Course Details

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Certificate in Early Years Education and Care - Level 2Apply Now »

Level: 2

Location: Ilkeston

Years: 1

Interview: Y

Course Summary

This qualification equips you with the skills and knowledge to work under supervision with children and their families in settings such as nurseries, children’s centres or pre-schools. You will study at the College as well as having a practical placement working with children.

Entry requirements

You need five GCSEs at grade 3 (D) or above, including a grade 3 (D) in Maths and English.

You will also need to provide evidence of good attendance, punctuality, self-motivation and a positive attitude to study.

You must be willing to provide evidence for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which will have to be self-funded. You also need to provide two professional references.

Course Content

You will study at College for three days a week and will spend the other two days on work placement within an Early Years setting. At College, you will cover units centred on four key themes:

Health and wellbeing
Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
Play, development and learning for school readiness
Professional development

During your work placement, you will be required to carry out activities and tasks which include child observations, activity plans and reflective diaries.

To support your main programme of study, help your future progression and enhance your life skills, you will also study and develop your maths and English skills.

How will I be assessed?

Assessments are set by the awarding body, NCFE CACHE, and will include assignments, presentations, displays, group work, planning activities and care routines for children.

You will also be assessed in your work placement, to show you have the practical skills required.

Functional Skills and GCSEs will be assessed by portfolio and online assessment.

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

You will need to wear flat shoes and smart trousers to your placement, along with a work placement top that you can buy from the College.

You also need pens, paper and ring folders, and to pay for your DBS check.

From time to time there may also be educational visits which require you to make a payment.

What can I do after this course?

Further study

There is the opportunity to progress to the Level 3 Technical Certificate/Diploma in Early Years Educator course, which gives you licence to practise unsupervised. This is if you successfully:

Complete your work to a high standard and develop across the year
Achieve GCSE English and Maths at grade C (or Functional Skills Level 2)
Achieve good attendance both at the College and on your placement
Receive good placement reports

Careers

You can also progress straight into employment under supervision in Early Years settings, or to an Early Years apprenticeship.

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This course is run at the Ilkeston Campus

About Ilkeston »

Harli-Marie Richards

Exploring the rewards of a childcare career

Taking children to see piglets and new-born lambs is all part of a day’s work for nursery practitioner Harli-Marie Richards. Having completed her childcare apprenticeship, Harli-Marie was taken on permanently by Derby College’s Little Explorers nursery at Broomfield Hall campus.

Before embarking on her apprenticeship, Harli-Marie took A-levels but had no interest in university. She spotted the nursery opportunity and hasn’t looked back since. She worked towards an advanced NVQ qualification while undertaking on-the-job training.

It’s a great job and I love the fact that the children are free to enjoy the outdoor space. Little Explorers is special and I can’t imagine any other nursery quite like ours. I definitely see my longterm career in nursery care – and I applied straight away when a permanent role became available at Little Explorers.