Early Years

Overview

Our Early Years courses equip learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to work with children from birth to the age of 5 and cover topics such as learning environments, safeguarding and child development.

We offer the following Early Years courses:

• • Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings
• • Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings
• • Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner
• • Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

In addition, our qualifications are also perfect for employers who want to train and upskill their employees, which in turn will also support business growth and team motivation.

Entry Requirements

• • Adults (aged 19 and above)
• • Have the legal right to live and work in the UK

Before starting, you will need to complete

• • An Initial Assessment to assess your skill level
• • An Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) session with us

Progression

By achieving these qualifications, you may be able to progress:

• • To the next level of this programme (e.g. from Level 1 to Level 2 or from Level 2 to Level 3 )
• • To another course
• • To employment (dependent on prior qualifications and experience)
• • Or to other vocational career paths, such as apprenticeships or volunteering opportunities (also depending on your qualifications and experience)

At the end of the course, you will have increased your confidence, motivation and the skills you need to be a valuable member within your community, in the workplace and/or in any further learning.

Qualifications & course requirements (prior to starting)

In addition to our Entry Requirements (on the overview tab), you should:

• • Have achieved Level 1 Maths and English qualifications

In this course, you will learn to:

• • Understand the range of service provision and roles within health and social care (adults and children and young people), early years and childcare
• • Understand the principles and values in health and social care (adults and children and young people), early years and childcare
• • Be aware of protection and safeguarding in health and social care (adults and children and young people), early years and childcare
• • Be aware of health and safety in health and social car eand children’s and young people’s settings
• • Understand communication in health and social care (adults and children and young people), early years and childcare
• • Be aware of equality and inclusion in health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings
• • Be aware of person-centred support in health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings

Qualifications you will receive upon completion:

• • NCFE CACHE Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings
• • And/or NCFE CACHE Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings

Note: the qualification/course you will achieve may be dependent on your skills, knowledge and work experience/placement.

Soft skills you will gain:

• • Communication (English/literacy)
• • Working with others
• • Problem solving
• • Employability
• • Organising and planning

Progression

By achieving this qualification, you may be able to progress:

• • To the next level of this programme:
• - Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings (if you achieved the Level 1 Certificate)
• - Level 2 Diploma in Early Years Practitioner
• - Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
• - Level 2 Diploma in Care
• • To another course
• • To employment (dependent on prior qualifications and experience)
• • Or to other vocational career paths, such as apprenticeships or volunteering opportunities (also depending on your qualifications and experience)

Qualifications & course requirements (prior to starting)

In addition to our Entry Requirements (on the overview tab), you should:

• • Have achieved Level 2 Maths, English and I.C.T. qualifications
• • Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement as they will need to show competence in both knowledge and skills
• • We recommend learners complete 250 placement hours whilst undertaking this qualification. Placement opportunities must allow for sufficient skills application with babies and young children to meet the assessment criteria for the qualification

In this course, you will learn (but not limited to):

• • Roles and responsibilities of the Early Years Practitioner
• • Health and safety of babies and young children in the early years
• • Equality, diversity and inclusive practice in Early Years Settings
• • Safeguarding, protection and welfare of babies and young children in Early Years Settings
• • Understand how to support children’s development
• • Support care routines for babies and young children
• • Promote play in an Early Years Setting
• • Support well-being of babies and young children for healthy lifestyles

Qualifications you will receive upon completion:

• • NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner

Progression

By achieving this qualification, you may be able to progress:

• • • To the next level of this programme:
  • - Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
  • • To employment (under supervision):
  • - Nursery Practitioner
  • - Classroom Assistant
  • - Pre-school Practitioner
  • • To another course/programme
  • • Or to other vocational career paths, such as apprenticeships or volunteering opportunities (also depending on your qualifications and experience)

Qualifications & course requirements (prior to starting)

In addition to our Entry Requirements (on the overview tab), you should:

• • Have achieved Level 2 Maths, English and I.C.T. qualifications
• • Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement as they will need to show competence in both knowledge and skills
• • Learners must be able to gain individual experience in real work environments across the age range from 0-5 years. A minimum of 300 work/placement hours are required during the duration of the course.

In this course, you will learn (but not limited to):

• • The role of the early years educator
• • Holistic child development
• • Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• • Effective communication in an early years setting
• • Safeguarding and welfare requirements
• • Health, wellbeing and safety
• • Promoting an effective early years curriculum

Qualifications you will receive upon completion:

• •NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

Progression

By achieving this qualification, you may be able to progress:

• • • To employment:
  • - Educator in day nurseries
  • - Educator in nursery schools
  • - Educator in reception classes in primary schools
  • - Pre-school worker
  • • To further education:
  • - NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner
  • - Higher education - personal statements may be accepted by universities
  • • To another course/programme
  • • Or to other vocational career paths, such as apprenticeships or volunteering opportunities (also depending on your qualifications and experience)