Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner

For this course you will need to have achieved one of the following:

• 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English or Maths at grade 3 or higher, or prior achievement at level 1. Subject to awarding body conditions.

During this course you will study fourteen mandatory units which are split into three themes and a Professional Skills Record. As well as classroom delivery, you will also undertake placement in a real work environment with a requirement of 250 hours.

Units include:
• Child development from birth to 7 years
• Play and learning
• Exploring legislation
• The role of the childcare practitioner
• Nutrition
• Physical development and physical activity

Alongside your main programme of study you will also study either GCSE or Functional Skill in English and Maths if you have not achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above. If you have achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Maths, you will engage in extending these skills through a Directed Study Programme.

All units are internally assessed using a portfolio of evidence. Each unit is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction and then an overall grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction is awarded on completion. Learners are also required to achieve a pass grade for a synoptic short-answer paper which is externally set and externally marked which covers all six units within the qualification. Finally, you will also be required to complete a Professional Skills Record in both and early years and primary school setting.

GCSE and Functional Skills qualifications are assessed through external examination and portfolio work.

On successful completion of this course you may wish:

To apply to study the:
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education (EYE) this is completed over 2 years;
CACHE LEVEL 3 Certificate in Childcare & Education (1 year course progressing onto the Diploma)
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education (2nd year)

Or into Health and Social care:
CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Alternatively, you could progress in the workplace in a variety of job roles, such as:

Nursery assistant
Classroom assistant
Preschool assistant

Additional help and support is available to you should you require it and you can discuss this further at your admissions interview.

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.

For further information, advice and guidance call The Learner Experience Team on 01625 410062.