Working In Early Years

Summary

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young children and their families? The Working in Early Years Pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College offers a structured, progressive route into a rewarding career in early years education and care. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, this pathway equips you with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to thrive in a variety of early years settings.

This pathway is designed as a progressive programme made up of several courses. You will advance through each of the following qualifications that build upon each other to develop your knowledge, skills and experience, with each level of learning preparing you for the next.

With a strong emphasis on trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, inclusive education, and real-world experience, this pathway is ideal for those who want to work in nurseries, preschools, schools, or family support services. You’ll benefit from expert tutors, blended learning, and meaningful placements that prepare you for employment or further study in the early years sector.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
Anytime	Bispham Campus		Apply now
Anytime	Bispham Campus		Apply now

A woman engages with children in a supportive circle, fostering interaction and connection among the group.

Looking to build a career in Teaching, Early Years or Health & Social Care?

Explore our pathways in Health, Education and Childcare to see how we can help you reach your career goals.

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Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

If you're passionate about supporting children's development and wellbeing, this pathway offers a structured route into a fulfilling career in early years education and care. Whether you're new to the sector or looking to build on existing experience, each stage of the pathway develops your knowledge, confidence, and practical skills.

Next steps at B&FC

The Working in Early Years Pathway is designed to support your progression from foundational knowledge to full occupational competence. At each stage, you’ll build the skills and confidence needed to take the next step in your career or education.

progress to higher-level study such as:

Employment Opportunities

Completing the Working in Early Years Pathway equips you with the practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and professional confidence to enter a variety of roles across the early years and care sectors. Depending on the level of qualification achieved, learners may be eligible for the following job roles:

Key information

Entry Requirements

Technical Entry Requirements: 

Age: 19 years or over (19+)

Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements: 

DBS Check: While a DBS check is not required for enrolment on the course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment working with children and young people. This check is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.  
English and Maths: A basic level of proficiency in English and Maths is recommended to support your learning and understanding of the course content.

These entry requirements ensure that students are adequately prepared for the course and any subsequent employment opportunities in settings involving children and young people.  

Fees and funding

Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.

To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.

Extra costs and equipment

There are no additional costs associated with this course.  

What will I learn?

The Working in Early Years Pathway offers a progressive learning journey that builds your knowledge, confidence, and practical skills across three key qualifications. Each stage is designed to deepen your understanding of child development, trauma-informed care, and professional practice in early years settings.

At Level 2 – Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):
You’ll explore how early trauma and family environments affect children’s development and long-term wellbeing. Key topics include:

Childhood and family structures
Types and impacts of ACEs
Strategies to support resilience and recovery in children

At Level 2 – Early Years Practitioner Diploma:
This hands-on qualification prepares you to work directly with babies and young children. You’ll learn how to:

Support child development through play and care routines
Promote health, safety, and wellbeing
Create inclusive, nurturing environments
Understand safeguarding and partnership working

At Level 3 – Early Years Educator Diploma:
You’ll develop the skills to work independently and take on leadership responsibilities. This includes:

Planning and delivering learning activities
Observing, assessing, and supporting children’s progress
Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusive practice
Supporting children with SEND and preparing them for school

Throughout the pathway, you’ll gain real-world experience through mandatory placements, apply your learning in practical settings, and benefit from expert-led sessions and employer engagement.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

All qualifications within the Working in Early Years Pathway require learners to be actively working or volunteering in appropriate early years settings. These placements are essential for meeting assessment requirements and applying theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts. At Level 3, learners must complete a minimum of 350 hours in regulated environments, ideally rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, to develop professional competence and confidence.

In addition to placements, students benefit from a rich programme of guest speakers and employer engagement activities. These include talks from professionals in trauma-informed care, safeguarding, SEND, and early intervention, as well as visits from nursery managers and family support workers. These experiences provide valuable insights into current practice and help learners connect their studies to the realities of working in the early years sector.

How will I learn?

Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.  

Teaching takes place in hybrid classrooms, allowing for interactive, tutor-led sessions that support both classroom-based and remote participation when appropriate. The programme primarily focuses on developing your theoretical knowledge, supported by practical, hands-on activities that help you apply what you’ve learned to real-world care scenarios.  

This flexible yet structured approach ensures that you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the health and social care sector through:

Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.  

Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.  

Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.  

Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.  

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively. 

Assessment Methods: 

Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks. 
Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios. 
Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate support.

Grading: 

The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass. 
The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.