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Course overview
The aim of this qualification is to prepare you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to become an early years educator, enabling you to work with children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5-7 years.
The course covers the health and well-being of children and their learning, play, and development to prepare them for school. You will also study the legislation, frameworks, and professional practice involved in working in an early-year’s setting. Upon successful completion of this course, you can apply to roles such as early years educator/practitioner to work in early years settings with children aged from birth to five years old.
Course fees:
Study Online – £1,999
Study Pack – £2,039
- Monthly instalment plan available
- No government funding available for this course
*If you choose to purchase a study pack, you will receive all of your study materials in printed format, along with a study guide, on OSC pen with highlighter, a study planner and notebook.
Job outcomes
- Educator in day nurseries
- Educator in nursery schools
- Educator in reception classes in primary schools
- Pre-school worker
Recognition
Study method
- Blended
- In-class
- Online
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Duration study load
You will have up to 18 months to complete this course and undertake 864 guided learning hours.
Entry requirements
- You must be aged 16 or over. You will need to hold a suitable UK-recognised Level 2 qualification in English to enrol on to this course, for example, Functional Skills
- A placement in an Early Years Setting is needed to cover the required number of hours.
- A risk assessment will need to be carried out once you are in placement.
Course features
- Dedicated personal tutor support with unlimited email access.
- Dedicated learner services from our learner services team.
- Workplace assessments required to complete the course.
- Course materials with learning activities.
- Assignment marking and feedback from your personal tutor.
- A free CV critique service and employability guide if you’re focusing on career advancement.
- A free XO Student Discounts membership to save you money on your favourite brands.
- Free NCFE CACHE Alumni membership for two years.
- A study pack including a pen, study planner, and notebook*.
* Not included with the online study option
Work placement
You will need to be working, volunteering, or doing practical placements as you need to show competence in both knowledge and skills. The recommended number of placement hours for this course is 350 hours. The minimum requirement is 300 hours.
It is important that your work placement is across the age range from birth to five years old. It is essential you secure a placement that can provide you with a suitably qualified level-three mentor. An assessor will also need to sign off any additional evidence that you provide for your assessment relating to your placement.
Assessment
All units are internally assessed. This course requires an assessment of your practical skills within your working environment. Methods of assessment could include:
- Direct observation of practice
- Witness evidence when directed by the sector skills assessment strategy
- Professional discussion
- Reflection on own practice in real work situations
- Written assignments
Skills based outcomes must be achieved in a real work environment in an early years setting with the support of a personal mentor.
Your written assignments will be submitted via email to your tutor for marking.
Please note: A placement in an Early Years Setting is needed to cover the required number of hours. A risk assessment will need to be carried out once you are in placement.
Delivery
The course materials can either be emailed online or posted to you as a study pack depending on which you select at enrolment. You will receive your tutor support by email.
Do I need to be working in a nursery to enrol onto this course?
Yes, you will need to be working, volunteering, or on practical placement as you need to show competence in both knowledge and skills. The recommended number of placement hours for this course is 350 hours. The minimum requirement is 300 hours.
It is important that your work placement is across the age range from birth to five years old. It is essential you secure a placement that can provide you with a suitably qualified level-three mentor. An assessor will also need to sign off any additional evidence that you provide for your assessment relating to your placement.
Subjects
GLH – Guided Learning Hours
- Understand the professional roles and responsibilities required to work in an early years setting.
- Understand procedures that must be adhered to in the work setting and their importance.
- Understand the role of supervision.
- Understand professional development.
- Use and model good communication skills.
- Explain how the behaviours of an early years educator can impact babies and children and the importance of role-modelling positive behaviours.
- Be confident in supporting or challenging the practice of colleagues.
- Be able to follow procedures in the work setting.
- Be able to foster a culture of mutual support, teamwork and continuous improvement that encourages confidential discussion of sensitive issues.
- Be able to seek out feedback from others and use reflection to identify and support career development and personal goals.
- Understand the expected patterns of babies and children’s development from conception to 7 years old.
- Understand key milestones for holistic development.
- Understand the influence of key individuals and the importance of attachments
- Understand the significance of physical, mental and emotional health and well-being.
- Understand co-regulation and self-regulation in children.
