The course has been designed to equip you with the skills to work with children from 0-5 years old. It will provide you with a licence to practice and the status of Early Years Educator, and you will be qualified to take on a wide variety of roles, both at home and abroad. You will learn about childcare and education, including supporting young children and helping them develop through learning activities and play.
This course consists of two separate qualifications. In your first year of study, you will work towards a Technical Certificate in Childcare and Education. Following successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to progress to the Technical Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator).
Topics covered can include:
You will need:
All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.
You will complete assignments and externally-assessed online tests. All of your work must be collected in a portfolio of evidence and cross-referenced to qualification requirements. An important part of the assessment process is evaluating skills in real, working situations. Therefore, the practical work you do in the childcare setting will be observed by your assessor.
If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.
Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.
If you will be aged 19 to 23 prior to the start date of your course, and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible for a Level 3 entitlement, in which case your study with us will be free. If you are older, or already have a Level 3, we have many other Level 3 courses that are also free to study. Otherwise, you will have to pay the fees yourself or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.
Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.
This course will help you to move on to apprenticeship, or employment within the childcare sector.
Laura is a dedicated professional with a strong passion for working with children and a natural inclination towards caregiving. She started her career as a Nanny which led her to Canada BC, where she honed her childcare skills. Laura then gained invaluable knowledge and started training as a nursery nurse at a special needs nursery in Swiss Cottage.
With a desire to work with a wider age range of children, Laura took on a summer position at a one o'clock club and adventure playground, solidifying her aspiration to work with children aged 5-12. She excelled in play work, becoming the youngest team leader at Hempstead Heaths, managing three play sites over an impressive eight-year tenure.
During her time at Hampstead Heaths, Laura played a pivotal role in developing a national curriculum program to support schools throughout Camden, showcasing her dedication to educational excellence and innovative initiatives in childcare.
In 2006, seeking a new challenge, Laura joined a college as an assessor/teacher in further education (FE) and went to university to complete her PGCE in Teaching in the lifelong sector. She taught various subjects including play work, childcare and education, childminding, and Alternative provision, catering to both 16+ and 19+ age groups.
Laura's unwavering passion for outdoor learning led her to become a qualified forest school leader in 2021. Leveraging this expertise, she established a successful Sunday Forest school program, delivering enriching experiences during weekends and school holidays, reconnecting her with working directly with young children.
The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.