Post A Job
Advertise Courses
Search Jobs
Search Courses

Free Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Course in Spalding

CostFREE
Duration39 weeks
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryBlended learning
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Course in Spalding. Classes run at University Academy Holbeach, with a mix of online study and time at the centre. You'll need 5 GCSEs at grades 3 to 9, including English and Maths, to enrol. The course covers child development from birth to 7 years, safeguarding, health and safety, special educational needs, and school readiness. It runs full-time over 39 weeks. Complete 250 work placement hours and competency assessments to earn your Level 2 licence to practise.

Who this course is for

The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge and understanding of babies and young children from birth to 7 years, with applied knowledge in the early years (birth to 5 years).

This qualification contains knowledge and skills that meet the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) Early Years Practitioner (EYP) criteria in full and maps to the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) within the Early Years Practitioner occupational standard in England

Entry requirements

5 GSCSE's grades 3-9 (Including English and Maths

What you will learn

  • You'll understand child development from birth to 7 years, with a focus on the early years (birth to 5).
  • You'll learn the roles and responsibilities of an Early Years Practitioner.
  • You'll cover health and safety, safeguarding, equality, and diversity in early years settings.
  • You'll explore special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and how to support children effectively.
  • You'll study school readiness and how to prepare children for the transition into education.
  • You'll develop skills in partnership working with families and other professionals.
  • You'll apply knowledge through 250 hours of work placement, building practical competency.

How you will learn

Learning is blended: you'll study online and attend daytime classes at University Academy Holbeach in Spalding. Assessment includes coursework tasks, observations, professional discussions, and reflective accounts. You'll also complete 250 work placement hours, where your practical competency will be assessed. This combination of classroom learning, online study, and real placement experience runs across 39 weeks full-time.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. University Academy Holbeach will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: working with children aged birth to 5 in a nursery setting.
  • Pre-school assistant: supporting learning and play in a pre-school environment.
  • Classroom assistant: helping teachers support children in primary school.
  • Early years keyworker: taking responsibility for a small group of children's development.
  • Childcare worker: providing care and learning support in a day nursery or creche.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Early Years Educator: the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. A natural next step after this Diploma.
  • Level 3 T-Level in Education and Early Years: a two-year full-time qualification combining classroom learning with an industry placement.
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship: earn while you learn in a paid early years role.
  • Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship: if you want to move into a school-based support role.
Apply on sixthform.uah.org.uk →
Apply now →

Related courses at University Academy Holbeach

More courses near you