This qualification is designed to help learners build the knowledge and skills needed when working under supervision with children aged from birth to five years. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas in children's settings, including Early Years.
You should be at least 16 years of age and working or volunteering in an Early Years setting for at least two days a week. You must also have a DBS check.
The QCF Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce includes 13 mandatory units and optional units which will be suited to your role in your placement/work.
You will be assessed by your tutor or assessor using a range of methods. These could include direct observation in the workplace, a portfolio of evidence and written assignments.
No specialist equipment is required.
There is a £1,200 cost for the course.
On completion of this qualification, you can progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education.
* Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are not entitled to any concessions.
*** Co-Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are entitled to any partial concessions.
Former DCG student James Bates plans to train as a primary school teacher once he has finished his top up degree at the University of Derby.
James, who is 23 and from Belper, progressed to a degree in Early Childhood Studies after getting a distinction in his foundation course in Children and Young People’s Services at the Roundhouse.
James said taking the three-year foundation course had been a “great stop gap” between school and university.
He added: “A lot of what I learned at Derby College keeps cropping up on my degree course.
“If I’d gone to university straight from school, I think I would have struggled with the academic writing. I know I would have found that side so much harder.”
James did an apprenticeship in school sports before College, and because his foundation course was part-time, carried on working at a local primary school three days a week. He was also able to work for the Rural Derbyshire School Sport Partnership which promotes sports in schools across the Dales and Hope Valley.
James is continuing to work as a Teaching Assistant and for the partnership while studying for his degree. As part of his College studies, James wrote an essay on the impact of Covid-19 on the role of teaching assistants.
A lot of what I learned at Derby College keeps cropping up on my degree course.
If I’d gone to university straight from school, I think I would have struggled with the academic writing. I know I would have found that side so much harder.