CACHE Level 2 Certificate: Your Introduction to Caring for Children and Young People

Start Your Journey Into Early Childhood Education With Confidence 

If you’re curious about childcare or exploring whether working with children could be the right path for you, the CACHE Level 2 Certificate Introducing Caring for Children and Young People at PrepMe Learning Centre – Early Years Academy offers a supportive and informative starting point. 

This course provides essential knowledge in children’s development, play, safety, and parenting. It is a knowledge-only qualification, meaning you do not need to be working in a childcare setting, and there is no practical placement required. Instead, you will build a strong understanding of the early years sector so you can make an informed decision about your future. 

At PrepMe, our Early Years Academy supports learners of all backgrounds with teaching, flexible learning options, and a warm, welcoming environment that encourages confidence and growth. 

What the CACHE Level 2 Certificate Is 

The CACHE Level 2 Certificate Introducing Caring for Children and Young People is an introductory qualification designed to help you understand what it means to work with children and young people. It gives you the knowledge needed to explore childcare, education, and parenting responsibilities before committing to a full practitioner qualification. 

As outlined in the official qualification specification, this Level 2 Certificate: 

• Provides foundational knowledge and understanding of caring for children and young people. 
• Contains 16 credits, selected from 15 optional units. 
• Uses classroom-based learning, and covers. 
• Has no entry requirements, except a minimum age of 14. 
• Takes around 9 months to complete. 
• Helps you decide whether a career in early years or youth work is suitable for you. 

There are no skills-based units, no assessor observations, and no workplace requirements. Instead, the course focuses on helping you build insight, awareness, and confidence as you learn about the childcare and early years sector.

What You’ll Learn in the CACHE Level 2 Certificate

This qualification gives you introductory knowledge across several key areas. You will explore a range of topics chosen from the optional units, which may include: 

1. Safeguarding the Welfare of Children and Young People 

Learn the importance of keeping children safe, recognising risks, and acting appropriately when something needs attention. 

2. The Value of Play and Early Learning 

Explore why play is essential for children’s development and how different types of play support early learning and growth. 

3. Young Children’s Development 

Understand key developmental stages and how children grow physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. 

4. Parenting and Caring Responsibilities 

Gain insight into healthy parenting, caring for a young baby, and encouraging positive routines for children. 

5. Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition 

Learn how food, nutrition, and daily habits support children’s health and well-being. 

6. Craft, Activities and Learning Experiences 

Discover how creative activities support children’s communication, imagination and development. 

7. Safety, Prevention and Basic Care 

Explore safety in everyday environments, including accident prevention, fire safety during babysitting, and basic care responsibilities. 

The Level 2 Certificate is flexible, allowing you to choose units that match your interests, such as child development, health, play, parenting, or community activities. 

Benefits of Studying This Course 

A safe first step into childcare 

This qualification is ideal for anyone exploring a future in childcare or early years education. It allows you to gain understanding without committing to a full practitioner role. 

Knowledge you can use immediately 

The course helps you build awareness in areas such as child development, safety, play, parenting and communication, all of which are valuable whether you are supporting children at home or preparing for future studies. 

No placement needed 

As a knowledge-only qualification, it can be completed without a nursery or preschool placement, making it an ideal option for beginners, young learners, career changers, and parents. 

Flexible learning at PrepMe 

At PrepMe, you can choose online or in-person workshops designed to support interactive learning, collaboration, and peer guidance. Our monthly one-to-one coaching and review sessions ensure you receive personalised support throughout your studies. 

A foundation for further qualifications 

This Level 2 Certificate does not qualify you to work as a practitioner. 

Instead, it prepares you to progress into more advanced early years qualifications, such as: 

• Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce 
• Level 2 Certificate in an Introduction to Early Years Education and Care 
• Level 2 and Level 3 Teaching Assistant or Playwork qualifications 
• The Level 3 Early Years Educator (which leads to practitioner status) 

The Level 2 Certificate is a practical and accessible first step in your long-term learning journey. 

Why Study at PrepMe Learning - Early Years Academy?

A warm, supportive learning environment:

PrepMe creates a friendly and inclusive space where learners feel supported, motivated, and confident as they grow. 

A holistic approach to early years education: 

We believe in whole-child development, and we teach our learners the same. You’ll gain a blend of knowledge, creativity, and emotional understanding that prepares you for future childcare studies. 

Flexible pathways for future growth: 

PrepMe offers a variety of early years qualifications, making it easy to keep growing and developing your skills within the same supportive environment. 



Encouraging tutors and individual guidance: 

Our tutors are committed to helping every learner succeed through teaching, personalised support, and regular check-ins. 

Who This Course Is For 

This CACHE Level 2 Certificate is perfect if you: 

• Considering a career in childcare or early education. 
• Want to gain knowledge before committing to a practitioner role. 
• Parents and carers looking to deepen their understanding of child development. 
• Are exploring career options and want a gentle introduction to the early years sector. 
• Are aged 14 or older and interested in learning about children and young people. 

No previous experience is required, just interest, curiosity, and a desire to learn. 

What Happens After You Complete the Course 

This course provides a solid foundation for progressing into further vocational qualifications that include practical skills and workplace experience. 

After completing this Certificate, you can choose to: 

• Move on to a Level 2 workforce qualification. 
• Take the Level 2 Introduction to Early Years Education and Care. 
• Begin a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification in the future. 
• Explore teaching assistant or playwork pathways.
• Continue studying to prepare for practitioner roles.

This qualification helps you build clarity, confidence and direction as you plan your future. 

Ready to Begin Your Journey? 

Start your pathway into childcare and early years education with the CACHE Level 2 Certificate at PrepMe. Build essential knowledge, explore your interests, and prepare for the next step in your early years journey. 

Your future in childcare starts with understanding, and understanding begins here.