Technical Certificate in Childcare and Education

Technical Certificate in Childcare and Education

Further Education Bursaries for Adults (19+)
At Cornwall College we want to remove as many barriers to learning as possible. If you are starting a full-time study programme with us we have a number of bursaries available to financially support you with your studies.

Find out more about funding options or Call us on 0330 123 2523

Do you enjoy being around children, have an interest in child development and are patient, caring, enthusiastic and enjoy being creative? But most of all do you have a sense of fun?

This one year course will allow you to gain practical experience in a childcare setting interacting with children and being part of a professional team whose main aim is to provide a caring and enabling environment. You will take part in a weekly work placement and attend college in order to complete the course.

You will take part in practical and theory lessons, in well- equipped classrooms that replicate the childcare settings. Our classrooms are well furnished with sector specific furniture and resources that allow you to explore the world of children in the early years setting. You will learn why children behave the way they do and the theory that supports their development and learning. You will also develop skills to carry out child observations using children who come into college or are in the workplace. An important aspect of being an Early Years Practitioner is learning your roles and responsibilities when with children, so we look at legislation, keeping children safe and working in partnership with others.

You will be taught by sector experienced tutors who are there to fully support you in your chosen career.

What you will learn Entry requirements Work experience Assessment Progression Cornwall College Camborne Cornwall College St Austell

What you will learn

This 1 year course will explain the role of the Early Years Practitioner when caring and educating children, it will give you a sound understanding of current curriculum and build on your skills to be an effective team member.

We will help you to develop your confidence in the workplace to enable you to communicate effectively and carry out your role. You will learn the art of time management and be an active part of the community through organising charity events or volunteering.

Entry requirements

4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including maths and English
Evidence for a DBS application by enrolment
Ability to go into work placement two days a week, every week for the duration of the course.

Work experience

Throughout your course you will need to spend two days a week in a childcare setting. This could be a Private Day Nursery, Nursery attached to a Primary School, Pre-School or Childminder. We help you to find your placement and a member of the team will visit you once per term to see how you are progressing and assess your skills.

Assessment

You will be assessed throughout the year both with internal assignments and external assessments. You will also have assessments that you will need to complete in the workplace.

Progression

Once you have finished the level 3 certificate course you can progress on to the Top Up level 3 Diploma course which will give you UCAS points and Licence to Practice to enable you to work with children.

It could also open doors into a large variety of careers in the childcare sector such as Nanny, Childminder, Family Support Worker, play therapy, speech and language, Key Worker and many more. You could also progress onto a Foundation Degree or full BA Honours Degree.

Cornwall College Camborne

Our Camborne campus has served as a vocational training hub for nearly a century. The iconic Tamar tower and the ‘big top’ that covers our construction and engineering provision, are landmarks known throughout the area. This legacy, combined with an exciting modernisation programme, has made Cornwall College Camborne the home of cutting edge facilities, dynamic learning experiences and fantastic student spaces. Open and modern learning areas, electric vehicle training labs, esports gaming facilities, chill out areas, an award-winning restaurant and plenty more besides, makes this the perfect place to have your #careercollege experience.

Visiting our Camborne campus?  View our visitor information

Cornwall College St Austell

Set at the top of St Austell, with incredible views over the bay, our campus boasts ground-breaking facilities and exceptional student spaces. The Keay Theatre area plays host to our famous Altitude Dance Academy and performing arts, while our award-winning student restaurant Cloisters is recognised as one of the best in the country. Brand new electric vehicle training labs set within our modern construction and engineering buildings showcase just some of the incredible opportunities for people in St Austell and beyond. There’s exciting plans ahead as well, so make sure Cornwall College St Austell is home to your #careercollege experience.

Visiting our St Austell campus?   View our visitor information

What You Will Learn

This 1 year course will explain the role of the Early Years Practitioner when caring and educating children, it will give you a sound understanding of current curriculum and build on your skills to be an effective team member.

We will help you to develop your confidence in the workplace to enable you to communicate effectively and carry out your role. You will learn the art of time management and be an active part of the community through organising charity events or volunteering.

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including maths and English
Evidence for a DBS application by enrolment
Ability to go into work placement two days a week, every week for the duration of the course.

Work Experience

Throughout your course you will need to spend two days a week in a childcare setting. This could be a Private Day Nursery, Nursery attached to a Primary School, Pre-School or Childminder. We help you to find your placement and a member of the team will visit you once per term to see how you are progressing and assess your skills.

Assessment

You will be assessed throughout the year both with internal assignments and external assessments. You will also have assessments that you will need to complete in the workplace.

Progression

Once you have finished the level 3 certificate course you can progress on to the Top Up level 3 Diploma course which will give you UCAS points and Licence to Practice to enable you to work with children. It could also open doors into a large variety of careers in the childcare sector such as Nanny, Childminder, Family Support Worker, play therapy, speech and language, Key Worker and many more. You could also progress onto a Foundation Degree or full BA Honours Degree.

Cornwall College Camborne

Cornwall College Camborne

Our Camborne campus has served as a vocational training hub for nearly a century. The iconic Tamar tower and the ‘big top’ that covers our construction and engineering provision, are landmarks known throughout the area. This legacy, combined with an exciting modernisation programme, has made Cornwall College Camborne the home of cutting edge facilities, dynamic learning experiences and fantastic student spaces. Open and modern learning areas, electric vehicle training labs, esports gaming facilities, chill out areas, an award-winning restaurant and plenty more besides, makes this the perfect place to have your #careercollege experience.

Visiting our Camborne campus?  View our visitor information

Cornwall College St Austell

Cornwall College St Austell

Set at the top of St Austell, with incredible views over the bay, our campus boasts ground-breaking facilities and exceptional student spaces. The Keay Theatre area plays host to our famous Altitude Dance Academy and performing arts, while our award-winning student restaurant Cloisters is recognised as one of the best in the country. Brand new electric vehicle training labs set within our modern construction and engineering buildings showcase just some of the incredible opportunities for people in St Austell and beyond. There’s exciting plans ahead as well, so make sure Cornwall College St Austell is home to your #careercollege experience.

Visiting our St Austell campus?   View our visitor information

Case studies

I managed to gain a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid certificate and attended conferences that I would otherwise not be privy to. I had the opportunity to fundraise for Childrens Hospice Southwest as part of a module and was privileged enough to visit Little Harbour, a truly humbling experience. I went into employment as the Charity Coordinator and Youth Worker for TICTAC Liskeard. The setting is within Liskeard School and Community College grounds and I love that I have a broad range of experience with children and young people and that I am able to apply the knowledge achieved throughout my studies.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years studying at The Cornwall College Group. The teaching and support from the lecturers has been fantastic. I would 100% recommend studying here for anyone looking to start their career working with children. I have learnt so many skills on the courses that I now use day to day in my job role. I’m looking at lots of different options for how I want my career to progress, maybe becoming an Early Years Advisor, at the moment I’m keeping all my options open.

Studying at Cornwall College was an excellent experience. The staff at both campuses were outstanding and really went the extra mile to support the learning journey for all of us. The range of modules were excellent and up-to-date and highly relevant to my chosen profession. Completing my Degree with Cornwall College has provided opportunities and experiences that I could only have hoped for with another institution