Free Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Course in Croydon – CALAT Thornton Heath Centre

CostFREE
Duration34 weeks
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start20 Jan 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body

About this course

Free Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Course in Croydon. Classes run at CALAT Thornton Heath Centre, part-time during the day.

The course runs over 34 weeks. It covers working with children aged 0 to 5 years. You'll build knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and supporting learning in an early years setting. To join, you need an existing early years qualification or at least one year of recent experience in an early years setting. You must be 19 years old or above and live in the borough of Croydon. You'll attend an information and assessment session before enrolling.

You'll finish with an NCFE Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Practitioner Diploma.

Who this course is for

This course is for you if you want to progress your career in Early Years (children aged 0 - 5 years) and have an existing Early Years qualification or substantial and recent experience of at least one years’ experience in an Early Years setting. On successful completion of this course you may be able to apply to join the Childcare Level 3 course.

To be accepted on to the course you must attend an information session, which will consist of an English assessment and interview session and enrolment. Please email us at [email protected] to book onto the next available information and assessment session.

Entry requirements

There is a minimum age to enrol on this course. You must be 19 years of age or above as of 31.8.26. You must live in the borough of Croydon. You will need to demonstrate that you have a good basic education to cope with the demands of the programme (this will be assessed at the pre-course information and assessment session).

What you will learn

  • You'll understand how children aged 0 to 5 years grow and develop.
  • You'll learn how to support children's play, learning, and communication.
  • You'll apply safeguarding principles and know how to keep children safe.
  • You'll develop skills in observing and recording children's progress.
  • You'll learn how to work with parents, carers, and other professionals.
  • You'll understand health, safety, and wellbeing in an early years setting.
  • You'll explore equality, diversity, and inclusion in childcare practice.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at CALAT Thornton Heath Centre. Teaching combines tutor-led sessions with practical tasks and discussions. Assessment includes written assignments and observations of your practice in an early years setting. You'll need to demonstrate your skills in a real workplace environment as part of the course.

What you will need to bring

CALAT Thornton Heath Centre will confirm what you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Early Years Practitioner, supports children's development in a nursery or pre-school.
  • Early Years Assistant, works alongside qualified staff in a childcare setting.
  • Nursery Assistant, helps deliver daily activities and routines for young children.
  • Nursery Practitioner, contributes to planning and delivering early years care.
  • Childcare Worker, provides care and support for children in various settings.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Early Years Educator, the next step for those wanting to count in statutory staffing ratios in nurseries and pre-schools.
  • Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce, broadens knowledge and opens senior practitioner roles.
  • Early Years Teacher Status, requires a degree and further training, but leads to a qualified teacher role in early years settings.

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