This 3rd edition includes contemporary legislation in child care and aims to help candidates focus on the diverse needs of the children in their care, covering special needs and multi-cultural issues. The "Student Book" contains "knowledge into action" activities to help encourage students to apply their theoretical understanding in the work setting. "Good Practice" checklists are drawn from a variety of experiences to provide practice guidance and sections on external assessment and activities intend to help students practice for the external tests. This text can be used for the CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education, as supplementary reading for NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education and for BTECT National Early Years.