Working with children is a demanding, yet inherently rewarding job. This course will set you on the path to working with children aged 0-5, some of the most important developmental years of their life. This course is for you if:

• You want the flexibility to study around your other commitments.
• You want to find out what it’s like to work in an early years setting.
• You want to volunteer at a pre-school.
• You are planning a career change.

Future opportunities

• Progress to level 2 and level 3 early years courses online.
• Work in a pre-school with children aged 0-5.
• Volunteer in a pre-school.

Unit 1: The value of play for babies and young children (Mandatory unit)

• The importance of play to a child’s development
• Different play types suitable for babies and young children from birth to 5 years 11 months
• The role of the adult in providing play

Unit 2: Management and organisation in an early years setting (Mandatory unit)

• What is involved in the management of an early years setting
• How regulations and legislation affect early years settings
• How early years settings help children to feel secure

Unit 3: Introduction to community development in early years settings (Option 1)

• How to develop links with the local community that could enhance children’s learning and development
• The role of volunteers from the community
• The procedure for involving volunteers in the early years setting

Unit 4: Roles and responsibilities in an early years setting (Option 2)

• What is involved in the management structure of an early years setting
• The role of the team in an early years setting
• How to improve your own practice in the early years setting

Study the Level 1 Award in an Introduction to Early Years Settings with us and benefit from:

• Flexible learning
• Support from a personal tutor by email, phone or Skype
• Any time enrolment
• Assignments with tutor feedback
• Ongoing support from Student Support
• Forums to discuss your course with other students

NEC Laser

Choose when and where you access your course, using NEC Laser our 24/7 online learning platform.

This easy-to-use learning platform makes completing your course – submitting your work, doing activities and getting feedback – straightforward and enjoyable. All the work you complete is recorded in your learner profile, forming an online portfolio.

You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners. 

Meet Felicity who is just one of our first-class childcare and early years tutors:

“I qualified as a primary school teacher many years ago. When my own children were young, I registered as a childminder, combining this with running play schemes and teaching childcare practitioners. I still believe working with children is the best and one of the most important jobs there is. A child’s early experiences have an impact on the whole of their life and it is up to us to make sure these experiences are positive. Just as every child is different, so is every NEC student and I try to meet all your individual needs. I want you to succeed by gaining the qualification you are aiming for and by becoming a more reflective practitioner.”

Accreditation

• This course is accredited by the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE)

Format

• Online learning with support from a personal tutor

Entry requirements

• A good command of basic English
• At least 16 years of age
• A general interest in young children (you may be a volunteer in an early years setting, or part of a committee running an early years sector, or considering making a career move into the early years sector, or may wish to work in a school reception class)
• Registration with CACHE – we will take care of this process, but you will need to pay an additional registration fee, which is not included in the price of your course, when you enrol

Hours

• Complete at your own pace across 6 months
• Approx. 60 study hours, plus time for completing assignments

Assessment

You need to gain six credits to achieve the qualification 

• five credits by completing two mandatory units
• one credit by completing one unit out of a choice of two options

You will create an online portfolio of evidence using written tasks

• each unit consists of 5-10 tasks of varying length and complexity

Resources

• No additional set texts required

Requirements

• Internet access
• Computer operating system, browser and software to enable you to complete the course using the NEC Laser online learning platform 

Our course fees are open and honest to help you plan for any additional costs.

Your course fee includes:

• Access to the NEC Laser online learning platform
• All the course materials you need to complete the course
• Support from a personal tutor for up to six  months from your date of enrolment
• Assignment marking
• NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
• Time planner to help you plan your study timetable

Your course fee does not cover:

• CACHE registration fee – NEC will register you with CACHE but the £52 registration fee is not included in your course fee and will need to be an additional payment at the time of enrolment.

Optional extras:

• Additional six months support from your personal tutor (extension fee applies)

You need to gain six credits to achieve the qualification 

• five credits by completing two mandatory units
• one credit by completing one unit out of a choice of two options

You will create an online portfolio of evidence using written tasks

• each unit consists of 5-10 tasks of varying length and complexity