Free Level 1 Childcare Course in Ipswich. Classes run at Suffolk New College, full-time during the day, over one year. You'll study a range of child-related subjects through practical activities, with work experience in a childcare setting built into the programme. Guest speakers and trips support your understanding of working with children. To join, you'll need two GCSEs at Grade 1 including maths and/or English, or show in an assessment that you can work toward Level 1 in both.
Who this course is for
This study programme offers you the opportunity to learn about a range of child related subjects through a range of exciting, practical activities aimed to help you prepare for your next step. Work experience in a childcare setting is offered as part of this course and helps you gain valuable employability skills. Your experience will be enhanced through the input of guest speakers and trips, aimed to support your understanding of working with children.
Entry requirements
Two GCSEs at Grade 1 including maths and/or English, or demonstrate the ability to work towards Level 1 in maths and English in an assessment.
What you will learn
You'll explore child development and how children grow and learn.
You'll study how to support children's health, wellbeing, and safety.
You'll learn about safeguarding and the responsibilities of those working with children.
You'll develop practical skills through hands-on activities and real work experience in a childcare setting.
You'll build employability skills relevant to nursery and youth support roles.
You'll gain insight from guest speakers working in childcare and related fields.
How you will learn
You'll learn through practical classroom activities, work experience in a childcare setting, guest speaker sessions, and educational trips. Assessment is through coursework and practical tasks completed during the course. Your work experience placement is a core part of the programme, giving you direct experience of a professional childcare environment.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Suffolk New College will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery assistant: supporting children's play and learning in a nursery setting.
Childcare worker: day-to-day care for young children in various settings.
Playworker: leading activities for children in after-school or holiday clubs.
Youth support worker: helping young people with personal development and wellbeing.
Early years helper: assisting qualified staff in early years classrooms.
Classroom teaching assistant: supporting children in a primary school environment.
What you could study next
Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner: the next step toward working as a qualified early years practitioner in a nursery or pre-school.
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 an early years setting.
Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice: if you're drawn toward youth support roles rather than early years.
