Early Years and Teaching Assistants
Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner (Work-based) (Adult Course)
This course is suitable for students aged 19 and over.
As a practitioner employed within the Early Years Workforce, this level 4 qualification aims to provide you with professional development opportunities. It will embrace the wealth of experience that you have already gained within the Level 3 Early Years Workforce, and challenge you in both your daily practice and theoretical understanding.
When will I start the course and how long will it take?
This course has flexible start dates throughout the year and will take one year to complete.
The course is mainly assessed in the workplace and you will be assigned a tutor/assessor at the beginning of the course, who will work with you throughout the programme.
There is no full class room activity, the candidate will arrange to meet the assessor in College or at their place of work.
What will I study?
The content covers the age range from 0-5 years and includes the following areas:
- Enabling children to learn
- Promoting health and wellbeing
- Working with others to support children with additional needs
- Working with families and other professionals
- Implementing change in an early years setting
You will develop and use skills of leadership, mentoring, coaching and reflection as you complete the qualification through work-based learning opportunities.
How is it assessed?
You will produce a portfolio of evidence arranged to reflect application of theoretical knowledge in practice with clear expectations of engagement with statutory frameworks.
Other assessment methods include projects, observations, assignments and displays.
Do I need any previous qualifications to start this course?
This is a work-based qualification. You must be employed in an early years setting at level 3 to complete this qualification.
What are the course fees?
The total cost of this course is £811.
If you are aged 19 or over, you could also choose to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your course fees enabling you to study now, pay later. Loan eligibility isn't dependent on income or employment status and there is no credit check. Loan repayments don't start until you have finished your course and earn over £25,000 per year. For more information, please visit our dedicated Advanced Learner Loan page.
There are also a number of payment options including an interest-free payment plan with a monthly direct debit payment.
If your employer is willing to fund your course, we can help you to arrange this.
What can I go on to do once I have completed this course?
This course offers you the opportunity to progress on to the level 5 qualification such as the Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services.
You will also be equipped to progress on to study at a higher level, for example the FdA Early Years Practice at University Centre St Helens.
Although the qualification will not be eligible for UCAS points, it could provide evidence for a personal statement to enable students to potentially enter higher education.
Are you
ready to apply?
Simply fill in our online form here.
However, if you still have questions in relation to this course and wish to receive further information, please submit your enquiry here.
Please note, we have taken our utmost care to describe and show course information as accurately as possible. St Helens College reserves the right to amend, remove and add courses in the future. This information cannot be considered contractual and advertised course fees are subject to change.
Ref: Course EnquiriesLevel 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Work-based) (Adult Course)
This course is suitable for students aged 19 and over.
This qualification is suitable for those who want to work in a range of early years settings and services with children from birth to 5 years and their families.
You will develop your knowledge, experience and practical skills to be able to meet the individual needs of a child in a supporting role.
You should be in paid employment or have a placement in an appropriate setting arranged before the start of the course, for a minimum of 6 hours per week, for the full two year duration of the course.
When will I start the course and how long will it take?
This course has flexible start dates throughout the year and takes two years to complete.
The course is mainly assessed in the workplace and you will be assigned a tutor/assessor at the beginning of the course, who will work with you throughout the programme.
There is no full classroom activity, and you will arrange to meet the assessor in College or at your place of work.
What will I study?
You will study the following units:
Theme 1: Health and well-being
- Unit 1.1: Support healthy lifestyles for children through the provision of food and nutrition
- Unit 1.2 WB: Support healthy lifestyles for children through exercise
- Unit 1.3 WB: Support physical care routines for children
- Unit 1.4 WB: Promote children's emotional well-being
- Unit 1.5: Understand how to support children who are unwell
Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
- Unit 2.2: Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children
- Unit 2.3 WB: Use legislation relating to the health and safety of children
- Unit 2.4 WB: Follow legislation relating to equality, diversity and inclusive practice
- Unit 2.5 WB: Working in partnership
Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness
- Unit 3.1: Understand the value of play in early years
- Unit 3.2 WB: Plan, lead and review play opportunities which support children's learning and development
- Unit 3.4 WB: Promote enabling play environments
- Unit 3.5 WB: Developing children's emergent literacy skills
- Unit 3.6 WB: Developing children's emergent mathematical skills
- Unit 3.7 WB: Support children's transition to school
- Unit 3.9 WB: Develop children's cognitive skills
- Unit 3.10 WB: Promote children's speech, language and communication
- Unit 3.11 WB: Promoting children's physical development
- Unit 3.12 WB: Promoting children's personal, social and emotional development
- Unit 3.13: Support children with additional needs
- Unit 3.14: Use observation, assessment and planning to promote the development of children
- Unit 3.15: Use longitudinal studies to observe, assess and plan for children's needs
How is it assessed?
The course is assessed by a mixture of assessment tasks, research projects and performance on work placement.
Do I need any previous qualifications to start this course?
You should have GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above, relevant Functional Skills may also be accepted, or a willingness to work towards these qualifications.
You must have a minimum of one day per week in a placement or employment, preferably two days per week, over the course of two years.
