Diploma for the early years practitioner (Level 2)

Overview

This course is aimed at people new to early years or unqualified staff in the role of Early Years Practitioner. You can be in a paid or volunteer role, but you will need to have regular hours with your early years setting prior to and during the course. (This could include a child-minding setting.) This approved qualification allows a learner to count towards the Level 2 ratio as a qualified Level 2 Early Years Practitioner within the Early Years Workforce.

You will develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for working with children, families, and colleagues. This qualification prepares learners to work with children from birth to five years, with knowledge of children up to seven years. There are 14 units including: supporting child development, promoting play, supporting children with SEND, positive behaviour, communicating and maintaining professional relationships, safeguarding, equality and safety.

The course is delivered through tutor led online learning. There will be a mixture of tasks and discussions, Q&A, and time to practice your skills in your setting. The tutor will use break out rooms for small group work in addition to the above and there will be some e-learning to support your knowledge development. In the work place you should have the opportunity to observe and or shadow experienced colleagues modelling good practice.

Entry requirements

You will need to be over 17 and working/volunteering regularly in an early years setting, that allows you to demonstrate the skills-based part of the qualification. There are no formal entry requirements for this course but you will need an appropriate level of literacy to complete your qualification and commit to 2-3 hours per week study time. For the online part of the course, you will need to access and use our teaching platform we have introductory courses to help you use online classrooms.

Assessment criteria

Your tutor will review and assess your progress against the qualification criteria. This will be through asking questions to check your understanding of the knowledge and observing your practical skills. You will be required to complete an assignment for each unit, this can include explanations, case study, reflective practice and presentations. For skills-based criteria this can be through observation in the workplace, simulation and professional discussion or witness statements from peers.

What do I need?

You will a laptop or tablet and a reliable internet connection to join the online classes. You will need a quiet place to study and agreed time to complete your qualification with your setting. Working in an early years setting will require a DBS check and will be completed by your workplace. All course materials with be provided during the sessions, if you are interested to research further, you will need access to the internet or your local library service.

During your qualification you must complete/record 250 placement hours with your early years setting, this can be paid or voluntary. (This does not have to be in addition to the hours already worked unless this is less than the required number across the qualification period. For example - across a 38 week course this would be equivalent to approx. 7 hours per week.)

For online sessions you will need an ICT device connected to the internet and software such as Word to enable you to complete and upload your work. Please note, a mobile phone is not suitable for online learning. You will need access to the Early Years Foundation statutory framework (online or printed). For all sessions, it’s often handy to have a pen and some paper, or a notebook available, if you want to make notes.

What can I do next?

This qualification allows a learner to count towards the Level 2 ratio as a qualified Level 2 Early Years Practitioner within the Early Years Workforce. Learners may work under supervision in a variety of roles such as: • nursery practitioner • classroom assistant • pre-school practitioner. You could progress onto: Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications or the Early Years Educator Apprenticeship, or other L3 qualifications such as Supporting Teaching and Learning.