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Free Level 1 Childcare Course in Durham

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 1 Childcare Course in Durham. Classes run at New College Durham's Framwellgate Moor Campus. This full-time, daytime childcare qualification covers how children grow, learn, and develop, alongside units for your own personal development. It's a strong starting point if you're considering a career working with young children. The course runs for one year. You'll need GCSE grade 2 or above in English and maths to enrol.

Who this course is for

Course may be subject to change.

This qualification encourages an understanding of the knowledge and the skills needed to care for young children. They cover children’s growth, learning and development. There are also units to help with self-development. Learners from Level 1 Diploma Caring for Children usually progress on to our L2 Early Years Practitioner programme.

Entry requirements

Please refer to College website.

What you will learn

  • You'll understand how young children grow and develop physically and emotionally.
  • You'll learn how children learn and how to support that learning.
  • You'll explore how to care safely and effectively for young children.
  • You'll develop your own personal and professional skills through self-development units.

How you will learn

You'll study in the classroom at Framwellgate Moor Campus, full-time during the day. Learning is based on coursework and practical units covering childcare knowledge and skills. Assessment is through the units that make up the Diploma, which you complete over the course of the year.

What you will need to bring

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

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Youth support worker: supporting young people in community or educational settings.
  • Nursery assistant: helping care for children in a nursery environment.
  • Playworker: leading play activities for children in after-school or holiday clubs.
  • Childcare assistant: supporting qualified staff in a childcare setting.
  • Early years helper: assisting in reception classes or pre-school groups.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Early Years Practitioner: the natural next step from this Diploma, and the route New College Durham recommends. It builds on what you've learned and moves you closer to a recognised role in early years settings.
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator: the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. Typically studied after Level 2.
Apply on newcollegedurham.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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