils for future childcare educational qualifications, training programs, and a transition into supported employment. This course was chosen as it is aimed at a range of pupils, including young people needing to develop life skills as well as those who are thinking of working in childcare. In Combe Pafford, the course is delivered to pupils from year 10-13 who have a SEND with a wide range of learning needs and abilities.

The Intentions of this Curriculum (Intent):

To develop positive attitudes, interests, and enthusiasm for caring for young children.
To help pupils to communicate with different age groups in a positive way.
To teach the basic skills and knowledge required to support young children as they grow and develop.
To investigate local amenities and gain an understanding of the benefits of being part of the local community.
To investigate job opportunities in the sector and how to achieve employment in a desired area.
To support future employment opportunities through focused learning opportunities.
To support the development of independent living skills.
To support the of a range of personal and social development skills.
To raise awareness of how play activities for young children can provide learning and development opportunities.

Our Curriculum Delivery (Implementation):

This curriculum will be delivered using tailored tasks specific to different job areas and planned at a level that our pupils can access. Pupils will have opportunities to experience a range of different job skills through practical tasks and discussion activities that will support their knowledge for the future.

Health and Safety skills and knowledge will run through each lesson and pupils will be encouraged to think independently when choosing tools and equipment. Pupils will be taught essential transferable skills such as perseverance, listening skills, politeness, teamwork and a willingness to complete a job well.

Childcare lessons will be taught each week as a double lesson and will be delivered through a mixture of classroom based learning and practical activities that are specific to the unit being covered. Pupils will receive up to 93 guided learning hours provided in weekly timetabled sessions.

The Award is achieved on completion of 10 Credits over four separate units. Experience will be gained through visits to a local nursery as well as nursery aged children visiting the school, enabling our students to hone the practical skills learnt during taught lessons. Pupils will provide a mixture of written, photographic and practical evidence that will be assessed to determine progress and possible barriers to learning.

Benefits to Pupils (Impact):

By the end of key stage 3, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the program of study.

Pupils will have achieved an appropriate level of qualification in Care that suits the individual needs and will be aware of the next steps available to them.
Pupils understand how children learn.
Understand how to support a child in learning and development.
Understand how to be safe around a young child.
Understand what additional learning may be required to gain employment in the care industry
To have gained confidence in their own abilities, around others and to know that they are valued.

Last updated: 13^th March 2024