Early Childhood Studies - Certificate of Higher Education
Summary
The Early Childhood Studies Certificate of Higher Education at Blackpool and The Fylde College is designed for those 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 long‑term success in a fast‑evolving early years sector.
Closely aligned with the needs of employers across Blackpool and the wider North West and developed in partnership with local authorities and early years providers, the course is ideal if you are already working in an early years setting, or if you are seeking to build a professional career in childcare, family support or early years services.
You will explore advanced theoretical principles, contemporary issues and wider social, political and economic influences that shape early childhood practice today. Alongside this, you’ll develop key professional skills including communication, observation, reflection, digital confidence and leadership, enabling you to apply theory effectively within your workplace or placement.
A mandatory employment or placement requirement ensures learning remains vocationally relevant and current, allowing you to test ideas in practice and build confidence as a reflective practitioner. The programme also supports you to become an independent, resilient and autonomous learner, with dedicated academic support and personal learning mentors guiding you throughout your studies.
On successful completion of this one-year Level 4 qualification, you can progress to the Foundation Degree, and then onto the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, validated by Lancaster University. This flexible pathway opens doors to a wide range of leadership, management and postgraduate opportunities, including careers in early years management, family services, education, social work and related professional training routes.
- Course code SM1HE130
- UCAS code L521
- Duration 18 Months
- Day/s of week Monday and Thursday
- Time 18:00 - 21:00
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
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07 Sep 2026
|
University Centre
|
18 Months
|
|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
University Centre
|
1 Year
|
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
Tutor Profile - Francoise Peill
Area of Expertise:
Early Years, Children and Families, Safeguarding and Multi-disciplinary Working, Child Health and Wellbeing, Third Sector Strategic Management.
Enjoys teaching at B&FC because:
Education has the power to change lives and transform local communities and it's amazing when you encounter this life-changing effect within your own classroom.
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
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
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.
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
Student case study - Shirley Khan
Why did you choose B&FC?
I looked at different courses but realised I needed to start from scratch with my GCSEs to build the right entry qualifications. Going to B&FC meant I could study all the qualifications I needed in one place. It just made sense.
What have been the benefits of studying here?
Smaller class sizes which means everyone gets one-to-one help and a really friendly, supportive atmosphere which makes going back into education so much easier.
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% |