Overview
Discover Your Future in Early Years and Childcare!
Duration: Two Years, Full Time
Year One: City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Children's Care Learning and Development (Northern Ireland)
Year Two: NCFE CACHE Extended Diploma for Children's Care, Learning and Development (Northern Ireland)
About the Course: Welcome to our exciting 2-year Early Years and Childcare course! Perfect for high-achieving 16-year-olds deciding between A-levels and a vocational pathway. This unique program is not just for the young; mature learners are welcome too! Thrive on a vocational journey into Higher Education while gaining a license to practice in Early Years and Childcare.
Academic Journey: In Year 1, dive into topics like special educational needs, safeguarding, child development, and play. Become a knowledgeable, employable practitioner through child observations, case studies, and assignments. Our supportive staff will guide you every step of the way.
Practical Experience: Year 1 sets the foundation with a minimum of 600 placement hours (at least 19 hours per week) in early years settings. A visiting assessor will evaluate your practical competency, ensuring you're fully equipped for the field.
Year 2 - Building for the Future: Continue building UCAS points in Year 2 through the Extended Diploma, enhancing your knowledge and skills. This qualification is your stepping stone into Higher Education.
UCAS Points Breakdown:
- D: 72
- C: 96
- B: 120
- A: 144
- A*: 168
Who Is It For? Perfect for those aspiring to work at an unsupervised level in Early Years, childcare in Northern Ireland. Also, an ideal pathway for those aiming for Higher Education.
Do You Need to Work? Absolutely! All learners must have access to real work experience—750 hours across 2 years—ensuring consistent competence at level 3. This real-world exposure prepares you for success in your future career.
Ready to embark on a fulfilling journey? Join us on the path to becoming a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner in Early Years and Childcare! Apply now and secure your place in this unique, rewarding course.
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Enhance Criteria
- 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above including Maths and English
Requirements are pre-defined by the College’s admissions criteria, which can be found here
- 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
Non-academic course entry requirements
Important: All applicants must also meet the following conditions:
- be 16 years old by 1 July 2026.
- provide proof of:
- Right to Study in the UK. For courses with work placement, proof of your right to work in the UK is also required.
- Photographic proof of identity
- Provide translated copies of and/or demonstrate equivalency of non-UK qualifications.
Further information on non-academic course entry requirements can be found at https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/full-time/further-education/entry-criteria-further-education
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)
Practical competencies will be assessed in placement by a visiting assessor on at least two occasions per year in your placement/employment setting.
Theoretical knowledge will be internally assessed by assignments, case studies and child observations throughout the year. Year 2 Extended Diploma includes one externally set and assessed assessments.
Careers
The Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development is an equivalent to 3 GCE A Levels
Successful students are qualified to seek employment in the following roles
• day care room supervisor
• childcare assistant
• child minder
• nursery practitioner
• pre-school worker
• out of school childcare worker
UCAS points can be gained through the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. Previous students have used this qualification to continue to Higher Education qualifications such as
- Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies
- BA Early Years,
- BEd
- Children’s Nursing
- Social Work
Interests
- Caring
- Learning
- Early Years
- Play
- Volunteering
- Children
- Teaching
- Childcare
- Child Development
- Special Needs
- Supervisor/manager
Contact us
School Administrator, Tel: 028 9026 5448 or email: hcslinfo@belfastmet.ac.uk
Year 1 Course Coordinator CBooth@belfastmet.ac.uk
Year 2 Course Coordinator JStuart@belfastmet.ac.uk
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