This delay has occurred because UCAS is currently carrying out an internal review, where it is scrutinising its tariff system to ensure higher education meets the needs of applicants and employers. The tariff was designed ten years ago when A-level qualifications were predominately the route into higher education.
Warren Cresswell, funding manager at CACHE, said, 'As a two-year, publicly funded qualification for school leavers and post-19 learners studying in further education colleges, this is an attractive option and UCAS points will further enhance it.'
The extended version of the existing Level 3 Diploma has been designed by CACHE as a two-year, college-based course for younger learners, which can provide a bridge to degree-level study.
The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) said this meets the needs of inexperienced learners who are not ready for employment and who may want to eventually go on to higher education. The extended award means students can keep their options open, as it potentially offers a springboard to other areas such as playwork, teaching or nursing.
CACHE has been supported by CWDC in the qualification's development. Rob Newby, senior project manager at CWDC, said that both organisations agreed that the existing Level 3 had to be at the heart of the extended model, as it is this which confers occupational competence. The extended version carries a stronger theoretical dimension and greater emphasis on child development.
'The extended diploma is for young and inexperienced learners who are in a full-time college environment, who have come straight from school and want to take a full-time college route,' he said. 'What these students need is more in-depth knowledge to underpin their practice. While they will go into supported practice placements, the additional study will give them the whys to what they are doing, as part of a broader knowledge base.
'The extended diploma will provide a route into higher education, either through a foundation degree or honours programme, depending on which institution is applied to.'
Mr Newby said the current uncertainty on UCAS points reflected how the world of qualifications is undergoing change.
'We anticipate that the existing Level 3 will carry some UCAS points and that the extended model will provide additional points, making both qualifications more attractive,' he said.
'The qualifications are owned by the awarding bodies, and how these are awarded and assessed will have a bearing on how UCAS views them.
'We need to be clear about what qualifications are for and what they can do and what they can't. In the case of the extended Level 3, it is about extending a robust, work-based qualification to give inexperienced learners the underpinning knowledge they need. The existing diploma still remains at the heart of work-based competence.'
At Chiltern College in Reading, which is offering the existing Level 3, principal Chris Lawrence 
said she is in a wait-and-see situation.
'We would like to have confirmation of UCAS points and we always like to give a new qualification time to settle down before we offer it,' she said.
'With the review of qualifications coming up, we don't know what is going to be happening. We are still pushing for a good, solid award for everyone working in childcare. It makes more sense to have a robust Level 3 qualification that can lead to Level 4, rather than having one Level 3 that is all-encompassing.'
An independent review of early years qualifications, headed by Professor Cathy Nutbrown, is currently looking at how qualifications can be strengthened.