Love working with young children? Our Level 2 childcare course prepares you for a rewarding career caring for babies and young children in nurseries, pre-schools and reception classes.
Over two years, you’ll develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours you need to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing. The course leads to the Level 2 Occupational Certificate: Early Years Practitioner, a new qualification starting in September 2027. It meets the Department for Education’s criteria, so employers recognise it as a Level 2 early years qualification.
You’ll also complete around 250 hours of work placement in an early years setting, putting what you learn into practice with real children.
What you'll learn
The course starts with an introduction to working in early years, then builds the specialist knowledge and skills you need to work as an early years practitioner.
Topics include:
- Child development from birth to five, and from five to seven
- Supporting children’s learning through play and planning age-appropriate activities
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Health, safety, hygiene and nutrition
- Care routines, such as feeding, nappy changing and sleep
- Supporting communication and language, and early reading, writing and maths
- Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and promoting inclusion
- Observing children and planning their next steps
- Working with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals
- Environmental sustainability in early years settings
- Recognising first aid emergencies and knowing how to respond
You’ll also build valuable transferable skills, including communication, teamwork, research, decision-making and digital skills.
How you'll learn and be assessed
You’ll learn through a mix of classroom teaching and practical activities at college, combined with your work placement. Your placement lets you link what you learn in class to real early years practice and reflect on your own development.
You’ll be assessed through:
- Practical observations in an early years setting
- Assignments and written tasks
- Professional discussions and questioning
- Reflective accounts and case studies
- A portfolio of evidence
Progression
After this course, you could start work as an early years practitioner, nursery assistant, pre-school assistant or childcare assistant.
You could also progress to:
- A Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification
- other Level 3 courses in childcare, education, or supporting teaching and learning
- an apprenticeship in early years or education
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Entry requirements
You’ll need to complete a work placement and provide your own stationery.
