Level 2 Diploma in Early Years Practitioner

Overview

  • 16-18

Details

This Level 2 Early Years Practitioner course is designed for 16-18yrs who want to start a career working with young children. This qualification also gives you license to practice.

You will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to support children from birth to 5 years, with an understanding of development up to age 7. This course prepares you for further study at Level 3 as well as working under supervision in a variety of roles.

All learners will complete a minimum of 250 placement hours whilst undertaking this qualification.

What You Will Learn

You will study a range of topics that will help you understand how to care for and support young children, including:

  • Child development and learning
  • Supporting children’s play and early learning
  • Health, safety and safeguarding
  • Equality, diversity and inclusive practice
  • Planning activities to support development
  • Observation, assessment and behaviour support
  • Preparing children for school
  • Supporting children with additional needs
  • Working with parents and other professionals

How You Will Learn

You will be taught in fully equipped classrooms using a variety of teaching methods, including:

  • Interactive lessons and group work
  • Practical activities and real-life scenarios
  • Access to online learning through our student platform

Your tutors will support you throughout the course, helping you build the skills and confidence needed to work in childcare.

Progression and Careers

After completing this course, you can progress to:

  • Level 3 Early Years Educator (CACHE) (subject to entry requirements)
  • T Level in Education and Childcare
  • Employment in roles such as:
    • Nursery Assistant
    • Classroom Assistant
    • Nanny
    • Pre-school Assistant

This course is a great first step towards a long-term career in childcare, education or early years teaching.

Support

Free Meals in FE

If you are aged between 16 and 18 on 31st August (the year you start your studies) and received free school meals when you were at school, you may be eligible to receive a free meal at College. For more information on free school meals, click here.

Further Education Fees (16-18)

All our Further Education (FE) courses (Entry to Level 3) are free to EU residents who are under 19 years old on the 31st August (the year you start your studies). For a few courses you may be expected to contribute towards the cost of specialist materials and resources. However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial help from the College’s Learner Support Fund. You should apply for any such financial support as soon as you have been offered a place.

Childcare

Financial support to help with childcare

Care to learn - childcare support for young people aged 16-20

If you are aged under 20 at the beginning of your course, or moving to the 2nd year of a level 3 course, and are caring for your own child you may be entitled to £175.00 maximum per week, per child through Care to Learn. 

Please ensure you register on the Care to Learn website even if you haven’t chosen your childcare provider or the course you want to study.  Once you have registered Care to Learn will confirm financial support in principle.

For further details and help with making an application please visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or speak to a Student Advisor.

Childcare support for people aged 20+

Financial support towards the cost of nursery, childminder, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.

If you are aged 20+ when you start a course and need financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study the college may be able to help.

You will be required to make use of any government NEF or 2+ Funding before requesting any financial support from the college.

It is essential that you speak to a Student Advisor prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available.

Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances.

General eligibility criteria:

  • Aged 20 and over
  • Considered a home student for fee purposes
  • Fully enrolled on a programme of study funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency  or in receipt of a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan
  • Discussed and had confirmation of funding for childcare support before enrolling

Financial eligibility:

 You need to have evidence that you meet general discretionary Learner Support Funds or 19+ Advanced Learning Loan bursary fund criteria:

  • on a low income / a dependent of someone who is on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit e.g. Income Support / Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, housing benefit etc.

When looking for childcare please be aware:

  • all childcare providers must be OFSTED registered
  • any 2+ or 3+ government funding must be used by the student. Only additional hours needed for study will be funded by the College.
  • childcare will only be paid for days when you are attending College or a mandatory work placement.
  • students on full-time courses will be a priority for childcare funding.
  • childcare places will be subject to a contract between College/student/nursery.
  • childcare payments are made subject to students reaching 85% attendance on a monthly basis.

All childcare applicants approved for funding will be required to sign our Terms & Conditions and MUST inform the College immediately should they stop attending lessons for any reason.

Email learner.services@cwc.ac.uk to put your name on the childcare waiting list.  You MUST speak to a member of the Student Advice or Learner Services team before you enrol on a course.

Financial Support for 16-18 Year-olds and Continuing Learners aged 19

The Education Funding Authority has allocated money to colleges to support students who are on low incomes or the dependent of parents on a low income, and need support towards their course-related costs or essential living costs or are facing financial difficulty.

For further information click here.

For further information on financial support for Looked after Children, Care Leavers and estranged young people, click here