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Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Darlington – Darlington College – Full-time

CostFree for 16 to 18 year olds
Duration34 weeks
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body

Free for 16 to 18 year olds. Darlington College lists a fee of £2,506 for adults. Contact Darlington College for more info.

Apply now →

About this course

Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Darlington. Classes run at Darlington College. This full-time daytime course runs for 34 weeks and prepares you to work with children from birth to five years, with knowledge extending to age seven. You'll spend at least two days a week in a real placement setting, so you build hands-on experience alongside classroom learning. You'll need a Grade 3 or above in both English and Maths to enrol, and you'll need to complete an enhanced DBS check before your placement begins.

Who this course is for

The course will prepare you to work with children between birth and five years with knowledge of children up to seven years, or progress onto the L3 T-Level (Early Years or Assisting Teaching routes) or into employment within a nursery setting. This course enables and encourages you to develop your skills and acquire relevant knowledge to enter the world of employment. The structure of this qualification ensures you are placed in a real work environment for a minimum of two days per week. You have to attend tutor-led sessions, practical sessions, workshops and tutorials. A variety of teaching methods are implemented in order to offer maximum learning opportunities throughout the programme of study.

Entry requirements

You will need a Grade 3 in English and Maths.

To complete the placement aspect of this course, you will be required to complete an enhanced disclosure DBS check. We will contact you prior to enrolment to arrange this check. Please do not purchase your DBS through an external company as external DBS checks may not be accepted by us or our placement settings.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop knowledge of child development from birth to seven years.
  • You'll learn how to support children's learning, play, and communication.
  • You'll understand how to keep children safe, including safeguarding and welfare requirements.
  • You'll learn how to work with parents, carers, and other professionals.
  • You'll develop skills in observing and assessing children's progress.
  • You'll gain practical experience working directly with children in a nursery or early years setting.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions at Darlington College combined with a work placement of at least two days per week in an early years setting. Assessment includes written assignments and evidence gathered from your placement. Your practical work in the setting forms a core part of how you demonstrate your skills and knowledge throughout the course.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Darlington College will confirm anything else you need before you start. You will need to complete an enhanced DBS check before your placement begins. Darlington College will contact you to arrange this prior to enrolment. Do not arrange a DBS check through an external company, as external checks may not be accepted by the college or its placement settings.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: working with children aged birth to five in a nursery setting.
  • Nursery assistant: supporting qualified staff in a day nursery or preschool.
  • Early years worker: delivering play and learning activities in a childcare setting.
  • Childminder's assistant: supporting a registered childminder with young children.
  • Playgroup assistant: helping run sessions for children aged two to four.

What you could study next

  • T-Level in Early Years (Education and Childcare): a Level 3 qualification that deepens your knowledge and is recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. Darlington College offers this as a direct next step.
  • T-Level in Assisting Teaching: a Level 3 route if you want to move into primary school or special educational needs support.
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator: the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work, for those not taking the T-Level route.
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