Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory (For Last Award 2024)
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Who is the qualification for?
The Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory qualification combines theoretical knowledge in children's care, play, learning and development with the practical skills needed to work within the sector.
It is primarily designed for post-16 learners in further education who are:
- interested in working in a support role in the childcare sector
- studying, or have completed Level 2 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Core qualification
- returning to the workforce after a career break looking to refresh their knowledge and skills in the Childcare sector.
This qualification is suitable for learners who have achieved a Level 2 qualification including the Level 2 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory or who have no previous knowledge of the children's care, play, learning and development sectors.
Learners who have not yet completed the Level 2 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Core qualifications are strongly advised to do so prior to or alongside this qualification.
This qualification allows learners to develop the knowledge and skills required for employment and/or career progression in childcare or health settings.
It combines both practice units that are assessed within the workplace with additional theoretical knowledge. The practice element of this qualification mirrors that of the Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice qualification.
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 is credit based and allows learners to combine mandatory units with a wide-range of optional units depending on their work placement or future career aspirations. Learners must complete a minimum of 72 credits in total.
The mandatory units are:
| Unit | Unit Title | Assessment | Credit |
| 300 | Promoting core practice in children’s care, play, learning and development | Internal | 18 |
| 301 | Promoting play, learning, growth and development | Internal | 5 |
| 302 | Promoting nutrition and hydration in early years | Internal | 4 |
| 303 | Responding to childhood illness, infestation/infection, disease and immunisation | Internal | 3 |
At least one of the following:
| 304 | Promoting the care of 0-2 year olds | Internal | 4 |
| 305 | Promoting the care of 2-3 year olds | Internal | 4 |
| 306 | Promoting the care of 3-7 year olds | Internal | 6 |
Plus the following mandatory theory units:
| 330 | Principles and theories that influence children's care, play, learning and development in the 21st century in Wales | External | 19 |
| 331 | Investigating current issues in children's care, play, learning and development in Wales | External | 3 |
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 tasks
- a portfolio of evidence
- a discussion with their assessor
- an external examination
- an externally set and marked extended investigation.
An assessment pack detailing the requirements of the internal assessment 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.
| Grade | Points |
| Distinction* | 112 |
| Distinction | 96 |
| Merit | 64 |
| Pass | 32 |
Contact us
Amy Allen-Thomas
Subject Officer
ccpld@wjec.co.uk
029 2240 4264
Tania Lucas
Subject Support Officer
ccpld@wjec.co.uk
029 2240 4264
Textbooks
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WJEC Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Theory (Level 3) - Order |
Updates to HSC, CC and CYP Level 2 and Level 3 qualification handbooks and assessment delivery guides. Read more
Head to our Training and Events page for the latest information on Professional Development events and learning opportunities for this qualification.
| Event | Link |
|---|---|
| CCPLD Level 3: Unit 330 Practice and Theory Autumn Network (2023) | Click here to view |
| CCPLD Level 3: Unit 331 Practice and Theory Autumn Network (2023) | Click here to view |
| CCPLD Level 3: Unit 330 Practice and Theory Spring Network (2023) | Click here to view |
| CCPLD Level 3: Unit 331 Practice and Theory Spring Network (2023) | Click here to view |
| CCPLD Level 3: Practice and Theory Autumn Network (2022) | Click here to view |
| CCPLD Level 3: Practice and Theory Spring Network (2022) | Click here to view |
| Q&A - CCPLD Level 3: Practice and Theory Spring Network (2022) | Click here to view |
| eSubmissions - Obtaining Keycodes via Surpass | Click here to view |
| Example Practice Assessment (Observation and Reflective Log) (November 2021) | Click here to view |
| FAQs: Understanding the Practice Assessment Journey (November 2021) | Click here to view |
| Level 2 and 3 CCPLD Practice and Theory Understanding the Practice Assessment Journey – Material (November 2021) | Click here to view |
| Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory Spring Network (March 2021) | Click here to view |
| FAQs: Spring Network (March 2021) | Click here to view |
| Level 2 and 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development Practice and Theory – Understanding the Practice Assessment Journey (November 2021) | Click here to view |
| Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory: Units 330 and 331 Workshop (May 2020) | Click here to view |
| Q&As from CCPLD Network Meetings (May 2020) | Click here to view |
| City & Guilds / WJEC Phase 3 2020 21 delivery and assessment mitigations (September 2020) | Click here to view |
| Q&As from Phase 3 2020 21 delivery and assessment mitigations (September 2020) | Click here to view |
| Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory Autumn Network (October 2020) | Click here to view |
| Q&As from Autumn Network (October 2020) | Click here to view |
| Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory: Preparing to Teach (December 2019) | Click here to view |
| Delegate Pack - Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory: Preparing to Teach (December 2019) | Click here to view |