Childcare and Early Years Practice

Prepare for a rewarding career supporting babies and young children with Egraduate College’s vocational Childcare and Early Years Practice programmes.

Choose the Level 2 Certificate if you are starting your childcare career or the Level 3 Certificate if you are ready to develop more advanced professional, leadership and early years practice skills.

Both programmes combine structured learning with supervised experience in a real childcare, nursery, preschool, school or other suitable children’s setting.

Courses available

• Level 2 Certificate in Childcare and Early Years Practice
• Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Early Years Practice
• Online study with workplace-based experience
• Minimum age: 18
• At least 20 hours of supervised work experience or workplace observation
• UK-regulated qualifications (OFQUAL) awarded by LASER Learning Awards

The Level 2 Certificate is designed for adults who are new to childcare, early years education or children’s services.

You will develop an understanding of safeguarding, child development, children’s learning and professional workplace practice. The course provides an accessible vocational starting point for learners seeking supervised or entry-level opportunities in childcare.

The Level 3 Certificate is suitable for learners who already have some childcare knowledge or experience and want to advance their professional practice.

You will study childcare principles, child protection, play, physical and language development, nutrition, leadership and workplace practice. The programme can help you prepare for greater responsibility in an early years or childcare setting.

The Level 2 Certificate provides vocational preparation for adults who want to begin working in childcare, nursery support, playwork, early years education or children’s services.

You will learn how children develop, how adults can support their learning and how to recognise and respond to child-protection concerns. You will also complete supervised work experience in a suitable setting.

You will develop knowledge and practical awareness in:

• child protection and safeguarding;
• children’s social and emotional development;
• children’s cognitive development;
• how babies and young children learn;
• professional conduct in a childcare workplace;
• reflective practice and learning from workplace experience;
• caring for babies, children’s nutrition and the importance of play, depending on your elective choices.

To complete the programme, you must achieve:

• five mandatory units worth 15 credits; and
• three elective units worth 9 credits.

The complete programme contains 24 Level 2 credits.

Mandatory Units - 15 credits

• Child Protection
• Children’s Social and Emotional Development
• Cognitive Development of Children
• Understanding How Children Learn
• Work Experience

Elective units – select 9 credits

Caring for Babies Under Twelve Months

Food and Nutrition for Children

The Importance of Play

Reading Strategies

Writing for Meaning

Using Calculations

Applicants must:

• be at least 18 years old when starting the course;
• pass the English entrance test set by Egraduate College;
• pass an admissions interview with the Course Leader;
• have access to a suitable childcare, nursery, preschool, school or children’s setting;
• be able to complete at least 20 hours of supervised workplace observation; and
• meet any safeguarding, identity, suitability or background-check requirements established by the placement provider or relevant local authority.

The Level 2 Certificate can support applications for supervised or entry-level opportunities such as:

• childcare assistant;
• nursery or preschool assistant;
• early years assistant;
• playgroup assistant;
• after-school club assistant;
• children’s activity assistant;
• classroom or learning-support assistant; or
• childcare or children’s-services volunteer.

Actual job eligibility will depend on the employer, the country in which you intend to work, your experience and any local licensing, safeguarding or qualification requirements.

Learners may also progress to the Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Early Years Practice.

The Level 3 Certificate is designed for childcare assistants, nursery staff, Level 2 learners and adults who want to take on greater responsibility in an early years or childcare environment.

The programme develops more advanced knowledge of childcare practice, safeguarding, child development, play, health, nutrition, leadership and teamwork.

It is particularly suitable for learners who are already working in childcare or can complete supervised experience in an eligible setting.

What will I learn at Level 3?

You will develop your ability to:

• apply safe, inclusive and developmentally appropriate childcare principles;
• recognise and respond to safeguarding and child-protection concerns;
• understand how play supports children’s learning and development;
• support children’s intellectual and language development;
• understand children’s physical development;
• promote nutrition, healthy eating and wellbeing;
• communicate and work effectively with colleagues;
• demonstrate leadership behaviours in an early years environment; and
• reflect on your performance through supervised workplace experience.

Learners complete:

• eight mandatory units worth 25 credits; and
• elective units worth at least 6 credits.

The minimum programme total is 31 Level 3 credits.

Mandatory units – 25 credits

• The Principles of Childcare Practice
• Child Protection
• Play and Child Development
• The Intellectual and Language Development of Children
• The Physical Development of Children
• Nutrition and Healthy Eating
• Leadership Skills
• Work Experience

Elective units – select at least 6 credits

• Child Communication Difficulties
• Play for Children Birth to Three Years
• Stress and Stress Management Techniques
• Understanding Different Approaches to the Use of Counselling Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Undertaking an Enterprise Project
• Teamwork Skills

Applicants must:

• be at least 18 years old when starting the course;
• pass the Egraduate College English entrance test or hold the Level 2 Award in Progression – Pre-Access to Higher Education;
• be currently working in a childcare or related setting, or have access to an eligible work placement; and
• be able to complete at least 20 hours of supervised work experience or workplace observation.

Egraduate College must approve the proposed workplace and supervisor before the workplace component begins.

The Level 3 Certificate may support career development towards positions such as:

• experienced childcare assistant;
• early years support practitioner;
• senior nursery assistant;
• room support practitioner;
• children’s-services support worker; or
• aspiring childcare team leader.

The programme develops vocational knowledge and workplace awareness. It does not by itself guarantee employment, professional registration or eligibility for a particular occupational role. Requirements differ between employers and countries.