Skip to main content

Course Overview

 

This is a 1-year full-time course, based at Poole College and can be used to progress to a Level 3 course either in Early Years, other areas, or an apprenticeship.  The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge and understanding of babies and young children from birth to seven years of age with applied knowledge in the early years, 0–5 years.

During the year students will be taught a variety of different topics which include Respecting and Valuing Children, Accident Prevention, Sharing Learning Experiences with Children, The Importance of Play for Early Learning, Supporting Children’s Positive Behaviour, Safeguarding and the Welfare of Children, and Rights and Responsibilities.


You will be taught in class by subject specialists and there will also be speaker’s from outside agencies who will be invited into the class to discuss various aspects of early years care and education in order to enhance your knowledge so that you will be able to complete your assignments to the best of your ability.

During the course there will be a variety of assessments via assignments, academic posters, practical activities and presentations. To help prepare for this students will be set regular coursework.

You will be required to also study for your GCSE in Maths/English alongside your childcare course in order to give you the best chance to progress onto the T Level  if appropriate.

 

This course is for 16-19 year olds who would like to go into the early years profession but have not achieved the required English or Maths qualifications to study the T Level in Education and Early Years.

 

You will require a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grades 3-9 including English and Maths.

Alternatively students must have successfully completed a relevant level 1 qualification and have achieved Level 1 Functional skills in English and Maths.  

Please note this course is designed for 16-19 year olds only.

Assessment will occur mainly through written assignments.

Students will be required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of work related experience.  This will be via online courses, speakers from EY settings and visits.

Towards the Summer Term if students are up to date with their coursework including English and Maths they may be able to go out and attend a work placement in a real life environment.

To attend placement learners will be required to complete and have a clear DBS. 

It is possible for students to progress onto the T Level in Education and Early Years if they have demonstrated good attendance behaviours and attitude and passed the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Caring for Children, also if you have obtained your GCSE English and Maths at a 4 or above.

You could progress onto an early years apprenticeship at level 2 or level 3 depending on your employer’s and the colleges expectations.

 

 

Upon achievement of this qualification, learners can progress into various job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors, such as:
• Nursery assistant
• Classroom assistant
• Pre-school assistant
 

There may be additional fees associated with this course - please ask for further details.

Students will be timetabled in college for three days during the week. Students will be required to complete some work outside of the college timetable.

For more information please contact neilsonc@bpc.ac.uk

 

Awarding Body:
NCFE CACHE

Curriculum Area:
Science, Care, Health and Foundation - Early Years and Care

Course Options

Start Date

Wed 3rd September 2025

Attendance

Full-time

Duration

1 Years

Location

Poole Campus