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Free Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Accrington

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Accrington. Classes run at Accrington and Rossendale College, full-time during the day. You'll study child development, safeguarding, communication, health and safety, and how children learn through play. A work placement in nurseries and early years settings gives you hands-on experience with children aged 0 to 5. The course takes one year. Entry requires 4 GCSEs at Grade 3 or above, or a Level 1 BTEC including Grade 3 in English and Maths.

Who this course is for

Love working with children? The Level 2 Education & Early Years course is the perfect starting point for a career where you can inspire and support young learners every day. You’ll explore how children develop and learn through play, while building vital skills in safeguarding, communication, health and safety, and observation. The highlight is your work placement, giving you real hands-on experience in nurseries and early years settings, working with children aged 0–5. Whether you want to move straight into work or progress onto Level 3, this course is your first step towards a rewarding career in childcare and education.

Entry requirements

4 GCSE passes at a minimum of Grade 3, or a Level 1 BTEC which must include a Grade 3 in English Language or Literature and Maths.

What you will learn

  • You'll study child development from birth through to adolescence, including key milestones.
  • You'll learn how play supports children's learning and how to plan play-based activities.
  • You'll understand safeguarding and child protection responsibilities in early years settings.
  • You'll develop skills in observation and assessing children's progress.
  • You'll explore how to support children's literacy and language development.
  • You'll learn health and safety practices relevant to childcare environments.
  • You'll build skills in working with colleagues, families, and other professionals.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions and a work placement in nurseries and early years settings. Assessment includes coursework, observations, and practical tasks completed during your placement. Classes are delivered full-time during the day at Accrington and Rossendale College.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Accrington and Rossendale College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: working with children aged 0 to 5 in a nursery setting.
  • Nursery assistant: supporting qualified staff in early years rooms.
  • Childcare worker: caring for young children in a range of settings.
  • Early years teaching assistant: supporting learning in Reception classes.
  • Playgroup assistant: helping run sessions in community play settings.
  • Creche worker: providing childcare in leisure or community venues.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Early Years Educator: the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. Completing Level 3 opens the door to working as a lead practitioner and is required to count in Ofsted ratios as a qualified member of staff.
  • Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education: a broader route into early years leadership and management roles.
  • T Level in Education and Early Years: a two-year technical qualification for those considering a degree in education or early childhood studies.
Apply on arc.eastlancslearning.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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