Free Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Course in Stoke-on-Trent. Classes run at Stoke-on-Trent College Cauldon Campus, full-time during the day. This 34-week course prepares you to work safely and competently with children in a supervised role, across a wide range of childcare settings. You'll learn to support children and families alongside different professionals and volunteers. You'll need a clear DBS check before you start, and you'll be required to purchase a uniform. NCFE Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Practitioner (Diploma) with certificate.
Who this course is for
This programme aims to prepare students to work in a supervised role competently, safely and effectively with children. It will prepare you to work in a wide range of settings with different professionals and volunteers, recognising and valuing the importance of all of them in providing a service for children and their families.
Entry requirements
4 grade 3's at GCSE ideally English and maths, an appropriate Level 1 qualification.. You will have a pre-induction interview/assessment to make sure this is the right level for you. All learners will need to have a clear CRB prior to the start of the course
and wil be required to purchase a uniform.
What you will learn
You'll develop the skills to work safely and effectively with children in supervised childcare settings.
You'll learn how to support children's development and wellbeing across different age groups.
You'll understand how to work alongside other professionals and volunteers in early years environments.
You'll learn how to recognise and respond to the needs of children and their families.
You'll explore the importance of safeguarding and child protection in early years practice.
You'll build knowledge of health, safety, and hygiene standards relevant to childcare settings.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Cauldon Campus, combining taught content with practical activities. Assessment is built into the programme and will include a pre-induction interview and assessment before you start, to confirm this is the right level for you. You'll also need to complete a DBS check prior to beginning the course.
What you will need to bring
You'll need to purchase a uniform before the course begins. Stoke-on-Trent College Cauldon Campus will confirm the specific uniform requirements and anything else you need ahead of your start date.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery practitioner: work in a supervised role in a nursery setting
Nursery assistant: support children's daily care and activities
Childcare assistant: assist in playgroups, crèches, or day nurseries
Early years teaching assistant: support learning in a reception or pre-school class
After-school club assistant: supervise and engage children in out-of-school settings
Family support worker: work with families in community childcare services
What you could study next
Level 3 Early Years Educator: the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. This is the natural next step if you want to take on greater responsibility in a childcare setting.
Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce: a broader qualification covering leadership and specialist practice in early years.
Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning: if you're interested in moving into a school-based role as a teaching assistant.
