Starting out

Level 1 is the first rung on the early years qualifications ladder. It is a short qualification which acts as a general introduction to childcare and equips the learner with basic childcare skills. It can help an employer get to know if the person is someone they would like to send on further training, and a learner to find out whether childcare is for them. While training at Level 1 does not qualify the learner to work with children, it allows a student to progress to Level 2, which enables them to be employed ‘in ratio’ (the staff:child ratios which are set out by law) under the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Level 1 qualifications are the equivalent of GCSE grades 3, 2, 1 or D, E, F, G. Early years Level 1 qualifications include Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas. Awards have up to 130 hours of training, Certificates between 130 and 370 hours of training and Diplomas more than 370 hours of training.

The majority of those studying for Level 1 are 16- to 19-year-olds. The qualification is fully-funded for this age group. Vulnerable learners can also access bursaries of up to £1,200, and trainers can make discretionary bursary awards to support other students who cannot stay in education without financial help.

Level 1 students aged 16 to 18 who do not hold a GCSE grade 9 to 4 or equivalent in maths or English must also study the relevant subject as part of their programme. This also applies to aged 19 to 25 who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan and who do not have pass grades in maths or English

Qualifications

Level 1 Award/ Certificate/Diploma in Caring for Children  

Offered by NCFE CACHE, City & Guilds and Pearson 

Level 1 Award/ Certificate/Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s And Young People’s Settings

Offered by NCFE CACHE

Level 1 Award in an Introduction to Early Years Settings

Offered by NCFE CACHE

Level 1 Award in Working with Children

Offered by NCFE CACHE

Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in Child Care

Offered by Skillsfirst

Level 1 Award/ Diploma/Certificate in Introduction to Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare (Wales)

Offered by NCFE CACHE

Vocational Studies (L1 Introductory)

Offered by Pearson

Level 1 Award/ Certificate/ Diploma in Skills for Childcare

Offered by Gateway Qualifications

Level 1 Award/ Certificate/ Diploma in Childcare

Offered by Gateway Qualifications

AIM Qualifications Entry Level 1 Award/ Extended Award/ Certificate/ Diploma in Skills for Working in Child Care Industries

Offered by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group