This course is designed for those who are interested in a career working with children in a school or nursery setting.
The course enables you to develop a substantial range of knowledge in areas including: children’s development, play and learning, development of children’s communication, literacy and numeracy skills, enquiries into current research, keeping children safe, children’s physical development, care and health needs, children’s personal, social and emotional development, working with parents and others, observation, assessment and planning, reflective practice, and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
In addition, there are specialist units which will allow you to gain further understanding of the needs of children, including: children’s development outdoors, healthy eating, working with children with additional needs and career development.
This is a challenging two year course which is both exciting and rigorous. You will be expected to undertake an extensive amount of course work during the two years which means you will be responsible for ensuring that you allow sufficient time to complete home study. Students spend three days a week in College and the two remaining week-days at a work placement setting.
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