Where will this course lead?

The aim of this qualification is to prepare learners to become early years educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to five years and gain knowledge of children aged five to seven years.

Upon achievement of this qualification, it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as early years educators.

In response to the DfE, we have built a qualification to meet the criteria required for those wishing to become early years educators.

This qualification aims to:

• focus on the study of early years education
• offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
• provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills

The objectives of this qualification are to:

• confirm occupational competence and/or 'licence to practice'
• confirm competence in an occupational role to the standard required

What will I study?

In order to aid holistic delivery and assessment, the units are structured around the following three themes:

• Theme 1: Health and well-being
• Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
• Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness

Learners must achieve:

23 mandatory units

Credit value: 61

How will this course be delivered?

This course will be delivered in college one day a week and supported in a work environment by an assessor.

How will I be assessed?

All units will be internally assessed as achieved or not achieved.

All units are mandatory and include a longitudinal study.

There are two main types of learning outcome:

• Skills that can be performed
• Knowledge that can be learnt.

Full achievement of the qualification will not be possible until all components are complete.

How do I get a place on the course?

Places are offered by interview and completion of an initial assessment.

What are the entry requirements?

You must be aged 19+ to enrol on this course.

You must hold a relevant L2 qualification, and GCSE Grade 4 in English and maths (or L2 functional skills)

Ideally, you will be employed in an early years setting.

What else do I need to know?

All students working with children will need to have a Disclosure and Barring Security Check.

*Part of the Free Courses for Jobs project. Eligibility criteria apply.

What can I do after this course?

Job roles include:

• practitioner in day nurseries
• practitioner in Nursery schools
• practitioner in reception classes in primary schools
• pre school worker