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Education and Early Years

Course Code: ETEY
  • Level: 2
  • Qualification: Extended Diploma
  • Awarding body: Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE)
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Full-time
  • Time of day: Daytime
  • When you'll study: Various days and times
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What's it all about?

This course will provide you with a strong understanding of the development of babies and young children from birth to seven years, with applied learning focused on the early years (birth to five). You’ll gain introductory sector knowledge of professional practice, supporting a broader understanding of the Early Years Practitioner (EYP) pathway, alongside optional units that develop transferable employability skills.

Course information

This course will prepare you for work in early years and childcare settings, developing the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing from birth to five years.

You will study core early years principles, practise safe and effective care, and gain an understanding of the professional standards and behaviours expected within the sector. The course combines theoretical learning with hands-on skills to equip you for employment, Apprenticeships or further study in early years.

Course Units

Child Development

  • Stages of development from birth to five years.
  • Factors influencing physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth.
  • Observation and assessment of children’s progress.

Early Years Practice

  • Planning and delivering play-based learning.
  • Creating an enabling environment indoors and outdoors.
  • Supporting children’s interests and learning needs.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

  • Promoting health and hygiene in early years settings.
  • Understanding safeguarding, risk assessments and child protection.
  • First aid awareness for young children.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

  • Principles of inclusive practice.
  • Supporting positive behaviour and communication.
  • Respecting individual needs, cultures and backgrounds.

Communication and Interaction

  • Effective communication with children and adults.
  • Supporting language and early literacy development.
  • Building positive relationships with families and colleagues.

Professional Practice

  • Roles and responsibilities of the early years practitioner.
  • Professional behaviour, ethics and confidentiality.
  • Working within statutory frameworks (e.g., EYFS).

Supporting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

  • Understanding SEN support approaches.
  • Working with additional needs sensitively and appropriately.

In order to succeed on this course, you must have achieved five GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English and maths.

You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including coursework and a work placement.

On successful completion, you can progress to the T Level in Childhood Education (Early Years Education; Assisting Teaching) at the College.

Future careers

What you could earn:

Child and Early Years Officers

£42,627.29

Potential salary

£16,563.79

Entry level salary

£29,659.99

Average salary

7

Annual openings in Plymouth

View career details

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