Extended Diploma in Childhood and Early Years Level 3

This course is for people who wish to enter employment in the childcare sector or follow a higher education course in the Early Years field. It offers a focused qualification that is directly related to early-years work experience.

The course provides learners who successfully pass all the requirements of the qualification with a licence to practise, allowing them to undertake work in a child centred environment.

The course work is varied, involving case studies, written assignments, external assessments and practical and group work in class.

Areas that are covered may include:
- Protecting children
- Promoting children's rights
- Children's learning activities and play
- Promoting children's development
- Positive relationships for children's care, learning and development
- Positive environments for children's care, learning and development

Two days placement per week is expected in a minimum of two child care areas, gaining experience of working with children aged 0 - 8 years. Students will be required to undertake both formal and informal observations on children while in placement, evaluating their findings and making recommendations for future practice.

Find out more about our childhood studies courses here

Entry Requirements:

Interview required

You must be under 19 upon commencement of the course. Applicants should have 5 GCSEs at grade C or above (including English) or a full level 2 qualification such as the first diploma in children's care, learning and development (minimum of merit level) or the CACHE level 2 in childcare and education (minimum of grade C). Functional skills English at level 1 is accepted as an equivalent to a grade C at GCSE. If you are considering progressing to University to study teacher training, you will also need GCSE science and maths at grade C or above. There may be limited opportunities to retake core subjects at college - details available on request from student services. An enhanced check undertaken by the Criminal Record Bureau is essential. Details available on request from student services.

Assessment:

The course is assessed by a range of methods with may include projects, booklets, posters, assignments, case studies and coursework. Each unit will be graded as a pass, merit or distinction. Learners must also complete a minimum of 800 work placement hours in a range of settings as laid down in the course specification criteria.

Progression from this course:

The course develops knowledge in the early years sector, providing a basis for the opportunity to enter into higher education or to go directly into employment.

Locations:

King's Lynn Campus - PE30 2QW, Isle Campus - PE13 2JE

Duration:

2 Years

Start times:

September 2013

How to Apply:

Please apply online using the general college application form

Course Costs:

All students on full-time courses will need to pay a materials / resources fee. Details will be provided before enrolment. If you are under 19 on 31st August in the year you begin your programme, you will not have to pay tuition or registration fees for your course. For students aged 19 or over, there will be a tuition fee (depends on the course) for each year of the course as well as a registration fee (which includes exam fees). However, many students will be eligible for reduced fees and / or financial support towards the costs. Click here for detailed information. Please contact Student Services if you have further queries.

You will be required to purchase a polo shirt (to wear at placement) and at least one course recommended text/reference book. Costs may vary. Criminal Record Bureau check is essential. Please contact Student Services to check the cost of this.

Additional Information:

If you are aged 19 or over, you may be eligible to apply to the college's learner support fund for financial support with the costs associated with your studies. For more details, please click here or contact student services on 01553 815271 (King's Lynn campus) or 01945 582561 (Isle campus) or 01223 860701 (Cambridge campus)