top of page

Vocational

Childcare

Apply Now

About this course

If you’re interested in working with children, or thinking about a future career in areas like teaching, nursing, social work or psychology, this course is a great choice. It’s equivalent to one A Level and can be taken alongside other A Levels as part of your study programme.

Early years activity in progress, with a Childcare student supporting play-based learning at John Leggott College, Scunthorpe

What will you learn?

You’ll explore key areas in Early Years development and education, through four main topics:

  • Children’s Development
    Learn how children grow and develop from birth to eight years old, including how different factors and experiences can affect their development.

  • Keeping Children Safe
    Understand how to keep children safe in Early Years settings, including safeguarding responsibilities, health and safety, and what to do in emergencies.

  • Play and Learning
    Discover the importance of play for children’s learning and development, and how different theories and approaches influence how children play.

Research and Reflective Practice
Learn how research shapes Early Years education and how professionals use reflective practice to improve the care and support they provide.

Who is this course aimed at?

By the end of the course, you’ll have built skills and knowledge in:

  • How children develop and learn through play

  • Safeguarding and health and safety in childcare settings

  • Supporting children’s literacy and numeracy through play and activities

  • Reflecting on your own work and using research to improve practice

  • Professional and interpersonal skills during a work placement

  • Critical thinking and research skills to help with future university study

  • You’ll need 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths and English Language.

  • 50% exam, 50% coursework (internally assessed assignments)

  • By the end of the course, you’ll have built skills and knowledge in:

    • How children develop and learn through play

    • Safeguarding and health and safety in childcare settings

    • Supporting children’s literacy and numeracy through play and activities

    • Reflecting on your own work and using research to improve practice

    • Professional and interpersonal skills during a work placement

    • Critical thinking and research skills to help with future university study

Progression routes

This course prepares you for further study at university in areas such as:

  • Nursing (Adult or Child Nursing) – BSc (Hons)

  • Childhood and Early Years Studies – BA (Hons)

  • Teacher Training

  • Social Work – BA (Hons)

Psychology – BSc (Hons)

Related Courses

Looking for something that works well with this course? Here are some related courses to consider.

English Language A-Level student annotating a text together with the course tutor at John Leggott College, Scunthorpe

English Language

A case study under discussion during a Psychology A-Level seminar at John Leggott College, Scunthorpe

Psychology

A group discussion on social issues during a Sociology A-Level lesson at John Leggott College, Scunthorpe

Sociology

bottom of page