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Free Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Course in Hammersmith and Fulham

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Course in Hammersmith and Fulham. Classes run at Hammersmith & Fulham College, full-time during the day. This one-year course covers child development from birth to seven years, with a focus on the early years range of birth to five. You'll study how babies and young children learn, grow, and develop, alongside practical skills for working in nurseries and early years settings. The course meets the Department for Education's Level 2 full and relevant criteria for early years practitioners. You'll also study English and maths if you don't already hold these at grade C/4 or above.

Who this course is for

16-18 year olds and Adults (19+)

Entry requirements

You should have:

Four GCSEs atgrade 3 or above, including English and maths at grade 3 or Functional Skills Level 1 qualifications or A relevant Level 1 course and Functional Skills Level 1 in English and maths.

At enrolment, you will have an interview with our course tutors to ensure the course is right for you. You may also need to complete an initial assessment in English and maths, depending on your grades.

In order to study the course, youmust also holda valid Disclosure a

What you will learn

  • You'll develop knowledge of child development from birth to seven years, with applied focus on the 0 - 5 age range.
  • You'll learn how to support babies and young children's learning, play, and communication.
  • You'll understand safeguarding responsibilities and how to keep children safe in early years settings.
  • You'll study health, well-being, and physical development in young children.
  • You'll learn how to observe and assess children's progress and development.
  • You'll develop understanding of how to work in partnership with parents, carers, and other professionals.
  • You'll build knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and how it shapes practice.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions at Hammersmith & Fulham College, combined with practical placement in an early years setting for two days a week. For 16 - 18 learners, three days are spent in college and two on placement. Adults must be working, volunteering, or on a placement in a real work environment. Assessment is through a combination of coursework, observations in the workplace, and knowledge-based tasks that demonstrate both your understanding and your practical skills.

What you will need to bring

You'll need a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before you can start the course. For 16 - 18 learners, the college will arrange your DBS check. Adult learners are responsible for obtaining their own DBS check and for arranging their own placement. Hammersmith & Fulham College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner - working with children aged 0 - 5 in a nursery setting.
  • Nursery assistant - supporting qualified staff in day-to-day childcare.
  • Early years teaching assistant - assisting in Reception or pre-school classes.
  • Playgroup worker - leading or supporting sessions in community play settings.
  • Childminder's assistant - supporting a registered childminder with young children.
  • After-school club worker - caring for children in wraparound care settings.

What you could study next

This Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Qualification is a stepping stone toward roles with greater responsibility. You could progress to a Level 3 Early Years Educator Diploma, which is the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work and counts toward qualified practitioner status. From there, a Level 5 Early Childhood Studies Degree or a degree-level apprenticeship in Early Years could open routes into senior practitioner or room leader roles.

Apply on wlc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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