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Childcare and Education

Level 1 Certificate in Caring for Children

Your first step towards working with children. If you want a career in a nursery, a school or early years care, this is where it starts. You'll learn how children grow and develop, how to keep them safe, and how to build the caring, trusting relationships that good early years work is built on. Hands-on, supportive, and a real route towards Level 2.

Apply or Enquire Book Open Event

Next Open Event · 10th September 4:30pm to 7:00pm

Admissions

Entry Requirements

What You'll Need

  • GCSE Grade 1 in Maths or English, plus one other GCSE
  • A genuine interest in working with and caring for children
  • Successful interview with our team
If you haven't yet achieved Grade 4 in Maths or English, you'll keep working towards them alongside your course, built into your timetable.

Explore Related Courses

Other courses you might be interested in:

Level 2 Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People

View all Education and Early Years courses →

What You'll Learn

Learn What Caring for Children Really Takes.

This course is a real introduction to working with children. It is more than playing: you’ll learn how children grow and develop, how to support their play and learning, and how to keep them safe and well. It builds the caring, patient, dependable qualities that every nursery and school looks for, and it gives you a genuine feel for whether this is the career for you.

Alongside working with children, you’ll build your own confidence and personal skills, and keep developing your Maths and English. It is honest work with real responsibility, and by the end of the year you’ll be ready to step up to the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner and keep moving towards a career working with children.

What You'll Cover

  • Growth and development of children
  • Supporting children’s play and learning
  • Keeping children safe and well
  • Developing your own confidence and personal skills
  • Preparing for your next steps in education and work
How You're Assessed

Assessment Methods

Coursework

Written assignments, research projects, and case studies that let you explore topics in depth.

Portfolio

Build a portfolio of evidence showcasing your skills and achievements throughout the course.

Coursework and a portfolio of evidence. No exams.
Career Destinations

Where This Course Takes You

Child and Early Years Officers

Up to £37,410
/year

Child and early years officers work with babies and with children up to 14 years of age (or 16 for those with special needs), providing support, help and advice to […]

Early Education and Childcare Services Managers

Up to £40,489
/year

Early education and childcare services managers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the administration, support systems and activities that facilitate the effective running of nurseries and early education centres.

Education Advisers and School Inspectors

Up to £69,855
/year

Education advisers and school inspectors plan, organise and direct the educational activities and resources in a local authority education area, and undertake inspections of schools and other training establishments excluding […]

Higher Level Teaching Assistants

Up to £29,620
/year

Higher level teaching assistants (HLTA’s) assist teachers with their day-to-day classroom work, the provision and planning of and the creation of lesson materials. HLTA’s teach classes on their own and […]

Your progression pathway

This course Level 1 Level 1 Certificate in Caring for Children
Where next Progress on to Level 2 → Level 2 Level 2 Diploma Early Years Practitioner NCFE → Level 3 / T-Level →
Our Facilities

Learn in a Real Nursery Setting

You'll learn in professional environments built for early years training, supported by tutors who've worked with children themselves.

  • Butterfly Day Nursery

    A professional day nursery on campus, so you learn in a real early years setting.

  • RealCare Baby Simulators

    Hands-on practice with realistic baby simulators, plus paediatric first aid and safeguarding.

  • DBS Check Covered

    Doncaster College pays for your DBS check, so cost is never a barrier to your placement.

Early Years Childcare Education (1)
On-Campus Nursery · DBS Covered
Robyn

Robyn

T-Level Education and Childcare

Student Voice

“

I’ve learnt how to model good behaviour and build strong relationships with children, and how to manage them. The coursework can be tough, but it’s exciting—and it’s worth it when you see the difference it makes for the children.

Read more student stories
For Parents & Carers

Supporting Your Child's Journey

GCSE Support Built In

If your child needs to resit GCSE English or Maths, it's built into the timetable — not bolted on as an extra. They'll get structured support alongside their main course.

About student support

Real Career Prospects

These qualifications lead to real jobs. Our courses are built around the skills that employers are actually hiring for — locally and nationally.

See career options

Learning Support

If your child has additional learning needs, our support team works with them from day one. Adjustments are put in place early so they can get the most out of their course.

About learning support

Come to an Open Event · 10th September 4:30pm to 7:00pm

See the facilities, meet the tutors, ask your questions in person.

Book Your Place
For Careers Advisers

Quick Reference Guide

Level

Level 1

Duration

1 Year

Study Mode

Full-Time

Awarding Body

NCFE

Entry

GCSE Grade 1 in Maths or English, plus one other

Assessment

Coursework + Portfolio

Age

16+

Ready to Start Working With Children?

Applications for September 2026 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.

Apply online Book Open Event

Questions? Call 0800 358 7575