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Free Level 1 Childcare Course in Ashton-under-Lyne – Tameside College

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 1 Childcare Course in Ashton-under-Lyne. Classes run at Tameside College, full-time during the day. This free childcare course takes one year to complete. You'll study safeguarding, child growth and development, health and safety, forest schools, and communication with young children. Units are taught through case studies, group work, practical activities, and projects. You'll need three GCSEs at grade 1 or above to apply, and the college will interview you as part of the process. A good starting point for anyone heading toward work in early years or youth support.

Who this course is for

This is a full time study programme. You will learn through a variety of teaching methods which will aim to meet the needs of each individual and accommodate different learning styles for example, case studies, assessments, group work, practical work, projects and interactive activities.

Throughout the course you will study a variety of units which include:

� Listening and talking with a young child

� Forest schools

� Safeguarding

� Health & safety

� Growth & Development of young children

� Supporting babies to play

Entry requirements

Level 1 (Foundation)

  • 3 GCSEs grade 1 or above.

You will be interviewed for this course, should be enthusiastic about working in the Early Years sector and have a genuine interest in the subject, good communication skills and are able to participate in work experience.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop skills in listening and talking with young children.
  • You'll learn about child growth and development.
  • You'll study safeguarding principles and how to keep children safe.
  • You'll cover health and safety in childcare settings.
  • You'll explore forest schools and outdoor learning approaches.
  • You'll practise working as part of a group and completing practical tasks.
  • You'll gain experience through work placement in an early years setting.

How you will learn

Classes are classroom-based and full-time during the day at Tameside College. Teaching methods include case studies, group work, practical activities, projects, and interactive tasks. Assessment is built into the units throughout the course. You'll also take part in work experience as part of your study programme.

What you will need to bring

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

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Youth support worker. Support young people in community or education settings.
  • Nursery assistant. Help care for and educate children under five.
  • Playworker. Lead play activities in after-school or holiday clubs.
  • Childminder's assistant. Support a registered childminder at home or in the community.
  • Early years helper. Assist qualified staff in nursery or pre-school settings.
  • Learning support assistant. Help children with additional needs in school.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner. The next step toward working directly with children in a nursery or pre-school setting.
  • Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator. The qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. Required if you want to count toward qualified staff numbers in a registered setting.
  • Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning. An option if you want to move toward a school-based role.
Apply on tameside.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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