Free or reduced fees may be available, depending on your circumstances. Fees apply if you're not eligible. Advanced Learner Loan available. Contact North Hertfordshire College for more info.
Level 1 BTEC Introductory Diploma in Caring for Children Under Five Course in Stevenage. Classes run at North Hertfordshire College Stevenage Centre, full-time during the day, over 36 weeks. You'll build knowledge of child development from birth to age five, covering how to support children's growth and learning. The course includes work placements two days a week, giving you hands-on experience with children aged 0 to 8. To join, you'll need four GCSEs at grade E or above, including maths and English, or entry level Functional Skills in both subjects.
Who this course is for
Our childcare courses include lots of opportunities for you to get hands-on experience of the world of work, including:Work placements with businesses like Busy Bees, Kinders Mill Day Nursery, Strathmore School, St Andrews and Weston Way Nursery Attending work placement two days a week with children aged 0-8 (level 2 and 3 childcare students)Engagement with guest speakers from businesses like Busy Bees, TUI Group, Ofsted, parents and home based practitionersEnrichment activities such as outdoor classrooms, visits to Nursery World Exhibition, the UCAS convention and museums linking to child development.Your course will be a mix of classroom-based theory sessions, workshop sessions that explore practical skills, project working with employers and the local community and work experience.Topics include providing activities to support children?s needs, healthy eating and supporting children?s literacy and numeracy.You will hone relevant workplace skills such as observation and assessing children, building rapport with others and problem-solving.You will also complete maths & English qualifications if you haven?t got them already as they are essential in this industry.
Entry requirements
To join this course, you'll need four GCSEs at grade E or above - including maths and English grade E or entry level functional skills.
What you will learn
You'll understand the stages of child development from birth to age five.
You'll learn how to support children's physical, emotional, and social growth.
You'll develop skills in planning and supporting early years activities.
You'll explore how to work collaboratively and reflectively in a childcare setting.
You'll gain knowledge of safeguarding and keeping children safe.
You'll build practical skills through work placements in nurseries and early years settings.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom sessions and work placements two days a week in real early years settings. Assessment is through assignments, practical tasks, and portfolio evidence built up over the course. Guest speakers from the early years sector contribute to your learning throughout the year.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. North Hertfordshire College Stevenage Centre will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery assistant: supporting children aged 0 to 5 in a nursery setting.
Childcare worker: day-to-day care and activities for young children.
Early years practitioner: working in a nursery, pre-school, or children's centre.
Youth support worker: supporting children and young people in community settings.
Playworker: leading play activities for children in after-school or holiday clubs.
Nanny or childminder: providing home-based care for children under five.
What you could study next
Level 2 Diploma in Early Years Education and Childcare: the next step if you want to work as a qualified early years practitioner in a nursery or pre-school setting.
Level 2 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Pearson Edexcel): builds on Level 1 knowledge with more advanced practice and theory.
Childcare Apprenticeship (Level 2): combines paid work with further study in an early years setting.
