Free Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Course. Study online, at your own pace, in a way that fits around your life. You'll need to be working, volunteering, or on a placement with children aged birth to 5 years, as part of the assessment takes place in a real childcare setting. The course covers child development, safeguarding, health and safety, and supporting learning through play. It typically takes 6 months to complete. This level 2 early years practitioner qualification prepares you to work under supervision in nurseries, pre-schools, and playgroups.
Who this course is for
If you want a career working with babies and children from birth to 5 years, this course is a great first step. It's suitable for anyone from the age of 16 upwards with little or no experience in childcare. It will equip you to work under supervision in early years care and education settings such as day nurseries, pre-school and playgroups.
Entry requirements
You will need to be working, volunteering or have a practical placement in a childcare setting, with children aged between birth to 5 years, as an important part of the assessment process involves evaluating skills in real working situations.
What you will learn
You'll understand child development from birth to 5 years.
You'll learn how to support children's learning and play.
You'll know how to keep children safe, including safeguarding procedures.
You'll learn how to promote children's health, wellbeing, and nutrition.
You'll understand how to work with parents and carers.
You'll learn how to support children's communication and language development.
You'll know how to observe and assess children's progress.
How you will learn
You'll study online and complete assessments that include observations in your childcare setting, written assignments, and professional discussions. A key part of the assessment involves your assessor evaluating your practice directly with children aged birth to 5 years. You must be in a working, volunteering, or placement role in an early years setting throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Hartlepool Learning, Work and Skills will confirm anything else you need before you start. You will need access to a childcare setting with children aged birth to 5 years for the practical assessment elements.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery practitioner: working under supervision in a day nursery
Nursery assistant: supporting children's play and daily routines
Pre-school assistant: helping run sessions in a pre-school setting
Playgroup worker: supporting children's activities in a playgroup
Childminder's assistant: working alongside a registered childminder
Early years key worker: caring for a small group of children in a nursery
What you could study next
Level 3 Early Years Educator: the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. This is the next step if you want to take on more responsibility or work unsupervised.
Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education: a broader qualification covering work with children up to age 8.
Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid: often required or preferred by early years employers alongside a childcare qualification.
