Diploma in Home-based Childcare
The Diploma in Home-based Childcare (DHC) is a level 3
qualification which helps childminders and nannies develop the
knowledge and understanding they need to provide high-quality care
and early years education in a home environment.
It has been developed by NCMA and the Council for Awards in
Children's Care and Education (CACHE). It is the only level 3
qualification tailored especially to those providing care and
education in a home-based setting. And, because it provides much of
the underpinning knowledge needed for the level 3 NVQ in Children's
Care, Learning and Development, DHC is the perfect place to start
on a training pathway.
The Diploma in Home-based Childcare (DHC) is made up of five
units:
- Introduction to Childcare Practice (Home-based)
- Childcare and Child Development (0-16) in the Home-based
Setting
- The Childcare Practitioner in the Home-based Setting
- Working inPartnership with Parents in the Home-based
Setting
- Planning to Meet the Children's Individual Learning Needs in
the Home-based Setting.
Each unit can be done in the childcarer’s own time, either as a
distance learning course, or by attending courses and tutorials at
a college or specific training session.
The first unit – Introduction to Childcare Practice
(Home-based), also known as ICP, is delivered over 12 hours, and
the four remaining units are each delivered over 30 hours. At the
end of the 12-hour ICP course, candidates sit a multiple choice
exam.
Once a candidate has completed ICP they can take the remaining
four units in any order. All five units must be successfully
completed to attain the full level 3 DHC qualification. CACHE can
award certificates for each completed unit, as well as to those who
have completed the full award.
