Level 3 Early Years Educator Skills Bootcamp

Within this course, learners will complete four units.

The four units are:

• Understanding child development

Within this module, learners will get an introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, understand a range of underpinning theories and philosophical approaches to how children learn and analyse and explain how children's learning can be affected by their stage of development and their individual circumstances. Upon completion of this module, learners will also understand the expected patterns of childhood development (from birth to five years old and from five to seven years old) and be able to analyse the role of an early year's practitioner in supporting development of children from birth to seven years old.

• Understand the importance of health and wellbeing in an early year setting

Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to identify and understand the key legislation and guidance relating to health, safety and security within childcare settings and explain the responsibilities of an employer and a practitioner within an early years setting. Learners will also understand why health and wellbeing is important for children and understand common childhood illnesses.

• Understanding how to safeguard and child protection

Within this module, learners will explain the main types of abuse and the signs, symptoms and indicators that a child may be abused and explain factors that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse. Learners will also understand the actions taken within an early years setting if a staff member suspects abuse and be able to identify the key roles and responsibilities of the different organisations in relation to safeguarding (including the Counter-terrorism and security act and it's relation to the Prevent strategy CONTEST.)

• Understand the importance of Equality, diversity and inclusion

Within this module, learners will identify and outline legislation relating to the rights of children and explain what is meant by diversity, equality and inclusion. Learners will also outline underpinning British values and how each value is related to the child's rights as well as describing cultural practices that may be harmful or illegal. Upon completion of this module, learners will also be able to explain how stereotyping, labelling and discrimination can impact on the life chances and opportunities of children.

Skills Bootcamps are for:

• Adults aged 19 or over as of the 31st August 2024
• Adults who are employed and looking to move into a new sector and start an entry-level role
• Learners who are recently unemployed (for less than 12 months) or returning to work after a break and are looking to get started with an entry-level job in a new sector
• Learners who are looking to build upon a Skills Bootcamp by moving onto an accelerated early years apprenticeship
Applicants who have lived in England for at least the last 3 consecutive years, and have the right to work in the United Kingdom (there are exceptions for Ukraine or Afghanistan nationals)
• Learners who are not currently undertaking any formal education, including another Skills Bootcamp
• Learners who have not studied a Skills Bootcamp in the current funding year
• Learners who have a reliable internet connection, a laptop or computer with a camera and microphone and access to Microsoft Office
• Adults who are able to commit to and attend 100% of live sessions as per the course requirements they are choosing to enrol on

Please note, although our Skills Bootcamps are completed entirely online, due to the way Skills Bootcamps are funded, you can only complete a course that is available in the area that you currently reside in.

Please note:

• All Early Years Educator apprenticeship learners are subject to a mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) paid for by The Skills Network. When you enrol, The Skills Network team will be in touch to arrange this.
• Failure to complete an enhanced DBS check could affect your ability to take up a position in an early years setting.

Skills Bootcamps are fully funded (that means free) for…

• Unemployed people (for less than 12 months)
• Employed people looking for a career change*
• Self-employed people who are looking to grow their business
• Employers recruiting an individual who has completed a Skills Bootcamp

*Large employers looking to upskill their current staff will contribute 30% of the cost for their staff members' upskilling. *Small or medium employers (SMEs) will contribute 10% for their staff members upskilling.

You must complete 5 hours of mandatory live learning each week.

In addition, you must complete 1 hour of pre-learning and up to 7.5 hours dedicated to assessment, employment preparation and career journaling every week.

Once you are verified as being eligible for the Skills Bootcamp, you can choose from the below range of days and times to attend your live learning sessions:

Daytime & Weekend sessions:

Tuesday OR Saturday 9am – 2pm

Please note: You cannot swap between weekdays and weekends.

Evening sessions (you must attend all 3 evening sessions):

Tuesday & Wednesday 7pm – 9pm

Thursday 7pm – 8pm

*Please note your chosen day and time will occur every week for the full 12-week programme

You cannot swap between the various daytime or evening sessions listed.

Because our Skills Bootcamps are of Level 3 standard in England, you will be expected to have some existing knowledge and skills within the subject area of Early Years.

Learners must have achieved a Level 1 (GCSE grade D/GCSE grade 3) qualification.

Applicants with a Level 1 English and Maths qualification must be willing to complete a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification as part of the Early Years Educator apprenticeship.

Learners will be asked to send certificates to evidence their level of achievement in English and maths prior to enrolment.

You must also have a familiarity with using software from the Microsoft Office suite.

For more information and details on the steps to completing your course read our Frequently Asked Questions.