This qualification is designed to help you become an Early Years Educator. The course will enable you to work with and care for children from birth to 5 years, and you will also gain knowledge of children aged 5-7 years. Upon completing the course you can progress into a wide range of job roles, including practising in nurseries, pre-schools, reception classes in primary schools.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course but you will be expected to have experience of working in the early years setting, or a relevant Level 2 qualification, before enrolling into this course. You will need to have a good command of basic English, be at least 16 years of age, and be working or volunteering in a relevant childcare setting.
Hours of Study
You should allow for approximately 486 hours’ study time, plus additional time spent in your setting or settings, and time for completing assignments. You will have tutor support for a period of up to 24 months from the date of enrolment.
Exams and Assessment
You will create an online portfolio of evidence using different formats such as learning plans, written tasks, and discussion. You will also undertake two longitudinal studies, one for a child under 36 months of age, and the other for a child over 36 months of age. Both studies end with direct observation in the workplace. There will therefore be two workplace assessment days for this course.
Additional Information
To achieve this qualification you’ll need to gain 61 credits by completing the mandatory units.
You’ll work through this course using our online learning system that makes completing your course – submitting your work, doing activities and getting feedback – straightforward and enjoyable. The system is easy to use and all the work you complete is recorded in your learner profile, forming an online portfolio.
This course requires you to have a regular work placement in an appropriate childcare setting or settings.
The course consists of the following topics:
Theme 1:
- Health and well-being
- Support healthy lifestyles for children through the provision of food and nutrition
- Promote healthy lifestyles for children through exercise
- Support physical care routines for children
- Promote children’s emotional well-being
- Understand how to support children who are unwell
Theme 2:
- Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
- Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children
- Use legislation relating to the health and safety of children
- Follow legislation relating to equality, diversity and inclusive practice
- Working in partnership
Theme 3:
- Play, development and learning for school readiness
- Understand the value of play in early years
- Plan, lead and review play opportunities which support children’s learning and development
- Promote enabling play environments
- Developing children’s emergent literacy skills
- Developing children’s emergent mathematical skills
- Support children’s transition to school
- Develop children’s cognitive skills
- Promote children’s speech, language and communication
- Promoting children’s physical development
- Promoting children’s personal, social and emotional development
- Support children with additional needs
- Use observation, assessment and planning to promote the development of children
- Use longitudinal studies to observe, assess and plan for children’s needs
Theme 4:
- Professional development
- Engage in professional development