- Understand a range of evidence-based theories and research that underpin early years development and be able to apply these theories in practice.
- Be able to support children in forming positive attachments.
- Know about legislation and guidance for children and young people with SEND
- Understand that there are appropriate strategies for supporting a baby or child with SEND.
- Understand that there are specialist aids, resources and equipment available and be able to use them.
- Explain and apply the early years foundation stage statutory framework.
- Work effectively in partnership with others, including parents and carers.
- Effectively carry out a child’s care plan, with ongoing reviews.
- Analyse and explain how cultural background and circumstances can impact on learning and development.
- Understand the impact of an effective communication and language curriculum that offers positive benefits to development.
- Understand that children develop at their own pace and there are different ways to communicate with every child.
- Develop, support and promote speech, language and communication through effective planned adult interactions.
- Apply a range of communication methods for effective collaborative working.
- Understand the signs of harm and the different types of abuse and what these are.
- Understand legislation, policy and procedure in relation to keeping children safe.
- Be able to recognise when a baby or child is in danger of at rise of abuse (including online) and know how to act to protect them.
- Be able to follow Ofsted’s whistleblowing policy
- Understand legal requirements and statutory guidance on health and safety.
- Understand it is important to ensure equipment, furniture and materials are used safely and the dangers of not doing so.
- Understand the role of policy and procedure in maintaining the health, wellbeing and safety of babies and children.
- Understand that it is important to prevent and control infection.
- Be able to carry out risk assessment and risk management.
- Understand how to maintain accurate and coherent records and reports to share information when appropriate.
- Be able to implement effective strategies for preventing and controlling infection.
- Understand how evidence-based philosophical and pedagogical approaches influence the early years foundation stage.
- Understand that all children and young people are entitled to education which is appropriate to their needs and promotes the fulfilment of their full potential.
- Understand that a carefully planned and sequenced curriculum is essential for all children.
- Promote equality of opportunity in the education and care of all children in early years provision.
- Be able to adapt teaching to suit babies and children’s different starting points, experiences and knowledge.
- Understand the role of assessment in helping parents, carers and educators to recognise children’s progress.
- Understand the role of the early years educator for effective and accurate, proportionate assessment.
- Understand the key stages in assessing children’s progress.
- Be able to carry out assessment effectively, plan and record the outcomes, and share results accurately and confidently.
- Understand theories of play and its fundamental role in learning and development.
- Understand different types of play of play for all children.
- Understand inclusive play practice.
- Be able to plan, lead and evaluate play opportunities in an early years setting.
- Be able to apply theoretical perspectives and philosophical approaches in planning play opportunities.
- Understand the importance of developing and maintaining good relationships and partnerships in an early years setting.
- Understand the significance of parent and carer engagement.
- Understand that Ofsted is responsible for the regulation and inspection of early years provision.
- Be able to work in partnership with parents and carers to help them recognise and value the significant contributions they make.
The minimum placement hours for this qualification is 300 hours. However, it is recommended that learners undertake 350 hours where possible.
About Open Study College
Established in 2007, Open Study College is a distance learning course provider that has helped over 130,000 learners take the next step towards achieving their ambitions.
With over 700 courses, ranging from A Levels and GCSEs through to childcare and beauty therapy — there’s something for everyone. All of their qualifications are independently accredited by established awarding organisations, fully equipping you for the future.
Why choose Open Study College?
Whether you’re in full-time work or have family commitments, distance learning at Open Study College provides the flexibility to create a study schedule that fits around the busy demands of day-to-day life. Accomplish your goals — at your pace, on your terms.
You will also receive the best possible support from the uber-friendly learner services team, as well as guidance from expert tutors who are on hand to answer any queries you might have throughout the duration of your course.
What makes Open Study College different?
Born from a genuine passion to improve the lives of others through education, Open Study College is a family-run business with decades of experience in the education and distance learning industry.
Seeking a career change? Didn’t get the exam results you wanted? Looking to learn a new skill? Enrol on one of their courses today and forge the future you’ve always wanted — all from the comfort of your own home!
Additional benefits
As an Open Study College learner, your benefits will include an XO Student Discounts membership, exclusive savings on future courses and a complete range of career support — including a free CV critique service, a free employability guide, and job-hunting help from their recruitment experts.
