Free Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Castleford

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start30 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body

About this course

Free Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Castleford. Classes run at Castleford College, with time split between college and a nursery or primary school placement. This full-time, daytime level 2 early years practitioner course takes one year to complete. You'll build the knowledge and skills to support the care and education of babies and young children. Entry requires four GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English or Maths.

Who this course is for

This study programme is designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed to support the care and education of babies and young children in a day nursery or school.

The programme is aimed at learners who are thinking of working in childcare either in a nursery or a school or who are aiming to progress into higher education to complete an early years or primary education degree.

When studying at Level 2, you will be in college for part of the week and on placement in a nursery or primary school for one or two days each week.

The programme will help you to understand your own personal and social development, including how to behave professionally. It is very important that learners are able to manage their own behaviour and follow the college rules, as young children learn how to behave from the people around them, so we must be positive role models when working with children.

Successful completion of Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner, gives you a licence to practice in an early years setting as a nursery assistant.

Entry requirements

4 GCSEs at Grade 9-3, one will be either English or Maths.

What you will learn

  • You'll learn how to support the care and education of babies and young children.
  • You'll develop skills in planning and delivering age-appropriate activities.
  • You'll understand child development across the early years age range.
  • You'll learn how to observe and assess children's progress.
  • You'll practise safeguarding and child protection procedures.
  • You'll gain hands-on experience through a placement in a nursery or primary school setting.

How you will learn

You'll study in college for part of the week and complete a placement in a nursery or primary school for the rest. Learning combines classroom sessions with practical, work-based experience. Assessment includes coursework, observations in your placement setting, and knowledge-based tasks. Your progress will be assessed both in college and on placement throughout the year.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Castleford College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: support children's learning and care in a day nursery.
  • Nursery assistant: help qualified staff in nursery rooms.
  • Early years teaching assistant: support children in a primary school reception class.
  • Childcare worker: work in a private or community childcare setting.
  • Playworker: lead play sessions in after-school or holiday clubs.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Early Years Educator (NCFE or Cache): the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. This is the natural next step if you want to take on greater responsibility in a childcare setting.
  • Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma: if you want to move into a school-based role.
  • Early Years or Primary Education degree: the provider notes this course prepares you for higher education entry into early years or primary teaching degrees.

Related courses at Castleford College

More courses near you