Childcare & Education

This course is aimed at adults over 19-years-old who may already be working as unqualified staff or volunteering within an Early Years setting. You must be interested in creating an environment in which young children can thrive and have an aspiration to progress to a more senior role in this rewarding sector. It is ideal for students who need a flexible training solution, that fits around their lifestyle and workplace commitments. 

This qualification is designed to prepare you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to work in an early year setting and be included in staff to child ratios; to work with children from birth to five years and gain knowledge of children aged five to seven years. 

Through completion of 10 separate Units, the qualification aims to support you  to –  

• focus on the study of early years education 
• offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
• provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills 

You will need to be self-motivated as you will be required to study independently using suggested resources such as textbooks, trusted websites, Smart Assessor online portfolio, emails and Microsoft Teams. These resources will be introduced during your College Induction session. You will also need to fully participate in on-line tasks with your tutor and produce monthly evidence of course participation.  

To complete the practical skills requirement of this course, you will need to work or volunteer for approximately 300 placement hours in an Early Years setting, alongside your studies. We recommend you attend placement for a minimum of 6 hours a week. You will be supported and mentored by Early Years Practitioner’s (EYP) within the setting, who will work closely with your Assessor. 

Our Early Years team of highly qualified Assessors are as passionate about your success as you are and will provide as much one-to-one support as you need from enrolment, right through to receiving your certificate. 

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

Includes a licence to practice 

You could progress on to employment as a Day Nursery or Nursery School Practitioner, a Practitioner in Nursery School/ Units or a Pre-school worker. 

You may wish to enhance your employability by completing further online training related to this qualification such as PREVENT, Safeguarding or Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.    

There will be no examinations or external assessments. 

You will create an electronic portfolio to show evidence of your knowledge, understanding and practice in all aspects of Early Years Childcare and Education. This may include:  

• Written and practical tasks 
• Face to face discussions with your Assessor 
• Reflective accounts of your own practice/experiences  
• Witness testimonies from your Mentor/Qualified Colleagues. 

You will be visited by your assessor in your workplace and will be observed and assessed on your knowledge, skills and competence. 

You must be at least 19 years of age by 1st August of the academic year you are enrolling. 

There are no specific qualification requirements to enrol on the course, however, there is a requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYE) to hold GCSE English and maths A*-C, or a Level 2 qualification, including Functional Skills.  

If you do not currently hold either GCSE or Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Math, you will be encouraged to study this independently. Buxton and Leek College offer Math and English qualifications at no extra cost. 

As this programme will involve working with children, you will be required to undertake a satisfactory disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. 

This course is aimed at adults over 19-years-old who are currently employed and have a Level 3 childcare/ early years qualification and wish to continue with their education and development in this sector.

The Level 4 & 5 Foundation Degree in Children & Young People’s Services – Early Years course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to become a highly qualified and responsive practitioner. You could look forward to promotion to a senior role or even become a practice leader. In recent years, many of our graduates have continued on to a teacher training course and are now teaching.

In an ever-changing environment you will develop the flexibility to reflect upon existing bodies of knowledge and yet adapt to emerging ideas. The content of this course is reviewed regularly and changes to modules may be made to improve your experience and graduate prospects. However, modules that may be covered include:

• Higher Education (HE) Study Skills
• Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Early Years Provision and Practice
• Introduction to SEND
• Ethical Practice, Attitudes and Values
• Children and Young People Communicating
• Supporting Learners with SEND
• Children’s, Young People’s and Family Rights
• Working with Parents and Carers

You will attend weekly evening lessons that could be delivered face-to-face on campus or online. Work-based learning is central to the design of this programme therefore, to enable you to make effective links between theory and practice, its essential you are in a work placement while carrying out your studies.

In order to meet your professional and personal development needs this course is student centred and focuses on a tailored learning experience. You will be allocated a personal academic tutor who will work with you to get the most out of your time. We will expect you to feel challenged in your studies, but will help you gain the confidence to achieve your academic and professional goals.

FdA Children and Young People

You could progress on to senior level employment in a Day Nursery, Nursery School or Primary School.

You may wish to enhance your employability by continuing your education with a Level 6 Top Up Degree, or completing further online training related to this qualification such as PREVENT, Safeguarding or Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.

You will be assessed on your knowledge and understanding through a combination of assignments and essays.

You must have a relevant Level 3 qualification and GCSE’s including English and Maths.

As this programme will involve working with children, you will be required to undertake a satisfactory disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

This course is aimed at adults over 19-years-old who are currently employed and have a Level 3 childcare/ early years qualification and wish to continue with their education and development in this sector.

The Level 4 & 5 Foundation Degree in Children & Young People’s Services – SEND course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to become a highly qualified and responsive practitioner. You could look forward to promotion to a senior role or even become a practice leader. In recent years, many of our graduates have continued on to a teacher training course and are now teaching.

In an ever-changing environment you will develop the flexibility to reflect upon existing bodies of knowledge and yet adapt to emerging ideas. The content of this course is reviewed regularly and changes to modules may be made to improve your experience and graduate prospects. However, modules that may be covered include:

• Higher Education (HE) Study Skills
• Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Early Years Provision and Practice
• Introduction to SEND
• Ethical Practice, Attitudes and Values
• Children and Young People Communicating
• Supporting Learners with SEND
• Children’s, Young People’s and Family Rights
• Working with Parents and Carers

You will attend weekly evening lessons that could be delivered face-to-face on campus or online. Work-based learning is central to the design of this programme therefore, to enable you to make effective links between theory and practice, its essential you are in a work placement while carrying out your studies.

In order to meet your professional and personal development needs this course is student centred and focuses on a tailored learning experience. You will be allocated a personal academic tutor who will work with you to get the most out of your time. We will expect you to feel challenged in your studies, but will help you gain the confidence to achieve your academic and professional goals.

FdA Children and Young People

You could progress on to senior level employment in a Day Nursery, Nursery School or Primary School.

You may wish to enhance your employability by continuing your education with a Level 6 Top Up Degree, or completing further online training related to this qualification such as PREVENT, Safeguarding or Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.

You will be assessed on your knowledge and understanding through a combination of assignments and essays.

You must have a relevant Level 3 qualification and 4 – 5 GCSE’s including English and Maths.

As this programme will involve working with children, you will be required to undertake a satisfactory disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.