Summary
Are you ready to take the next step towards a career in early years education and care? This course is a nationally recognised qualification that prepares you for working directly with babies and young children in a professional setting. It’s ideal for learners who are already volunteering or employed in early years environments and want to gain a full occupational qualification.
This course covers the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing from birth to age five. You’ll explore topics such as safeguarding, child development, play, health and safety, and inclusive practice. With a strong focus on hands-on experience and reflective learning, this diploma equips you to become a confident, competent Early Years Practitioner ready to make a positive impact in children’s lives.
Looking to build a career in Teaching, Early Years or Health & Social Care?
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.
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
This qualification prepares you for a range of roles in early years settings, where you’ll work directly with babies and young children to support their learning, development, and wellbeing. It’s ideal for those looking to begin or formalise a career in childcare and education.
This additional qualification builds on your knowledge and supports your development in trauma-informed practice, an increasingly valuable skill in early years and care environments.
This course also forms the foundation for further study and progression within the Working in Early Years Pathway, which includes the following courses.
WORKING IN EARLY YEARS PATHWAY
Next steps at B&FC
This Level 3 qualification builds on your practical experience and prepares you for more advanced, regulated roles in early years education and care, including key worker responsibilities and leadership opportunities.
Employment Opportunities
This qualification enables you to work directly with babies and young children under supervision in a variety of early years settings. It provides the practical skills and knowledge needed to begin a rewarding career in childcare and education.
Potential job roles include:
Early Years Practitioner | Nursery Assistant | Preschool Assistant | Childcare Support Worker | Crèche Assistant | Playgroup Assistant
Key information
Qualification obtained
Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Practitioner (Diploma)Fees and funding
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 the to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.
Extra costs and equipment
There are no additional costs associated with this course.
Terms and conditions
Read our full Terms and Conditions for more information.
What will I learn?
This course equips you with the essential knowledge and hands-on skills to work confidently with babies and young children in early years settings. You’ll explore how to support development, promote wellbeing, and create safe, inclusive environments that nurture learning and growth.
You will study the following units:
- Roles and responsibilities of the early years practitioner – Understand your role in supporting children’s development, safeguarding, and wellbeing.
- Health and safety of babies and young children in the early years – Learn how to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children in your care.
- Equality, diversity and inclusive practice in early years settings – Explore how to create inclusive environments that respect and celebrate individual differences.
- Safeguarding, protection and welfare of babies and young children in early years settings – Gain the knowledge to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns.
- Understand how to support children’s development – Learn about key stages of development and how to support learning through play and interaction.
- Support care routines for babies and young children – Develop skills to carry out daily routines such as feeding, toileting, and rest.
- Support the planning and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes – Learn how to contribute to planning and delivering engaging learning experiences.
- Promote play in an early years setting – Understand the value of play and how to support different types of play.
- Support wellbeing of babies and young children for healthy lifestyles – Explore how to encourage healthy eating, hygiene, and emotional wellbeing.
- Support babies and young children to be physically active – Learn how to promote movement and physical development through age-appropriate activities.
- Support the needs of babies and young children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) – Understand how to provide inclusive support for children with additional needs.
- Promote positive behaviour in early years settings – Learn strategies to encourage positive behaviour and manage challenging situations.
- Partnership working in the early years – Discover how to work effectively with parents, carers, and professionals to support children’s development.
- Support the needs of the child in preparing for school – Explore how to help children develop the skills and confidence needed for a successful transition to school.
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
To meet the assessment requirements of this qualification, learners must be working in an early years setting throughout the course. This placement allows you to apply your learning in real-world contexts and develop the practical skills needed to become a competent Early Years Practitioner.
At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we also enhance your learning experience through guest speakers and employer engagement activities. These may include visits from nursery managers, early years professionals, and family support workers who share insights into current practice, career pathways, and the realities of working in the 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 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.