First Award in Children's Play, Learning & Development

If you are planning to work with children in a variety of different early years sectors, for example day care, nursery, out of school care and schools this is the course for you. This qualification will enable you to work supervised, with children and their families in a variety of settings. You will study all aspects of caring for children and reflect on your personal development. You will be given the opportunity to work with children in a range of placements in schools or a nursery. You will continue to improve your maths and/or English skills in structured lessons alongside your course.

This Level 2 qualification provides you with ‘assistant practitioner status’ once a pass grade has been achieved. This allows you to undertake supervised work within an early year’s environment (0-8 years). This qualification is designed to provide a specialist work-related qualification in a range of sectors. It will give you the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to prepare you for employment.

You will need 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above. However, if you have a keen interest in the subject and commitment to succeed, your entry requirements will be discussed at interview. You need to have a positive school or college reference with good levels of attendance and punctuality. Experience of working with children e.g. babysitting or nursery experience would be very useful.

A variety of methods are used to assess your progress including examination, individual and group presentations, case studies, assignments, projects, work based assignments, developing learning resources, and display work. BTEC, the awarding body, will award you a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade for each module according to how well you cover the learning outcomes specified. You are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours’ work placement . Practical training placements may include day nurseries, children's centres, reception class, infant class, nursery class, special school, and child-minders. You must receive a satisfactory end of placement report; have good attendance at 90% or above to progress to the Level 3 Children’s Play Learning and Development course as well as gaining an overall Merit grade or above.

If you wish to find out more you can contact Caroline Badland-Jackson, Curriculum Leader in Early Years, by emailing: caroline.badland-jackson@nscg.ac.uk

If you are successful on this course, achieving a Merit grade or above and GCSE English Language grade 4 or above, you may be able to continue studying the Level 3 in Children's Play Learning and Development on a full time Diploma (subject to the entry criteria).

This course is free for anyone aged 16 – 18. If you are outside this age group, please contact Charlotte Robertson on 01782 254141 or email charlotte.robertson@nscg.ac.uk.

College Maintenance Allowance (CMA): Anyone with a household income under £26,000 can receive up to £20 per week financial support to help pay for travel and meals and meet the costs of essential trips, books, stationery and equipment. The payments will be subject to full attendance on your course. A range of other financial support is available, depending on your personal circumstances. For more details visit nscg.ac.uk/finance