Course overview

The Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (England) is an occupational qualification for candidates who work in Early Years Settings in England. This qualification meets the needs of candidates who work or want to work in a wide range of early years settings covering the age range 0-5 years for example in the roles of:

• Early years assistant

• Preschool assistant

• Playgroup assistant

• After school assistant

• Childminder assistant

• Childminder

This course is the first step towards a foundation in Children and Young People’s Workforce (CYPW) sector. This can lead to employment, further education or Early Years Educator (EYE) Level 3.

This qualification has been designed to:

• provide a broad understanding of the early years sector and an introduction to the practical skills and knowledge required

• provide an awareness of the range of jobs and work settings in the early years sector

• enable candidates to make an informed assessment of their own aptitude for work in this sector and to make informed decisions about careers

• encourage candidates to reach a level of knowledge and skills that will facilitate progress into further vocational learning or to potential employment in the sector

• introduce candidates to the discipline of the working environment and to encourage mature attitudes to the community in general

• encourage candidates to value continued learning and remain in the learning process

• allow candidates to learn, develop and practise selected skills required for progression in the sector

• provide opportunities for progression to Level 3 qualifications and other related qualifications in the sector.

You will work towards the Early Years Practitioner (EYP) Qualification (Level 2), with future progression onto Early Years Educator Level 3 and gain professional industry experience. This course is not the Apprenticeship Standard, this is a Diploma only course.

You will be taught by an expert industry qualified and highly experienced, local tutor, with any additional support to suit your personal learning style and learning needs. If not currently working in the industry, you will need a minimum of 1 day per week in an Early Years Childcare setting to complete the evidence requirements of this course.

This course covers a range of theoretical and applied knowledge. You will develop knowledge relevant to meet the Early Years Practitioner Level 2 diploma requirements. This course will also include practical observations.

The course will be taught via blended learning, with classroom delivery.

All students will complete initial assessments prior to enrolment to ascertain role and programme suitability, and to build an Individual Learning Plan to meet skills gaps, knowledge, skills behaviour development and qualification specification.

This is a popular course, where you will meet groups of like-minded people. There will be classroom project work and additional team working opportunities. You will be encouraged to share good industry practice and experiences.

Course assessment

Your dedicated personal tutor will guide and mentor you through your learning programme.

Your tutor will support you through assessing your work and provide you with constructive feedback regularly, to help you produce the standard of evidence required for this qualification.

Learners must complete a total of 9 mandatory units to successful complete this qualification.

During your course you will complete coursework to the correct standard to evidence and achieve this Diploma. Additional activities in this course include assignments, observations, review, witness records, reflective accounts to evidence your ability.

SS&L use a system of dedicated Tutor / Assessor feedback to assist learners in providing the correct level of evidence in this qualification. Tutor feedback and assessment decisions are sampled throughout a learning programme at formative milestones and at a summative point prior to certification claim.

Course progression

Once you have achieved this course you can access the wide variety of SS&L courses.

On achievement of this qualification, learners will gain access to further learning via the SS&L Early Years curriculum offer including the Early Years Educator (EYE) Diploma and / or Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard.