Preparing to work in home-based childcare
Our Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home-based Childcare (HBCA) is the most comprehensive qualification to help you cover everything you need to begin a career in home-based childcare as a childminder or nanny in England.
Whether you're new to the sector, or are an existing childcare professional, you'll cover how to work effectively with children in a home-based setting.
We've partnered with The Childcare Company who administer the course and whilst you are studying the HBCA course, you will receive an exclusive three months free PACEY membership, allowing you to take advantage of further training and resources.
HBCA is a regulated qualification (officially recognised) and many of the criteria covered can be mapped to the Early Years Educator Qualification. This means that if you choose to progress with your studies to a full Level 3 qualification you can use some of the knowledge gained in the award. Not all pre-registration childminding courses are regulated qualifications.
Preparing to Work in Home-Based Childcare is a Level 3 Award. If you want to work in a home-based childcare setting as a registered childminder, childminding assistant or nanny, it's the perfect course for you.
The qualification is also intended to help existing childcare professionals improve their expertise, covering topics from how to work effectively with children in a home-based childcare role to robust advice on setting up a home-based business.
Course details
The HBCA is an e-learning course completed online so you’ll need access to a computer, and some basic computer skills, to complete the course. It is designed to be flexible and to allow you to combine a qualification whilst balancing work commitments and family life. You can view your training on or offline on an Apple or Android handheld device (a phone or tablet), but you will need access to a PC or laptop in order to upload your written assignments to the e-learning platform.
Course structure
The award is made up of two units with three work plans linked to the e-platform learning resources and webinars. All learners complete Unit 1 and then choose whether to do Unit 2 if aiming to be a childminder, or Unit 3 if aiming to become a nanny.
Unit 1:
Provides learners with the knowledge required to work with children in a home-based childcare setting. Areas covered are:
- Legislation and regulation
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Health and safety
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Day to day care routines for children
- Working in partnership
- Children’s learning and development
- Play
- The role of observation.
Unit 2 - for childminders:
Prepares learners to set up a home-based childcare business. Areas covered are:
- Leading and managing a setting
- Financial and taxation requirements
- Creating a business plan
- Registration requirements.
Unit 3 - for nannies:
Explores the role of the nanny. Areas covered are:
- Understanding partnership working for the nanny
- Expectations required in the role of the nanny
- Understanding the role of advisory, guidance and support services for the nanny
- How to plan steps to become a nanny.
Funding methods
This unique childminding qualification is self-funded only, but also really affordable for a CACHE accredited Level 3 award and will cover everything you need to become a home-based childminder or nanny. To enquire about enrolling, contact The Childcare Company by clicking here.
