Adult Skills and Community Learning

Course content

This course will help you gain a basic knowledge of childcare in early years settings. It includes topics such as:

  • the value of play
  • roles and responsibilities of carers and volunteers
  • importance of links with the local community

The course covers working with children from birth up to 5 years of age.

The course gives an understanding of the regulations and best practice in the management of early years settings. It also covers the value of play in the development of babies and young children. The roles of carers and volunteers, and building links in the local community that could aid a child's learning, are also covered.

This course is a great introduction to working with young children. It's ideal if you want to know more about early years settings and caring for children. By the end of the course you'll gain the Level 1 Award in an introduction to early years settings. You'll also have the knowledge and skills to progress to a higher level course to help move into a role in the early years sector.

This course will enable you to

  • Understand the importance of play to a child’s development.
  • Explore play types for babies and young children from birth to 5 years 11 months old.
  • Know the role of the adult in providing play.
  • Know what's involved to be able to manage an early years setting.
  • Know about how regulations and legislation affect early years settings.
  • Understand how early years settings help children to feel secure.
  • Know about the management structure of an early years setting.
  • Explore the role of the team in an early years setting.
  • Know how to improve own practice in the early years setting.

You'll also develop the following skills for work

  • Working as part of a team, sharing ideas, working together, and problem solving.
  • Communication and language skills.
  • Build your confidence to work at this level.
  • Planning and self management.
  • Resilience and motivation to achieve your goals.
  • Develop your literacy, numeracy and digital skills.

Course delivery 

  • 10 classroom sessions of three hours per session, delivered face to face.
  • You'll have access to a laptop to complete the research tasks.
  • Independent and group activities during the course.
  • Completion of some work will be needed between sessions.
  • Tutor support via Teams for Education.

Expectations and support

  • You'll create a portfolio over the course to show the knowledge and skills you gain.
  • In class support will be achieved through activities, discussions and tutor feedback.
  • You'll receive class materials via Teams for Education and a text book to support your learning.
  • Assignment briefs will be used to give more guidance.
  • General group discussions will take place.

What you need

  • Paper or notebook and a pen.
  • Time and commitment to complete tasks set outside of class and attend placements.
  • Your attendance in class must be a minimum of 85% overall. Ideally this should be 100%.

Entry requirements

You need to have already completed the following with us:

  • Information, advice and guidance session and an initial assessment on the BKSB software.
  • Knowledge of English and maths, and be willing to work towards level 1 (if not already achieved).
  • Basic ICT skills and some use of Word, email, search engines etc (desirable).

Course fees

The cost of the course is £144. This can be paid monthly via Direct Debit over the length of your course.

You may be entitled to fee remission/fee reduction depending on your circumstances. Contact us for more details.

How to apply

Progression

  • Level 2 early years course
  • Level 2 supporting teaching and learning course

What our learners say

  • My teacher was very fun to learn with, every week was very interesting I'd have gained lots of new skills
    Adult Learner
  • At first I was unsure what role I wanted to do, but the course has helped me to make a decision to go onto do the Early Years Level 2 course.
    Adult Learner