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Understanding Mental Health in the Early Years - Level 2

Summary

Mental health problems can start in early years, even if they don’t present any symptoms. The environment children grow up in and their ability to handle the pressures and stresses of growing up all play an important part in preventing problems developing as they grow up.

This qualification is designed for those who wish to understand mental health in young children in the early years (from birth to 5 years old), the significance of attachment and adverse childhood experiences for young children in the early years and the role of the Early Years Practitioner to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.

The course is delivered remotely and runs over 12 weeks with 4.5 hours of scheduled contact time each week. You will be assigned a subject specialist course tutor who will deliver the live scheduled sessions. The tutor will also be available for weekly support and to guide you from the beginning to the completion of your qualification.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
14 Apr 2026
Bispham Campus
10 Weeks

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This qualification provides specialist knowledge relevant to a wide range of roles within childcare, education and, in particular, early years. It would also support employment of progressing to senior and more specialist positions.

Key information

Entry Requirements

No previous training or experience is required for this programme but you must be over 19 year of age on the 31st August before the course start date.

Qualification obtained

Certificate in Understanding Mental Health in the Early Years

Fees and funding

Read our tuition fees guide.

Extra costs and equipment

As this course is delivered online, regular access to IT is essential in order to attend the sessions and to complete the assessment tasks/electronic workbooks. All other equipment/resources you require for this course are provided by B&FC at no extra cost.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: NCFE

Terms and conditions

Read our full Terms and Conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

There are no work placements and no field trips on this programme.

How will I learn?

Within these sessions there will be tutor delivery, question and answer, discussion, group work tasks and individual tasks.

It is expected that you will complete a minimum of 3 hours independent study, each week, outside of the class to complete the assessment tasks which take the form of electronic workbooks.

Expert tutors

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

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

This knowledge only qualification consists of 3 mandatory units:

  • Unit 01 Understand mental health for young children in the early years
  • Unit 02 Understand the significance of attachment and adverse childhood experiences for young children in the early years
  • Unit 03 Understand the role of the Early Years Practitioner supporting mental health and wellbeing for young children in the early years

Assessment is made following the completion of electronic workbooks or written tasks.