Early Years Practitioner diploma

About the course

This qualification is your first step towards a rewarding career in Early Years, giving you the skills, knowledge and confidence to support children from birth to five as a qualified Level 2 Early Years Practitioner.

Designed to fit around working life, this flexible diploma helps you grow professionally while making a real difference every day. Learning takes place through live weekly webinars, combined with home-based coursework — offering the perfect balance of guidance, connection and independence.

Even better, regional funding is available, meaning learners in eligible areas can study for free. Scroll down to see if your region is included and apply today to start your journey in Early Years.

Is this course right for you?

We know that a career in early years can be extremely rewarding. We also understand how important it is for you to get the right skills to help you progress in the sector and have the capability and expertise to make a positive difference to children.

The Early Years Practitioner Level 2 diploma is ideal for those with job titles such as Nursery Assistant, Early Years Practitioner, Nursery Practitioner, or Early Years Worker.

Our flexible and blended approach to training means that activities can be scheduled around needs. All learning is either on a 1-2-1 basis or small group webinars which can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection.

Throughout the programme we will meet with you to ensure you understand your course, to report on your development and progress as well as making sure your programme requirements are being met.

What you’ll learn:

During this the course we’ll help you to develop the essential early years skills and behaviours that you would expect to see in an exceptional employee.

Key learning topics covered during the diploma include:

• Understanding the role of the early years practitioner
• Health and Safety in an early years setting
• Safeguarding in an early years setting
• Understanding child development
• Communication with children
• Supporting activities, purposeful play and educational programmes
• Supporting children with special educational needs
• Working with others in early years
• Understanding the principles of wellbeing in children

How you’ll learn

Our highly skilled and knowledgeable staff share their experiences of working in the sector to support and develop the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be a great practitioner.

All learning is either on a 1-2-1 basis or small group webinars so that you have the best experience possible with sector experts. We are delivering the programme face-to-face and remotely to provide as much flexibility as possible.

Funding available to learn for free!

There is regional funding available through the Government's Adults Skills Fund, enabling practitioners in the following regions to access this course for free. Complete the form below to apply now. Limited funding available.

North West England
- Cumbria
- Cheshire and Warrington
- Lancashire
- Liverpool City Region
- Yorkshire and the Humber
- West Yorkshire

Hull and East Riding
- South Yorkshire

East Midlands
- Leicestershire
- Northampton
- Rutland

East of England
- Norfolk and Suffolk
- Hertfordshire
- Bedfordshire

West Midlands
- Staffordshire
- Herefordshire
- Warwickshire
- Shropshire and Telford
- Worcestershire

South West England
- Gloucestershire
- Swindon and Wiltshire
- Dorset
- Somerset
- Devon

South East England
- Surrey
- Oxfordshire
- Hampshire and Solent
- Kent and Medway
- Berkshire
- East and West Sussex and Brighton

Learner Loans

If you are not residing in a region with available funding, you may want to consider applying for a Learner Loan. For further details on Learner Loans, please visit our webpage.