Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Practitioner (Diploma) for Early Years.

Attendance: Full Time

Course level: 2

Location: Wellington Road Campus

Course code: CP0056

Start dates:

07/09/2026

Age:

Is this course right for me?

If you want to work in the childcare or early years sector, this level 2 qualification is a great place to get your future career underway!

The Level 2 in Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Practitioner (Diploma) for Early Years will give you an overview of the early years sector. You will gain skills, knowledge and understanding in a number of key areas and also get the opportunity to improve your English and maths grades, if necessary.

As part of the course, you will complete a work placement in a relevant early years setting that will make up 50% of the qualification –  200 hours mandatory. This will enable you to work alongside existing staff, put the skills and knowledge you have gained into practice in the work place, and use the learning from your placement to inform your studies back at college.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of hands-on learning activities and benefit from visits from guest speakers who will provide insights into career opportunities and share their first-hand experience of working in the early years sector.

Successful completion of the course will enable you to progress to the Early Years and Education T Level, which is a Level 3 qualification and is the equivalent of three A Levels.

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Course details

Entry Requirements:

To access the course, you are required to have:

  • Four or more GCSEs, including English at grade 3 or above OR
  • An Early Years Level 1 qualification with English at grade 3 or above
  • An interest in the subject and keenness to study
  • Good attendance and punctuality

You will also be required to attend an interview with an admissions tutor to determine your suitability for the course and will be required to have a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check – paperwork for this will be completed during induction week at the start of the academic year.

What will I learn?

During this course you will study the following modules:

  • Support physical care routines for children
  • An introduction to the role of the early years practitioner
  • Understand how to work in partnership
  •  Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children
  •  Use legislation relating to the health and safety of children
  • Use legislation relating to equality, diversity and inclusive practice
  •  Understand how to plan to meet the needs of the developing child
  • Supporting children’s play
  • Support children’s play in early years
  • Support the needs of the child in preparing for school
  • Supporting children’s development
  • Use observation, assessment and planning
  • Support children’s positive behaviour
  • Engage in professional development
  • Support healthy lifestyles for children through exercise
  • Support creative play

What skills will I gain?

By studying this course you will:

  • Develop your understanding of child development
  • Learn how to assess children and plan to meet their individual needs
  • Develop an awareness of health and safety, safeguarding and child protection
  • Develop your confidence in working with children and professionals
  • Improve your study skills
  • Gain valuable team working and communication skills by taking part in group activities

How will I be assessed?

This is an assignment-based course and you will be assessed as follows:

  • You will be continually assessed throughout the course by your tutors.
  •  When in placement, you will be observed to meet specific criteria and you will be expected to create activity plans and implement these at this time – full training on how to create these will be provided within this course

What can I do next?

The skills you learn on this course will enable you to:

  •  Progress to the Early Years and Education T Level
  • Level 3 apprenticeship in Early Years

Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Practitioner (Diploma) for Early Years.

Course code: CP0056

Full Time

2

Wellington Road Campus

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