Skip to main content

Level 3 Early Years Educator Skills Bootcamp

Course Overview

Kickstart your career in Early Years today - with 4 or 6 week course options available!

Applicants must reside in the Greater London area. This Skills Bootcamp is not suitable for self-employed learners.

This government-funded Early Years training course provides a solid foundation for a fulfilling career in childhood education. Upon completion, you’ll be perfectly positioned to either progress onto an accelerated apprenticeship with one of our dedicated Early Years apprenticeship partners, or work in an unqualified position within a local nursery, preschool, or reception class setting.

The lessons are online (with some Greater London courses offering 5 hours face-to-face) and are within school pick-up friendly hours 9.15 AM - 2.45 PM. You’ll gain insights into the Early Years Educator Standard and build your knowledge about child development, theory and legislation within this exciting sector. This will allow you to progress onto a Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, that you will be able to complete within 13 months.

Each session builds up your knowledge and gives you time to complete assessments that will enhance your career journey.

Please note:

  • For an Early Years apprenticeship, you’ll need a mandatory DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service Check) which we’ll arrange and pay for.
  • Not completing the DBS Check might affect your ability to work in an Early Years setting.
  • You need at least a Level 1 qualification (GCSE grade D or 3). If you have Level 1 English and Maths, you’ll need to complete a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification during the apprenticeship
  • We’ll ask you for your English and Maths certificates before you enrol

Are you an employer? Click here to find out how Skills Bootcamps can benefit your business today!

Key Information

Course Length
4 to 6 weeks

Course Level
Level 3

Learning Method(s)

  • Group live learning sessions
  • Online materials
  • Online assessment

Benefits

  • Fast-track to an Accelerated Early Years apprenticeship
  • Guaranteed job interview for new role
  • Mock interview support for unqualified positions
  • Enhanced DBS check
  • Online course with group live sessions (some Greater London courses include a 5-hour in-person session at a convenient location)
  • Study from anywhere
  • Award-winning e-learning platform
  • Support from a dedicated Learning Support Adviser and expert tutors
  • Digital e-certificate upon completion of the full course and a successful job offer related to the Early Years Skills Bootcamp
  • No hidden costs

Start your application to secure a place on this free Skills Bootcamp course

Complete pre-enrolment form

This course is broken down into four informative units:

  • Understanding Child Development

    • As an introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, understand how children learn, grow and develop, and the different theories and approaches to their learning, affected by development stages and individual circumstances. Upon completion, you’ll understand the expected patterns of childhood development from birth to 5 years, and from 5 to 7 years, and gain insight into the role of an Early Years practitioner.

  • The Importance of Health and Wellbeing in an Early Years Setting

    • Understand the key health, safety and wellbeing legislation practices within childcare settings, and why health and wellbeing is important for children and learn common childhood illnesses.

  • Safeguarding and Child Protection

    • Learn how to identify and respond to signs of abuse and explain factors that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse. Understand the key roles and responsibility of different organisations in relation to safeguarding (including the Counter Terrorism and Security Act and its relation to the Prevent Strategy, CONTEST).

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

    • Explore the importance of diversity, equality, and inclusion, and understand the rights of children within the framework of relevant legislation. Examine underpinning British values and identify cultural practices that may be harmful or illegal, and gain insight into how stereotyping, labelling, and discrimination can negatively impact the life chances and opportunities of children.

This Skills Bootcamp is for:

  • Adults aged 19 or over as of the 31st August 2024
  • Employed individuals looking to move into a new sector and start an entry-level role; or recently unemployed (less than 12 months); or if you’re wanting to return to work after a break
  • Those aiming to build on a Skills Bootcamp by moving onto an accelerated Early Years apprenticeship
  • Applicants who have lived in England for the last 3 consecutive years, and have the right to work in the United Kingdom (exceptions for Ukraine or Afghanistan nationals)
  • Learners not currently in formal education, including another Skills Bootcamp
  • Learners who are not currently undertaking any formal education, including another Skills Bootcamp
  • Those who haven’t studied a Skills Bootcamp in the current funding year
  • Learners who have a reliable internet connection, a laptop/computer with a camera and microphone and access to Microsoft Office
  • Adults able to commit to and attend 100% of live sessions as per the course requirement

Please note, although our Skills Bootcamps are almost always online, you can only complete a course that is available in the area that you currently reside and places may be limited.

Important:

  • 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.

After completing the course, including attending all the mandatory live learning sessions and achieving all the course assessments, you’ll be ready for a guaranteed job interview (if you’re seeking a new role) for entry-level vacancies and/or can also progress onto an Accelerated Early Years Apprenticeship.

We work with great Early Years employers like:

  • Hungry Caterpillars Day Nurseries
  • The Co-operative Childcare
  • Kindred Nurseries

We can also help and support you to find an unqualified role in a nursery, preschool, or reception class.

Check out the Early Years Educator Apprenticeship with Hawk Training

A fast-track Early Years apprenticeship is a stepping stone to becoming a fully qualified Early Years Educator. Starting salaries range from £12,000 to £16,000 per year, and once qualified, you can earn between £18,000 and £25,000 per year. With further training, you could become a Room Leader or Senior Nursery Worker.

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 wanting t grow their business
  • Employers recruiting someone who has completed a Skills Bootcamp

*Large employers looking to upskill their current staff will contribute 30% of the cost.

*Small or medium employers (SMEs) will contribute 10%.

You must complete 5 hours and 30 minutes of mandatory live learning each session.

Once you’re eligibility for the Skills Bootcamp is confirmed, you can choose from these options for your live learning sessions:

4 week course daytime sessions:

  • Weeks 1 and 2 - 4x 5 hours and 30 minutes daytime sessions
  • Weeks 3 and 4 - 2x 5 hours and 30 minutes daytime sessions

6 week course daytime sessions:

  • Weeks 1 to 6 - 2x 5 hours and 30 minutes daytime sessions

Since our Skills Bootcamps are Level 3 standard in England, you’ll need some existing knowledge and skills, ideally around the subject area of Early Years. We also ask that you have at least a Level 1 (GCSE grade D or 3) qualification. In addition, if you have a Level 1 English and Maths qualification, you’ll need to complete Level 2 Functional Skills during the apprenticeship.

We’ll ask for your English and Maths certificates before you enrol.

You should also be familiar and able to use Microsoft Office software.

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