Sixth Form Work Experience
Cressex Community School Sixth Form currently offers one vocational ‘pathway’, for students interested in pursuing a career working with children and families, or pursue further study in these areas.
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development course is intense but has an outstanding track record of success. It provides a solid foundation for students to develop the professional attitudes, skills and knowledge necessary for securing employment in the Early Years sector as well as the study skills necessary for progressing into higher education/ university.
Our students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in a range of settings with different age groups on a weekly basis, which also enables them to identify the age group that they prefer to work with in the future. The aim of the work placement is to give learners opportunities to gain skills, apply their knowledge and to produce the required evidence to meet the assessment requirements.
Examples of Childcare Settings:
- Day nurseries
- Registered childminders
- Preschools
- Playgroups
- Maintained nursery schools
- Nursery classes as part of local schools’ offering.
It is recommended that the childcare setting that we send our students to for placement is rated as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development
Work Placement Criteria:
- Complete a minimum of 750 hours of practical work with children.
- Placements to be completed in a range of settings, as detailed above.
- Age ranges include, birth to 2, 3 to 5 and 5 to 8 years.
- This placement will be completed with a program of study.
- Students will be observed in placement each term over the duration of the course
- The objective is to achieve practical experience throughout the duration of the course, enabling the learner to reflect, analyse and make links between theory and practice.
- Placements are sourced by the Sixth Form Team so that the course requirements are met.
BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Children’s Play Learning and Development
Work Placement Criteria:
- Complete a minimum of 280 hours of practical work with children.
- Placements to be completed in a range of settings, as detailed above.
- Age ranges include, birth to 5 years.
- Placements are sourced by the Sixth Form Team so that the course requirements are met.
Practical Evidence Portfolio
It is mandatory for all learners to complete the Placement Experience Assessment Portfolio of Evidence as part of their course and will provide a record of:
- Work placement attendance and completion
- A portfolio of assessment evidence
This portfolio will include:
- Placement hours
- Witness statements/observations
- Reflective accounts
- Observation records
- Activity plans
- Sample of children’s work
- Work placement reports
- Routines
- Setting policies
- Photographic evidence
- CPD certificates
For any further information, please feel free to contact the Sixth Form Team.
Miss Khan Mrs Bhandal
skhan@cressex.org sbhandal@cressex.org
