To study this course, students must:

• Show enthusiasm for the subject area

• Enjoy working with other people

• Have a commitment to study

• Be able to work independently

• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills

• Complete a DBS check
  

Students must also have a minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent at grade 3/D, one of which must be English or Maths.

The course is assessed through written assignments, practical activities and 2 examinations. In order to complete the assessments you will study at College 3 days a week and attend work placement for 2 days each week. While on placement both your tutor and your placement supervisor will visit your place of work and complete observations/witness statements that will support your assignment work.

You will be expected to produce a practical portfolio of evidence while on placement and reflect on your progress.

During your 3 days a week at College, you will study the following units:

• Unit 1 - Policy and Practice for Working in Early Years Settings

• Unit 2 - Child Development from Birth up to Five Years

• Unit 3 - Developing Professional Practice Skills for Work in Early Years Settings

• Unit 4 - Supporting Children’s Physical Care Needs in Early Years Settings

• Unit 5 - Supporting Children’s Learning Through Play

• Unit 6 - Supporting Children’s Communication, Literacy and Language Development

• Unit 7 - Developing Professional Practice in Early Years Settings

Unit 1 will be assessed through an external online exam, Unit 2 will be assessed through a paper-based external examination and Units 3-7 will be assessed through assignment tasks.

Assignment work will be completed in assignment workshops, during directed study, and at home. There will be a requirement to complete assignments in your own time but using time in college effectively will help you keep this to a minimum. You will also need to revise for examinations at home as well as in revision sessions at College.

Where appropriate we bring in guest speakers who give their input on areas such as safeguarding and health and safety.

Students also visit centres that provide educational visits for children to assess the benefits for children and how their safety might be managed e.g. local parks and zoos.

Whenever possible we take part in College competitions; Child Education has a good track record for achievements in the annual Christmas Tree Competition.

Partaking in industry placement is at the centre of this qualification. Students carry out work placement two days a week at a nursery/pre-school/reception class which provides practical experience and knowledge for completion of their assignment work. Placements can take place across 1 or 2 settings depending on your career aspirations (e.g. you may choose to be at one setting for the duration of the course or you may want to change settings part way through the course in order to experience different age ranges).

Successful completion of this course gives students the option to continue study at College through a Level 3 Apprenticeship (e.g. Teaching Assistant Level 3) or through progression onto the Children’s Play, Learning & Development Level 3 course. Alternatively, there are also opportunities to progress into Level 2 positions in nurseries, preschools and reception classes as you will be a licenced Early Years Practitioner. The types of roles you will be qualified for after the Level 2 qualification include Preschool Assistant, Nursery Assistant and Early Years Assistant. Previous students have often progressed onto these pathways with many gaining opportunities for employment/Apprenticeships through their placements.

There are many exciting careers within the Child Education industry such as:

• Teaching Assistant and Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

• Early Years Educator

• Nanny/Child-minder

• Family Support Worker

• Children’s Holiday Activities Work

• Hospital Play Worker

You can discover all the opportunities available to you by exploring the full list of careers in the industry.

If you would like to apply for this course, please click 'Apply' in the top right, follow the steps, and our Admissions Team will be in touch with you.

For more information, advice and guidance please phone Student & Learning Services on 01524 521385 or 0800 306306 or email advice@lmc.ac.uk

Course code: A30072-A1A