Free Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Barrow-in-Furness

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

About this course

Free Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course in Barrow-in-Furness. Classes run at Furness College Channelside Campus, full-time during the day. This level 2 early years practitioner course takes one year and covers child development, safeguarding, play, and learning support for children from birth to five. It's a practical, classroom-based qualification that prepares you for work in nurseries, pre-schools, and early years settings. The early years practitioner qualification is awarded by NCFE.

Who this course is for

Furness College is highly successful, thriving and dynamic multi-site College. We are extremely passionate about raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, communities and employers in Barrow-in-Furness and the wider peninsula. In 2016 the College became a member of the Chartered Institute for Further Education, the body for high performing Further Education Colleges and training providers. In 2017, we were recognised as the best Further Education provider in Cumbria at the Golden Apple Awards. In 2019, Ofsted rated us a s a Good College and later that year we were reaccredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology, which is recognised around the world as an indicator of quality. In the summer of 2023, we were reaccredited as being a Teaching Excellence Framework Silver rated provider, for the quality of teaching on higher education programmes.

The two main campus sites, Channelside and The Sixth Form, are state of the art facilities and provide our students with the best foundation upon which to build their future. Our campuses include virtual learning spaces, demonstration areas and workshops with all the latest equipment and technologies.

We offer a very wide range of academic and technical courses for students of all ages and abilities including: A Levels, T Levels, vocational courses and university level courses, apprenticeships and adult part-time courses. We also pride ourselves on the wellbeing support we offer to students to help them be the best they can be and go further in life.

For more information and to apply for a course today please visit our website: https://www.furness.ac.uk/

What you will learn

  • You'll understand how children develop from birth to five years old.
  • You'll learn how to plan and support play and learning activities.
  • You'll study safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
  • You'll learn how to support children's communication and language development.
  • You'll understand how to work with parents, carers, and other professionals.
  • You'll learn how to observe and assess children's progress.
  • You'll study health, safety, and wellbeing in early years settings.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions at Furness College Channelside Campus, combined with practical placement in an early years setting. Assessment includes observations of your practice, written assignments, and professional discussions. You'll build a portfolio of evidence showing your competence across the qualification units.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Furness College Channelside Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: supporting children's learning and daily routines in a nursery
  • Nursery assistant: hands-on care and play support in early years settings
  • Pre-school assistant: working with children aged two to four in pre-school
  • Childminder's assistant: supporting a registered childminder at home
  • Early years key worker: taking responsibility for a small group of children
  • Playgroup worker: leading or assisting sessions in community play settings

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Early Years Educator (NCFE or equivalent): the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. Level 3 is required to count as a qualified practitioner in Ofsted-regulated settings, so this is the natural next step.
  • Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education: broader childcare qualification for those wanting to work across a range of settings.
  • T Level in Education and Early Years: a two-year full-time qualification equivalent to three A levels, for those considering a degree in education or early childhood studies.

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