Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses: Level 2 Certificate
For learners looking to increase their knowledge and understanding of common childhood illnesses (from birth to 5 years old).
Course summary
- Qualification
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses
- Level
- Level 2
- Awarding body
- NCFE (CACHE)
- Qualification number (QAN)
- 603/3115/X
- Guided learning
- 120 hours
- Total time
- 142 hours, including study and assessment
- Cost
- Free if you are eligible
Who it's for and what you'll learn
This Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses NCFE CACHE Level 2 qualification will provide learners with an opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of common childhood illnesses to enable them to support the development and well-being of infants and children they support and care for. Covering children from birth to 5 years of age.
Whether you look after young children as part of your job, or in your personal life, this course will give you the knowledge you need to support their development and well-being. As well as learning about common illnesses that occur in childhood, you’ll gain insight into providing a safe and healthy environment for babies and children.
This course is especially useful for job roles such as Nursery Worker, Residential Support Worker or Child Protection Officer.
What the course covers
To be awarded the Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses level 2 qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve 3 mandatory units:
Unit 1 - Understand how to provide a safe and healthy environment for babies and young children
The aim of this unit is to explore ways to minimise cross-infection and maintain a safe and hygienic environment for babies and young children.
The learner will:
- Understand how infection is spread
- Understand ways to minimise cross infection when working with babies and young children
- Understand the role of policies and procedures to maintain a safe and healthy environment for babies and young children
- Understand the role of healthy initiatives when working with babies, young children and families
Unit 2 - Understand common childhood illnesses
The aim of this unit is to support learners to recognise when a child is unwell, and common childhood illnesses that may occur. Learners will also consider the policies and procedures relating to unwell children in an early years setting.
The learner will:
- Understand how to recognise when a baby or young child is unwell
- Understand how to support and care for a baby or young child who is unwell in the early years setting
- Understand the policies and procedures relating to the care of babies and young children who are unwell in an early years setting
Unit 3 - Understand health emergencies and specific health conditions in an early years setting
The aim of this unit is to consider the role of the practitioner in relation to common accidents and basic first aid as well as serious illness requiring emergency support. Acute and chronic health conditions including how to manage allergies in the setting will also be covered.
The learner will:
- Understand accidents that may occur in an early years setting
- Understand serious illness in babies and young children
- Understand the management of acute and chronic health conditions in an early years setting
How these courses usually work
Every provider does things a little differently, so check the details with them before you apply.
Where and how you study
Most of these courses are studied online, from home. You'll usually need internet access and a laptop or desktop computer. A phone or tablet may not be enough. Some providers can send paper workbooks if you ask.
How long it takes
- This qualification is designed to take about 142 hours in total, including study and assessment.
- Many learners finish in around 6 weeks by studying 4 to 5 hours a week. You can go faster if you have more time.
- Providers usually set a deadline, often 10 to 12 weeks after you start.
Support
Providers usually give you a tutor who marks your work and answers your questions by email, phone or message.
Assessment
There are usually no exams. Instead, you answer assessment questions as you work through the course and send them to your tutor to mark. If an answer needs more work, you can usually change it and send it again.
Your certificate
When you pass, your certificate comes from the awarding body, NCFE. It often takes 8 to 12 weeks to arrive after your final assessment.
Things to check before you start
- Many providers only let you study one funded course at a time.
- If you leave the course early, or don't finish by the deadline, some providers charge an admin or withdrawal fee, often around £125. Ask about this before you sign up.
Can I do this course for free?
ASF local flexibility: 19+, England resident, unemployed or earning under £26,800 (devolved areas vary).
Check whether you're eligible for a free course. The provider makes the final decision.
Where can I study this?
We've found 4 providers offering this course for free to eligible learners.
Answer a few quick questions to check whether you’re likely to get this course for free. We’ll then show you which providers offer it.
What could I do next?
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Sources
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses - List of Qualifications approved for fundingqualifications.education.gov.uk
- NCFE qualification factsheet (603/3115/X)ncfe.org.uk (PDF)
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