You will need to pass a Disclosure and Baring Service Check and have an appropriate assessment outcome from induction.
What are the course fees?
The total cost of this course is £2,882. You may be eligible for funding depending on your personal circumstances and subject to a fee assessment during the enrolment process. For further details, please visit our financial support pages.
If you are aged 19 or over, you could also choose to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your course fees enabling you to study now, pay later. Loan eligibility isn't dependent on income or employment status and there is no credit check. Loan repayments don't start until you have finished your course and earn over £25,000 per year. For more information, please visit our dedicated Advanced Learner Loan page.
What can I go on to do once I have completed this course?
On successful completion of the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (EYE), you will have the opportunity to progress directly on to the FdA Early Years Practice at University Centre St Helens.
Are you
ready to apply?
Simply fill in our online form here.
However, if you still have questions in relation to this course and wish to receive further information, please submit your enquiry here.
Please note, we have taken our utmost care to describe and show course information as accurately as possible. St Helens College reserves the right to amend, remove and add courses in the future. This information cannot be considered contractual and advertised course fees are subject to change.
Ref: Tammy HallidayLevel 1 Diploma in Caring for Children
This course is a great introduction to the industry, especially if you haven't had the opportunity to study this at school.
You will explore everything from the development of young children, safeguarding and healthy living, to supporting babies to play and learning how to implement craft, science and technology activities.
When will I start the course and how long will it take?
The course will start in September and will take one year to complete.
This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.
What will I study?
During this course, you will cover the following the units:
- Growth and development of young children
- Preparing for your next steps
- Supporting babies to play
- Science activities for young children
- Technology activities for young children
- Finding out about forest schools
- Craft activities for young children
- Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
- Healthy living
- Healthy eating for families
How is it assessed?
You will be assessed by practical assignments including leaflets, booklets, posters and Q&A.
Do I need any previous qualifications to start this course?
You should have two GCSEs at grade 2 or above, including English language or maths.
Achieving a good standard of English and maths is a key requirement for many jobs, as well as for courses you may wish to progress on to. If you achieve below a grade 4 in your English and/or maths GCSEs at school, you will study it alongside your chosen course when you join us.
You will also need a clear DBS to gain entry to this course. More information will be provided upon receipt of your application.*
*A DBS costs £44 and can be claimed back once you have successfully completed this course.
What are the course fees?
If you are a school leaver, aged 16-18, (under the age of 19 on or before 31st August 2024), you do not pay tuition fees or examination and registration fees and may be eligible for additional support depending on your financial situation. For more information, please visit our dedicated financial support page.
What can I go on to do once I have completed this course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you will be one step closer to a fantastic career in the industry.
You will have the opportunity to progress on to the level 2 Diploma in Early Years Practitioner to enhance your skills and knowledge. Alternatively, you may choose to
Are you
ready to apply?
Simply fill in our online form here.
However, if you still have questions in relation to this course and wish to receive further information, please submit your enquiry here.
Level 2 Diploma in Early Years Practitioner
During this course, you will gain valuable practical experience in a childcare setting while developing your understanding of the physical development of children and the value of recreational activities.
You will learn the importance of promoting positive behaviour in early years settings, safeguarding and protection and welfare.
When will I start the course and how long will it take?
The course will start in September and will take one year to complete.
This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.
What will I study?
During this course, you will cover the following:
- Context, principles and values for children and young people
- Roles and responsibilities of the early years practitioner
- Safeguarding, protection and welfare of babies and young children in early years settings
- Food and nutrition for children and young people
- Value of play and recreational activity to children and young people
- Promoting positive behaviour in early years settings
- Activities for children and young people
- Physical development of children and young people
- Preparing for work placement
- Learning from a work placement
- Skills for team workers
In addition to the above, your tutor will support you to find and secure a work placement within a childcare environment. You will attend College three days a week and your placement, two days a week.
How is it assessed?
You will be assessed through a combination of assignments, case studies and presentations of work, along with log book entries from placement experience.
Do I need any previous qualifications to start this course?
You should have three GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English language or maths, plus one GCSE at grade 4 in English language or maths.
Achieving a good standard of English and maths is a key requirement for many jobs, as well as for courses you may wish to progress on to. If you achieve below a grade 4 in your English and/or maths GCSEs at school, you will study it alongside your chosen course when you join us.
You will also need a clear DBS to gain entry to this course. More information will be provided upon receipt of your application.*
*A DBS costs £44 and can be claimed back once you have successfully completed this course.
What are the course fees?
If you are a school leaver, aged 16-18, (under the age of 19 on or before 31st August 2024), you do not pay tuition fees or examination and registration fees and may be eligible for additional support depending on your financial situation. For more information, please visit our dedicated financial support page.
What can I go on to do once I have completed this course?
You could progress directly into employment or on to the level 3 Technical Certificate/Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator).
Are you
ready to apply?
Simply fill in our online form here.
However, if you still have questions in relation to this course and wish to receive further information, please submit your enquiry here.
Inspiring Success
"I've loved my time on the course, and it has prepared me to work towards my dream of becoming a Primary School Teacher."
Antony, Level 3 Technical Diploma in Childcare and Education
