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Childcare

Why Study Here

At Macclesfield College, our Childcare provision stands out with our newly invested Skills Hub, designed to replicate a real nursery setting. This amazing facility is equipped with a comprehensive range of toys and equipment, exceeding what you'd find in a typical nursery.

courses available in Childcare

Level 2: Early Years Practitioner

Level 2: Early Years Practitioner

Overview
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What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including but not limited to:
  • Child development from birth to 7 years
  • Play and learning
  • Exploring legislation
  • The role of the childcare practitioner
  • Nutrition
  • Physical development and physical activity
Statutory guidance states that all newly qualified entrants to the early years workforce who have completed a Level 2 and/or a Level 3 qualification must have also achieved either a full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) within three months of starting work in order to be included in the required staff: child rations at Level 2 or Level 3 in an early years setting. Therefore, alongside your programme of study, you will complete the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. As well as classroom delivery, you will also undertake placement in a real work environment with a requirement of 250 hours.   Alongside your main programme of study you will also study either GCSE or Functional Skills in English and maths if you have not achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above.

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

This course will allow progression to a T-Level course or to study an   Apprenticeship. You may also wish to go straight into the industry in a variety of Early Years roles.
graduation-cap

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

For this course you will need to have achieved one of the following: 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English or maths or an alternative Level 1 qualification. On successful completion of the course you will gain the CACHE Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner.

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full time programme for one academic year
Level 2: Early Years Practitioner
  • 2025/2026
apply now
T Level: Education and Childcare

T Level: Education and Childcare

Overview
apply now

What will I study?

Year 1: Core Components
  • Child development & learning
  • Safeguarding, health & safety and well-being
  • Supporting education (observation, assessment, SEND, EAL, equality & diversity)
  • Behaviour management & working with others
  • Reflective practice & core skills
Year 2: Early Years Educator Specialism
  • Supporting play, development & early education
  • Building relationships with children
  • Planning & providing care and learning opportunities
  • Safeguarding & promoting well-being
  • Working in partnership with parents, carers & professionals

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

On successful completion of this course students can progress into various rewarding Early Years, Childcare and Education roles, in the statutory, voluntary and private sector such as:
  • EYP in a day nursery or pre-school
  • EYP in a nursery school or reception class in a primary school
  • Becoming a nanny
  • Working on a cruise ship as a childcare worker
  • Working abroad as a childcare worker rep for a travel company
Students are also able to progress on to;
  • A higher or degree level apprenticeships
  • Higher level technical study including higher education.
graduation-cap

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

You will need GCSE’s (grade 4 and above) including maths and English. On successful completion of this programme, you will gain T Level in Education and Childcare. (Equivalent to 3 A Levels).

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full-time programme for 2 academic years.
T Level: Education and Childcare
  • 2025/2026
apply now

Level 2: Early Years Practitioner

Overview
apply now

What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including but not limited to:
  • Child development from birth to 7 years
  • Play and learning
  • Exploring legislation
  • The role of the childcare practitioner
  • Nutrition
  • Physical development and physical activity
Statutory guidance states that all newly qualified entrants to the early years workforce who have completed a Level 2 and/or a Level 3 qualification must have also achieved either a full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) within three months of starting work in order to be included in the required staff: child rations at Level 2 or Level 3 in an early years setting. Therefore, alongside your programme of study, you will complete the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. As well as classroom delivery, you will also undertake placement in a real work environment with a requirement of 250 hours.   Alongside your main programme of study you will also study either GCSE or Functional Skills in English and maths if you have not achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above.

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

This course will allow progression to a T-Level course or to study an   Apprenticeship. You may also wish to go straight into the industry in a variety of Early Years roles.
graduation-cap

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

For this course you will need to have achieved one of the following: 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English or maths or an alternative Level 1 qualification. On successful completion of the course you will gain the CACHE Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner.

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full time programme for one academic year
Level 2: Early Years Practitioner
  • 2025/2026
apply now

T Level: Education and Childcare

Overview
apply now

What will I study?

Year 1: Core Components
  • Child development & learning
  • Safeguarding, health & safety and well-being
  • Supporting education (observation, assessment, SEND, EAL, equality & diversity)
  • Behaviour management & working with others
  • Reflective practice & core skills
Year 2: Early Years Educator Specialism
  • Supporting play, development & early education
  • Building relationships with children
  • Planning & providing care and learning opportunities
  • Safeguarding & promoting well-being
  • Working in partnership with parents, carers & professionals

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

On successful completion of this course students can progress into various rewarding Early Years, Childcare and Education roles, in the statutory, voluntary and private sector such as:
  • EYP in a day nursery or pre-school
  • EYP in a nursery school or reception class in a primary school
  • Becoming a nanny
  • Working on a cruise ship as a childcare worker
  • Working abroad as a childcare worker rep for a travel company
Students are also able to progress on to;
  • A higher or degree level apprenticeships
  • Higher level technical study including higher education.
graduation-cap

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

You will need GCSE’s (grade 4 and above) including maths and English. On successful completion of this programme, you will gain T Level in Education and Childcare. (Equivalent to 3 A Levels).

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full-time programme for 2 academic years.
T Level: Education and Childcare
  • 2025/2026
apply now

aspirational

Careers

Nursery Assistant

Room Leader

Family Support Worker

Children's Social Worker

Teaching Assistant

Speech and Language Therapist

Child Psychologist

Educational Consultant

  • Skills required for Childcare
  • Knowledge of child development
  • Communication skills to work in partnership with parents and external agencies
  • Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (EYFS)
  • Paediatric first aid
  • Good attention to detail
  • Ability to work well within a team & on your own and take initiative

Trips/employers

Experience exciting trips to industry leaders like top design studios and galleries, offering first hand experience of professional environments. These visits allow networking with potential employers and provide insight into the dynamic Art & Design industry.

Additionally, industry experts will deliver guest talks throughout the course, sharing valuable tips and techniques to enhance your learning.

2 childcare students happily practice giving bottles to dolls while the tutor observes

Trips/employers

Throughout your childcare course, you will benefit from guest talks by industry specialists at all levels. These professionals will share valuable insights and advice to enhance your learning experience. You will also have the opportunity to participate in trips to diverse learning environments such as forest schools, where you can explore innovative approaches to early years education.

Skye Oliver

Skye Oliver

STUDENT

SPOTLIGHT

Skye’s time at Macclesfield College was exceptional, leading to her well deserved recognition as Childcare Student of the Year. Her dedication, hard work and positive attitude made her a standout student with a bright future ahead.

Skye approached every lesson with enthusiasm, consistently showing a passion for learning and growth. Her perfect attendance, both at college and during her placement, reflected her commitment to her studies and her future career in childcare.

 We are incredibly proud of Skye’s achievements and look forward to seeing her continue to thrive as she embarks on the next stage of her career.

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