Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses (Early Years Pathway) - Level 2

Summary

Are you working with or caring for children and want to feel more confident recognising and responding to common childhood illnesses? This course is designed to help you develop essential knowledge to support the health and well-being of infants and young children. It’s ideal for anyone in an early years, education, or care setting who wants to better understand how to respond to illness and promote a healthy environment.

This course covers a wide range of common childhood conditions, including infections, allergies, and chronic illnesses. You’ll learn how to spot symptoms, understand when medical attention is needed, and how to reduce the spread of illness in group settings. The qualification also explores the importance of immunisation, hygiene practices, and supporting children’s recovery. Whether you're a parent, carer, or early years practitioner, this course will give you the confidence and knowledge to act appropriately and support children’s health more effectively.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
03 Mar 2026	Bispham Campus	4 Weeks	Apply now
13 Apr 2027	Bispham Campus	4 Weeks	Apply now

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Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This course is ideal for anyone working or volunteering with children in early years, education, or care settings. It provides valuable knowledge that supports the health and well-being of children and enhances your ability to respond confidently to illness and promote a safe environment.

Together, these qualifications prepare learners for roles such as Nursery Assistant, Early Years Practitioner, Childcare Support Worker, or Family Support Assistant, and provide a strong foundation for further study or employment in the childcare and education sectors.

This course also forms the foundation for further study and progression within the Early Years Pathway, which includes the following courses.

EARLY YEARS PATHWAY

Employment Opportunities

This qualification provides valuable knowledge for anyone working with children, particularly in early years, education, or care settings.

Potential job roles include:

Key information

Entry Requirements

Technical Entry Requirements: 

Age: 19 years or over (19+)

Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:

DBS Check: While a DBS check is not required for enrolment on the course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment working with children and young people. This check is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.  
English and Maths: A basic level of proficiency in English and Maths is recommended to support your learning and understanding of the course content.

These entry requirements ensure that students are adequately prepared for the course and any subsequent employment opportunities in settings involving children and young people. 

Qualification obtained

Certificate in Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses

Fees and funding

Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.

To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.

Extra costs and equipment

There are no additional costs associated with this course.

What will I learn?

The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses is structured into three clear and practical units, each designed to help you support the health and well-being of babies and young children. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to recognise common illnesses, respond to health emergencies, and create safe, hygienic environments in early years settings.

You will study the following units:

Understand How to Provide a Safe and Healthy Environment for Babies and Young Children
Learn how to maintain a clean, safe, and supportive environment that promotes children’s health and reduces the risk of illness or injury.
Understand Common Childhood Illnesses
Explore a range of common conditions such as colds, flu, chickenpox, and ear infections. Learn how to identify symptoms, respond appropriately, and support children during recovery.
Understand Health Emergencies and Specific Health Conditions in an Early Years Setting
Develop the skills to respond to health emergencies and support children with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or allergies.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

There is no mandatory work placement required for this course, making it accessible to learners who may not currently be working or volunteering in an early years or healthcare setting. However, gaining voluntary or part-time experience in a nursery, preschool, or child-focused environment is highly recommended, as it can help reinforce your learning and improve your employability.

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we enhance your learning experience through a variety of guest speakers and employer engagement activities. These may include visits from healthcare professionals, early years practitioners, and public health representatives who share real-world insights into managing childhood illness and promoting well-being. These sessions help you connect theory to practice and explore the wider context of child health in early years settings.

How will I learn?

Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.  

Teaching takes place in hybrid classrooms, allowing for interactive, tutor-led sessions that support both classroom-based and remote participation when appropriate. The programme primarily focuses on theoretical knowledge but also includes practical hands-on elements to enhance learning and application. This flexible approach ensures that students can engage with the material in a way that best suits their needs.  

Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.  

Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.  

Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.  

Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.  

These varied teaching methods ensure a comprehensive and dynamic learning experience.  

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.

Assessment Methods:

Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations related to childhood illnesses, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate care and support.

Grading:

The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.