Build professional skills for today's early years sector
This one-year Certificate of Higher Education in Early Childhood Studies is designed for people who are passionate about supporting the learning, development and wellbeing of babies and young children.
With a strong focus on employability, leadership and real‑world practice, the course prepares you for both further study and a long‑term career in a fast‑evolving early years sector.
What makes this course different
This course is closely aligned with the needs of employers across Blackpool and the wider North West and has been developed in partnership with local authorities and early years providers.
The course helps you to:
- develop a strong understanding of child development and early childhood practice
- explore contemporary issues shaping the early years sector
- apply theory confidently within real workplace or placement settings
It’s ideal if you’re already working in an early years role, or if you’re looking to build a professional career in childcare, family support or early years services.
Shape your learning around professional practice
You’ll explore advanced theoretical principles alongside the wider social, political and economic influences that affect early childhood practice today.
Alongside academic study, you’ll develop key professional skills, including:
- communication and observation
- reflection and critical thinking
- digital confidence
- leadership in early years settings
A mandatory employment or placement requirement ensures learning stays relevant and closely connected to practice, helping you build confidence as a reflective practitioner.
Support to help you succeed at degree level
You’ll be supported throughout your studies with dedicated academic guidance and personal learning mentors.
The course is designed to help you become an independent and confident learner, building the skills you need to progress with assurance in both higher education and professional practice.
Graduates go on to pursue careers across early years management, family services, education, social work and related professional sectors.
Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.
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86,694 Annual job openings in the North West
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£25,650 Average annual salary
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Well-resourced onsite training equipment
Entry Requirements
- A minimum of 48 UCAS points from L3 qualification in Early Years
- Work placement in relevant sector required
- English GCSE grade 4/C or above or functional skills at level 2
- Letter of support from employer confirming work experience and 12 months hands on experience in the workplace with children
- Must hold a current DBS
- Course code SM1HE130
- UCAS code L521
- Duration 1 Year
- Day/s of week Thursday
- Time 09:15 - 16:45
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
University Centre
|
1 Year
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
Completing this Early Childhood Studies qualification opens up a wide range of career and progression opportunities within the early years and children’s services sector. The programme equips you with necessary skills to support progression into roles such as Early Years Practitioner or Manager, Family Health Practitioner, Early Years Community Connector, Family Hub Support Worker or Manager.
It also provides a clear pathway onto the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, enabling further progression into management and leadership roles or postgraduate study in areas such as education, social work, teaching, nursing and family services, helping you build a long‑term, impactful career supporting children and families.
Next steps at B&FC
Progression to the 2nd year of the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies is the next step for students who successfully complete this qualification.
Employment Opportunities
Where you step off the educational ladder will, together with your work experience, determine what roles you can apply for successfully. With a Level 4 qualification, you can expect to secure positions as:
- Early Years Practitioner
- Assistant Nursery Manager
- Pre-School Practitioner
- Family Support Worker
- SEND Support Assistant
- Pastoral Care Worker
On completion of the Certificate in Higher Education in Early Childhood Studies you may wish to progress to the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies.
You may also be able to progress to a wide range of careers including early years practitioner, room leader, SENCO, early years community connector or family hub support worker.
Key information
Qualification obtained
CertHE Early Childhood StudiesFees and funding
Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding, including additional financial support for those on low incomes, with dependent children or adults, or with disabilities.
Extra costs and equipment
There are no additional costs associated with the programme although a laptop is recommended to support your studies. You may be required to pay for a DBS where you secure a voluntary or paid employment.
All core texts are available in the LRC along with IT support.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institution: N/A
Awarding Body: Lancaster University
Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will I learn?
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
This covered in the mandatory voluntary or employed hours in the sector as indicated in the Entry Requirements.
Learning Support - at a glance
- Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
- One-to-one and group learning support sessions
- Pre-degree preparation workshops
- IT Support
How will I learn?
Whilst lectures, seminars and practical workshops feature strongly in the teaching and learning strategy, we will be making considerable use of alternative methods of delivery and study, particularly online options such as tutor and self-assessment revision tests and formative exercises, Power-Point and other software-based lecture material, learning portals and hyper-linked resource-materials.
You may expect therefore to participate in a wide variety of learning activities including live presentations and discussion alongside more traditional modes of delivery. Additional support is available to all students in the form of specific one-to-one support sessions built in periodically to each module.
Our partners for success team can offer academic support and careers guidance.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships 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 a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 258 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 937 | 0 | 0 |
| Placement | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1195 | 0 | 0 |
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Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.
Not the course for you?
Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.
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View courseEarly Childhood Studies - Foundation Degree
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View courseChildren, Young People and Families - Certificate of Higher Education
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View courseEarly Years Lead Practitioner - Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
How will I be assessed?
Assessment for the Certificate of Higher Education will include a variety of formal and informal, formative and summative techniques. Assessment methods which you can expect to engage with include reports, essays, case study responses and presentations that aligns directly with your workplace to further strengthen the links between theory and practice.
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 52% | 0% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 48% | 0% | 0% |