Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner 2025-26

The course is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and understanding of babies and young children from birth to 7 years of age, with applied knowledge in the early years, 0-5 years.
The qualification content meets the Department for Education’s (DfE) Level 2 full and relevant criteria for a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner in the workforce.

You will cover a range of topics across 14 mandatory units, including: promoting positive behaviour, special educational needs, communication, and safeguarding.

This qualification allows a learner to count towards the Level 2 ratio as a qualified Level 2 Early Years Practitioner across the Early Years Workforce. Learners may work under supervision in a variety of roles such as:

• Nursery practitioner
• Classroom assistant
• Pre-school practitioner

On successful completion of the course you may progress from this Level 2 qualification to NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Certificate in Childcare and Education, if you choose to explore a role in childcare.

Alternatively, you may choose NCFE Cache Level 3 Technical Certificate in Health and Social care if you are interested in working within the adult care sector.

You may also progress to work in the sector as an Early Years Practitioner.

Applicants require a minimum of 2 GCSEs at grade 4 including English or maths and 3 GCSEs at grade 3. A good reference; one from school and one from a person other than a family member are also required. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the potential to act independently and safely; therefore all candidates must be interviewed, supply references and receive a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure and Barring service check.)

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods.
Knowledge based outcomes can be assessed using a range of assessment tasks such as posters, essays and group presentations.
Skills based outcomes must be achieved with reference to a real work environment and must include direct observation within the workplace.

September 2025.

1 Year - Full Time.