Entry Year
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Overview
Discover Your Passion in Early Years and Childcare!
Duration: One Year Full Time
Are you excited about the world of babies and young children? Do you dream of making a positive impact on their early years while building a fulfilling career? Look no further! Our one-year FAST TRACK course is designed just for you!
Course Overview: This dynamic qualification caters to individuals keen on working with children aged 0-5 years, offering a gateway to diverse roles such as Early Years Assistant, Nursery Nurse, Childminder, and more. Perfect for those deciding between A-levels and a vocational pathway, this course provides a solid foundation for a future in the Early Years and Childcare Sector.
Roles You Can Pursue:
- Early Years Assistant
- Childminder
- Nursery Nurse
- Sure Start Assistant
- Family Support Worker
- Playgroup Assistant
What Will You Learn? Explore the enchanting world of child development (0-12 years) and hone practical and technical skills essential for success in the Early Years and Childcare Sector. From understanding the intricacies of child development to mastering health and safety, play, and early learning, this course equips you for a rewarding career.
Course Highlights:
Practical Skills: Spend a minimum of 350 hours in a childcare setting, immersing yourself in hands-on learning.
Assessment: Your practical skills will be evaluated both in class and within an early years setting by our visiting assessors and Expert Witnesses.
Career Progression: Open doors to various opportunities and set the stage for further education with a pathway to City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Children’s, Care, Learning and Development (Northern Ireland).
Transversal Skills for Lifelong Success: We believe in empowering our learners. In addition to the course curriculum, we provide dedicated support to achieve Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy, along with Transversal Skills—essential for employment across diverse sectors.
Parent-Friendly Assurance: Rest easy, parents! Our course is designed with your child's future in mind. We focus on a balanced approach, nurturing not just academic prowess but also practical skills, ensuring they're well-prepared for the professional world.
Embark on Your Journey! Uncover the magic of early childhood and set the foundation for a fulfilling career. Join our vibrant community, where learning is exciting, hands-on, and geared towards making a difference in the lives of young ones.
Apply Now and Ignite Your Passion for Early Years and Childcare!
Download the Pre-Entry Advice presentation. Play Slideshow in the presentation to activate any links or videos
Please also click the links below to watch our Childhood Studies videos, these include comments from learners.
- Requirements are pre-defined by the College’s admissions criteria, which can be found by visiting our entry criteria page here to find out the standard entry criteria.
- Proof of qualifications MUST be provided when you enrol, e.g. exam certificates.
- Achieved and pending qualifications can be recorded now by logging into your online application account.
- All courses within Belfast Met are delivered and assessed in English, apart from language-specific courses. Your competence in English must be verified prior to enrolling on your chosen course.
- Enrolment on this course will be conditional upon satisfactory and timely completion of an ACCESS NI Criminal Records check and Social Services check
- The AccessNI check will be carried out in accordance with the AccessNI Code of Practice which can be found here. A copy of this can be made available upon request
Enhanced Criteria
- Students should also have, 4 GCSE’s A-G with minimum D in Mathematics and D in English. However, if we have many applicants, we may enhance the criteria in Mathematics and English.
- Learners with D in English and/or Maths will be required to complete diagnostic assessment prior to enrolment and be assessed as eligible for a fast track essential skills course
Please note:
Belfast Met actively promotes equality of opportunity and welcomes enrolments from a wide range of applicants and students, including those with criminal convictions. However, in order for the College to manage any risk that you may pose, you must tell us about any unspent criminal convictions you may have. For certain courses, you must disclose all criminal convictions.
To tell us about your convictions, please complete either a Criminal Offence(s) Disclosure Form or an Enhanced Criminal Offence(s) Disclosure Form
Both forms are available on the Student Criminal Disclosures page of our website Student Criminal Disclosures (belfastmet.ac.uk)
You will be assisted in building a portfolio of evidence and your practical skills will be assessed both in class and in an early years setting by a visiting assessor and/or Expert Witness.
Careers
On successful completion of the Traineeship learners will have achieved:
- Level 2 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
- Essential Skills Level 2 Literacy
- Essential Skills Level 2 Numeracy
- Level 2 Certificate in Transversal Skills
Successful students, if deemed suitable, can progress to further study at Level 3 or seek employment in a Level 2 position in the Early Years, Childcare and Education sectors.
Employment in the sector may lead to a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Children’s Care, Learning and Development or similar.
Options for further Level 3 study within Early Years, Childcare and Education include:
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
Level 3 Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
Successful completion of Level 3 qualifications can lead to progression onto higher educations courses including university.
Interests
- Caring
- Learning
- Early Years
- Play
- Volunteering
- Children
- Teaching
- Childcare
- Child Development
Contact us
School Administrator Tel: 028 9026 5442 or email: hcslinfo@belfastmet.ac.uk
Course Coordinator: LCinnamond@belfastmet.ac.uk
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