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Childcare

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

Studying Childcare will give you extensive knowledge of the development of babies and young children. Students will gain an understanding of the stages and sequences of brain development, physical development and social skills, with classes delivered by staff who are experts from the childcare sector. 

WHAT WILL I DO?

The course includes up to 750 hours of placement, enabling you to work with babies and children within primary schools, nurseries and with childminders. You will gain an introduction to child development from conception to seven years; children’s health and well-being and providing safe environments for children. You will also be involved in activity sessions with children up to five years old in Harlow College’s ‘Little Seedlings’ stay and play area.

WHAT WILL I DO NEXT?

Progress to university, including the Higher National Certificate/Diploma inEarly Years Education at University Centre Harlow. Jobs in the sector include primary school teacher, nursery manager, SENCO worker, teaching assistant and council support officer. You could study an Apprenticeship in a related subject.

Early Childhood Education and Care Higher National Certificate

Subject to validation, this course may change to a Foundation Degree validated by ARU from 2024 with a direct top-up to a full degree available.

This course provides extensive knowledge of professional development, the Early Years curriculum along with communication, values & leadership for advanced Early Years Practitioners. You will gain an understanding of the stages and sequences of brain development, physical development and social skills. Most significantly, you will gain professional status enabling you to work with children or progress to university to complete an Early Years Degree, Teaching Degree or a Degree in Childhood studies.

Early Childhood Education and Care Higher National Diploma

Subject to validation, this course may change to a Foundation Degree validated by ARU from 2024 with a direct top-up to a full degree available.

This course provides extensive knowledge of professional development, the Early Years curriculum along with communication, values & leadership for advanced Early Years Practitioners. You will gain an understanding of the stages and sequences of brain development, physical development and social skills. Most significantly, you will gain professional status enabling you to work with children or progress to university to complete an Early Years Degree, Teaching Degree or a Degree in Childhood studies.

Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

Do you enjoy working with young people and have a caring and patient nature? A career in childcare care could be perfect for you. Doing an Early Years apprenticeship will allow you to gain the skills you'll need to work in this dynamic industry. You'll learn how to work with children of different ages, educate and care for children and ultimately how to excel in your Early Years career.

You will be supervising others in the care and education of 0-5yr olds in early years settings and gaining practical and theoretical knowledge covering a variety of topics to include child development, health and safety, safeguarding and inclusion.

Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2

You will be assisting others in the care and education of 0-5yr olds in an early years settings, gaining practical and theoretical knowledge covering a variety of topics to include child development, health and safety, safeguarding and inclusion.

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  • Level: 2
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2024

Early Years Practitioner Diploma Level 2

Applications are now closed.

This course will provide you with a good knowledge of the development of babies and young children. You will gain an understanding of the stages and sequences of brain development, physical development and social skills. There is an opportunity to progress onto Level 3, (with the relevant GCSE's) or work as a qualified level 2 practitioner.

Early Years Practitioner Diploma – Adult Course Level 2

This one-year qualification is designed to equip you with the knowledge and understanding of babies and young children from birth to six years old, with a focus on applied knowledge for early years, specifically from 0 to 4 years.

The course content aligns with the Department for Education's (DfE) Level 2 criteria, ensuring it meets the requirements for a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner in the workforce.

The course is structured over one year, with one morning per week spent in college and a minimum of 16 hours in an Early Years setting. During the course, you will study topics such as:

  • The roles and responsibilities of an Early Years Practitioner
  • Health and safety for babies and young children in the early years
  • Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusive practices in Early Years settings

To successfully complete this qualification, you must be employed, volunteering, or undertaking a practical placement in a real work environment (RWE), allowing you to demonstrate both knowledge and skill competency.

A good level of English and maths is recommended. If you wish to improve your skills in these areas, you may have the opportunity to take a Functional Skills course alongside this qualification.

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  • Level: 1
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2024

Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children and Young Peoples Settings

Applications are now closed.

The course provides you with the basic knowledge to progress on to higher level programmes or out into the sector. You will have work experience within the sector that will draw on your theoretical knowledge and allow you to understand the sector and explore the variety of job roles within the sector.

Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools – Adult Course Level 2

The Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning has been designed to provide learners with an understanding of the knowledge and skills needed when working directly with children and young people in school or college environments. It covers a wide range of areas including children and young people’s development, supporting children and young people’s positive behaviour and communication and professional relationships.It’s aimed at learners working in roles that support pupils’ learning in primary, secondary or special schools, as well as colleges.

To successfully complete this qualification, you must be employed, volunteering, or undertaking a practical placement in a real work environment (RWE) to undertake a minimum of 100 hours work experience. 

A good level of English and maths is recommended. If you wish to improve your skills in these areas, you may have the opportunity to take a Functional Skills course alongside this qualification.

Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools – Adult Course Level 3

This qualification provides learners with an understanding of the knowledge needed when working directly with children and young people in a school or college environment. It will enable learners to gain an understanding of elements including children and young people’s development and safeguarding their welfare. 

This qualification is ideal for those who are interested in working as a teaching assistant or a learning support assistant.

This course provides learners with the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals from a variety of early years settings, exchange experiences, and share best practices.

To successfully complete this qualification, you must be employed, volunteering, or undertaking a practical placement in a real work environment (RWE) for a minimum of 16 hours per week, allowing you to demonstrate both knowledge and skill competency.

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  • Level: 3
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2024

T Level Education and Early Years (Early Years Educator)

Applications are now closed.

T Levels are designed to deliver world-class technical education and give you a new choice after GCSEs. The Education and Childcare T level has been designed with leading businesses and employers in the sector and gives you: 

  • A thorough understanding of concepts and theories of the education and childcare sector.
  • The opportunity to solve real life problems in the education and childcare sector.
  • Valuable experience of learning from the experts through working side by side with those in the education and childcare sector on your industry placement so that you have the chance to learn what this career is like in the real world while you continue your studies.  
  • Specialist knowledge and skills relating to either early years or supporting and mentoring students in further and higher education 

Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) prepares learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. Upon achievement of this qualification it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators. Learners can progress into various job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors such as:

• Assistant in Children's Centres
• Practitioner in nursery schools
• Practitioner in reception classes in primary schools
• Pre-school worker

We have structured the units around three themes:• Theme 1: Health and well-being
• Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
• Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness

This course provides learners with the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals from a variety of early years settings, exchange experiences, and share best practices.

To successfully complete this qualification, you must be employed, volunteering, or undertaking a practical placement in a real work environment (RWE) for a minimum of 16 hours per week, allowing you to demonstrate both knowledge and skill competency.

Funding Your Course

If you're aged 19 or over and you want to study A Levels, an Access to Higher Education Diploma, or a Level 3 to 6 Vocational Qualification, you could be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.