Quick facts
| Qualification type | Level 2 Certificate |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Study times | You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:00 to 4:15. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction. |
| Entry requirements | Entry is by interview. Applicants will need a minimum of four GCSE's Grade 3 or above. Applicants will need a minimum of Grade 3 English GCSE or Level 1 Functional skill and a minimum of Grade 3 Maths or Maths Level 1 Functional skills. |
| Campus | West Suffolk College Sixth Form Campus, Bury St Edmunds |
| Work placements | Yes, two days a week (250 hours). |
Is it for me?
If you are interested in having a rewarding career with children and young people, this course could be the first step to get you there. The course will provide you with the knowledge and skill needed when working under supervision with children and young people from birth to 19 years of age. It includes a diverse array of job roles and occupational areas employed in children's settings, including early years and children social care.
During this course, you will spend two days a week in a work placement allowing you to put your new knowledge and skills into practice and develop a deeper understanding of what it's like working in the industry. Therefore, if you are interested in this course, you will need to have a mature and responsible outlook to manage your workload with a high degree of independence and be able to demonstrate a responsible and conscientious approach to supporting young children in work placement settings.
This course is a great stepping stone to further education on a level 3 course or entering the workplace.
What you'll learn
- Maintain and Support Relationships With Children and Young People
- Introduction to Communication in Health, Social Care or Children's and Young People's Settings
- Child and Young Person Development
- Contribute to the Support of Positive Environments for Children and Young People
Work experience placements
You will need to complete a practical work placement to show competence in your knowledge and skills consisting of 250 hours over the year. The placement will support learners to complete the skills part of the qualification in working with young children to meet the assessment criteria.
Assessment
The course has a mixture of assessment options ranging from assignments, tasks, portfolio of evidence, simulations and observations in setting.
Further study
T Level in Education and Childcare Level 3
T Level in Education and Assistant Teaching Level 3
Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)
Example careers
Assistant in children's centre, day nurseries, nursery schools and nursery classes
Assistant playgroup worker
Care worker
Nursery nurse
Registered childminder
Registered nanny
Youth and community worker
Days & times
Starting September 2025