Course Overview
This one-year qualification covers a range of key subject areas that provides learners with the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to care for and educate children aged between 0 and 11 years, 11 months. This course also provides the opportunity to improve your GCSE English, maths, and biology.
Your work placement will be one day a week with a number of block weeks where you attend your early years and primary school placement for the whole week.
Topics may include:
- Child development from birth to 11 years and 11 months
- Play and learning
- Exploring legislation
- The role of the childcare practitioner
- Nutrition
- Physical development and physical activity
- Keeping a professional skills record.
Assessment Methods
This qualification is internally assessed through a portfolio of evidence. There is also a mandatory Professional Skills Record which must be completed during the work placement element of the course.
Learners will undertake at least 200 work placement hours. You will complete these hours in two different settings; an early years setting and a primary school.
Progression Options
On successful completion of the course, you could progress to the Level 3 T Level in Early Years and Education.
Alternatively, you could progress to an Early Years apprenticeship or into employment at a junior level.
Entry Requirements
You need five GCSEs in the 9 to 3 range, including English and maths, or an appropriate Level 1 qualification alongside these GCSE grades. A grade 3:3 in science would be advantageous. Entry is also subject to a successful interview and induction as well as gain some work experience in a relevant education or childcare setting.
You will need to demonstrate passion and interest in the childcare and education sector as well as a positive and professional attitude to learning.
You will also need an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, with no disclosures, as you will complete a work placement in an early years and primary school setting as part of your course.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply directly on any of the UCS College Group websites, whether you wish to study at Bridgwater College, Cannington College, Strode College, or Taunton College. Simply use our “Find a Course” feature and follow the on-screen instructions – be sure to have your important information to hand.
We aim to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip all our students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively, and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.
The Student Experience Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Student Experience Team works closely with the Safeguarding & Lifestyle Teams to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
We provide top-quality workshops and teaching areas across our Colleges for subjects such as art, design and media, hair and beauty, catering, automotive engineering and construction. You can review our campus facilities by navigating to the “College Life” section of our websites.
For us, the success of our students always comes first. By investing in our built environment, we are investing in your future.
All of our students will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the UCS College Group Advantage scheme.
The Safeguarding Team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person and their studies – no problem is too big or too small!
Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the College Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQ section, you can ask us a question by visiting our Contact Us page.
