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 3 GCSEs at grade A*- C OR a related Level 2 qualification PLUS GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or higher.

Students will also need to have communication and interpersonal skills to ensure you are suitable for a career in child education and are placement ready.

If you are progressing from another course in College, a tutor recommendation will be needed, detailing your record of attendance and commitment to your studies.

Our Children’s Learning, Play & Development Level 3 course includes many different course activities including guest speaker visits, events, external trips, team bonding experiences and involvement in the National Citizen Service (NCS). Some of these activities may include:

Trips

• Space Centre Preston – a sensory environment to support people with an additional need

• Unique Kidz - a play and social activities centre for children with additional needs

• University taster days – this includes taking part in workshops for example forest schools

• Beach schools workshops

• Planning trips that are suitable for children e.g. museum, beach, park & zoo visits

Events

• Safe Drive Stay Alive – road safety assemblies

• We Are With You workshops – raising awareness of drug/alcohol misuse

• Drama workshops – addressing topics such as healthy relationships and dementia awareness

• Fresher’s Week

• Careers Higher Education Fair

Guest Speakers:

• Amy Winehouse Foundation – raising awareness of drug/alcohol misuse

• We Are With You speakers – raising awareness of drug/alcohol misuse

• Prop-up Project – supporting mental health awareness

• Camp America

• Overseas holiday activity workers

• Early Years Professionals and teachers

• Child-minders

• University Lecturers

Fundraising

• Christmas shoe boxes for the local food bank

• Cake sale for Children in Need

• Danceathons

Team Bonding Activities

End of term trips may include: ice skating, Intu Trafford Centre for Christmas shopping and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Learners are also invited to take part in the NCS programme to encourage team building and learn more about the importance of social action.

You will be required to undertake work placements in three settings, completing a minimum of 750 hours of work experience, with different age groups, to develop the work skills required to gain employment in an early years setting. During the placements, learners are required to complete the Practical Evidence Portfolio which allows you to provide evidence of your development of skills in early years practice.

Learners can access a range of local nurseries/schools/baby placements as well as other specialist settings, when available, including supporting children with additional needs. Many of our previous learners who excel at placement have been offered a job within the setting at the end of the course. Your placement is a vitally important step towards achieving your chosen career pathway.

The skills you will achieve in placement include: preparing and supporting healthy snack times, creating wall displays, planning and supporting play activities, supporting children with ICT and phonics activities, supporting early maths and literacy, reading and action rhymes, supporting outdoor play activities, supporting a range of creative activities e.g. painting, collage and dough, and many other skills covering the age range of 0-8 years.

Employers play a very important role in supporting your development as an Early Years Professional. You will receive regular feedback on your progress from your placement supervisor and your tutor, these will celebrate your achievements and also provide areas for your continuing development to ensure that you are fully equipped for the role once you qualify.

Upon completion of the course, you will have the opportunity to work in the Child Education industry in a variety of exciting roles 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.

Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto Higher Education courses, such as:

• Teacher Training BA Hons (English, Maths and Science at grade C/4 or higher are needed)

• Children’s Nursing (Level 3 Health & Social Care course would also be an entry route)

• Early Years and Education

• Play Specialist

• Working with Children and Young People

• Social Work

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: A30073-A1A