Skills Bootcamps in Early Years

Part of the Government's Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain skills for life

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Start your career in childcare

Are you looking for a job where you can help to shape lives? If you are a caring, enthusiastic, and creative person who would like to work in an environment where every day is different, our new Skills Bootcamps in Early Years may be the right pathway for you!

Our Skills Bootcamps in Early Years are free*, flexible, short courses that will give you the opportunity to build up your skills in childcare. You will be working in a fun and fulfilling environment where you will be making an impact on young lives. Skills in Early Years will give the opportunity to work in a choice of settings including childminders, preschools, nurseries, and school reception classes.

Next steps

Check the eligibility criteria, then complete our form to register your interest. One of our Development Coaches will then be in touch to talk through your application.

Get started

The course

Course outline

The 16-week course offers remote learning with opportunities to gain face to face work experience with a local provider. You will work closely with our Development Coaches who will support you in your career development.

You'll gain qualifications in:

Safeguarding & Child Protection
Food safety and hygiene
Paediatric First Aid

This course also includes accredited learning opportunities such as:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Child development
Theories and approaches on how children learn and develop
The importance of CPD in Early Years
How to effectively promote Equality, Diversity and inclusion in Early Years
Legal requirements in Health and Safety

You will also be given sector-based careers advice, take part in webinars run by industry experts and gain new skills with work experience in the sector.

The benefits

Flexible learning, at a time that suits you

You’ll join a cohort on a time and day that suits you, allowing you to juggle your learning with your current schedule.

You’ll be supported each step of the way

Our expert assessors and development coaches will support you through each part of your journey with us, we’ll ensure you have everything you need to make the next steps in your career.

You’ll gain sector-relevant qualifications

We’ll upskill you to ensure your skills are noticed when it matters most. Qualifications in Safeguarding, Food & Safety and Paediatric First Aid form a key part of the course.

On the job experience

You’ll be able to undertake on the job work experience opportunities, providing you with a unique insight into the Early Years sector. As part of this, we will provide you with a DBS check, free of charge.

We’ll make sure your next step is the right one for you

Your development coach will make sure that when you finish the course, you are set up for the next steps in your career. We’ll make sure you have an accelerated apprenticeship to go to, and we’ll stay in contact with you, every step of the way.

It’s free

Unless you’re employed, the course, qualifications, DBS check and work experience is entirely free. What’s more, our development coaches are specialists in supporting people into education and employment opportunities.

Get started

Click Get Started to register for the course now! One of our Development Coaches will be in touch with you soon.

Get started

Eligibility criteria

You must be over 19 years of age as of 31 August 2024.
You have the right to live and work in the UK.
You currently live in England and lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
You are able to pass an enhanced DBS check.
You have not completed another Skills Bootcamp since 31 March 2024.

The course is free if you are not in work or do not work in the Early Years sector.

If you currently work in the Early Years sector, your employer may be asked to make a small contribution to your training. Further details apply – we can help you with this when you contact us.