Course Overview
This course is intended for anyone who wants to work in the field of children's care, learning and development. You can use the qualification to gain employment as a nursery assistant, creche worker, special needs assistant or other jobs which involve caring for children. During the course you will learn how to prepare and maintain environments for childcare, how to communicate with children and adults and how you can support children's play and learning. As well as your time in College, you will also enhance your practical skills with a work placement for two days per week (a total of 300 hours). You should have an enthusiastic approach to working with children and an interest in the study of child development.
Working with children can be one of the most rewarding of all careers, with a huge variety of jobs from working in exotic holiday destinations, to the challenge of working with teenagers who have specific needs.
Your course will cover the following units:
- Understanding Children's Development
- Keeping Children Safe
- Communication with Children and Adults
- Preparing and Maintaining Environments for Childcare
- Professional Development
- Supporting Children's Play and Learning
In addition you will enhance your practical skills through a work placement programme of two days per week.
Professional practice is assessed and a variety of coursework assignments.
Entry Requirements
You should have an enthusiastic approach to working with children and an interest in the study of child development.
You should have a minimum of four GCSEs at A*-D including English or a Level 1 Diploma (at Merit or Distinction), plus a satisfactory reference. Learners returning after a break in education should discuss entry requirements with one of our tutors.
As part of the entry criteria for this course you will need to have a check completed by the Disclosure and Barring service. This does not mean that if you have any previous convictions or warnings that you will not be able to join this programme, but an assessment will be completed as to your suitability to progress on to the programme. Please discuss with us in confidence if you have concerns about the content of your check.
You will need to be working or on a voluntary placement within a childcare environment for a minimum of 2 days a week. This could be within a children's centre, childminding setting, a nursery or school Early Years class. Students should organise this before enrolment.
You will also need to attend an interview with one of the Childhood Studies team to assess your suitability. Please contact Diane Fryer - Email: Diane.Fryer@kendal.ac.uk
After Your Course
Nursery assistant.
On successful completion of this one-year course you may be able to progress either to further qualifications in childcare, eg Level 3 Certificate for Children and Young Peoples Workforce or alternatively to employment in the field of childcare.
Fees
£1099.00
The fee displayed is the course fee. Course fees are per year for full-time & degree-level courses and per course for part-time courses.
There may be other costs associated with this course, e.g. kit, equipment, books, trips etc. Financial support may be available to support you with these. See the Student Money pages for more information.
Courses fees
The current full-time & degree-level fee information is related to the 2023/24 academic year.
Entry Level, Level 1 & Level 2 Courses
You may qualify for financial support to cover the cost of a government-funded qualification if any of the below apply to you:
- Have an annual salary of less than £20,319.
- Receive an eligible means-tested benefit, e.g. JSA, ESA or Universal Credit.
- Are aged 16-18 on 31/08/23 and are not studying at another school/college.
- Are aged 19 or over on 31/08/23 and do not already have a Level 1, 2 or 3 qualification.
- Have a household income under £35,000 and are in financial hardship.
See the Student Money pages for more information.
