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Free Level 2 Early Years Course in St Albans

CostFREE
Duration36 weeks
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryWork based
Start1 Sep 2027
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Early Years Course. Work-based training at your workplace. You study while working in a childcare setting, covering child development from birth to seven years, with a focus on the early years range of birth to five. The course runs over 36 weeks and prepares you for a range of job roles in early years and childcare. You'll need a minimum of four GCSEs including a grade 4 in maths or English, a Level 1 qualification, and a satisfactory enhanced DBS check to enrol.

Who this course is for

The aim of this qualification is to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of babies and young children from birth to 7 years of age with applied knowledge in the early years, 0-5 years. It covers a range of job roles working in Early Years.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade 9 - 3 including a grade 4 in either maths or English and a Level 1 qualification.(with an opportunity to retake only one core GCSE). A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS).

What you will learn

  • You'll develop knowledge of child development from birth to seven years.
  • You'll understand how to support children's learning and play in early years settings.
  • You'll learn about safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
  • You'll explore health, safety, and wellbeing in childcare environments.
  • You'll understand how to work with parents, carers, and other professionals.
  • You'll apply your learning directly in your workplace setting.

How you will learn

This is a work-based qualification, so your learning takes place in your childcare workplace. You'll build a portfolio of evidence drawn from your day-to-day practice. Assessment is ongoing and tied to your job role, with your progress reviewed throughout the 36-week course.

What you will need to bring

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

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: supporting children's development in a nursery setting.
  • Nursery assistant: working under qualified staff in early years rooms.
  • Childminder assistant: supporting a registered childminder at home or in the community.
  • Pre-school assistant: helping children aged two to five in pre-school sessions.
  • Early years key worker: taking responsibility for a small group of children.
  • After-school club assistant: supervising and engaging children in out-of-school care.

What you could study next

A natural next step is the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, which is the level recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. From there, you could progress to a Level 5 Foundation Degree in Early Years or a BA in Early Childhood Studies, opening routes into senior practitioner, room leader, or SENCO roles.

Apply on oaklands.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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