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Funding for eligible adults

Childcare and Education

Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People

  • Study online
Apply online See what you’ll study
Why study online?

Designed to fit around your life

  • Study around your life

    No fixed timetable and no commute. Log in on a lunch break, in the evening or at the weekend, and work at whatever pace suits you.

  • A qualification that counts

    Every course leads to a nationally recognised qualification from an established awarding body, not a certificate of attendance.

  • A real tutor, not just a website

    You submit your work to a tutor who reads it and writes back within five working days, and who you can reach by email or phone during office hours.

  • Funded for eligible adults

    For most adults aged 19 and over living in England, the Adult Skills Fund covers the tuition, the materials and the assessment.

If you’re looking for a qualifications that will give you an introduction to childcare, our Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People is the ideal course for you. This qualification is available via distance learning, so you can study flexibly around your other commitments.

The course covers a range of topics including child development, play, nutrition and safeguarding. You’ll develop practical skills and knowledge that will be essential in any childcare setting. This is the ideal starting point if you’re considering a career in childcare, or if you simply want to gain a better understanding of how to care for children and young people.

Unit 1: Young children’s development

This unit will explore the stages of development of young children from birth to three years. Learn about how positive environments support the development of young children.

Unit 2: The value of play to young children

Learn about the necessity of play to young children’s development as well as demonstrating different play activities suitable for young children from birth to five years old.

Unit 3: Importance of play for early learning

This unit explores the vital importance of creativity and imagination in the development of a child. Learn about how to organise a cooking activity for children as well as the particular importance of books and stories in child development.

Unit 4: Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people

This unit examines legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people (including e-safety). Learn what action to take when children or young people are injured or ill and when complete, gain the ability to recognise emergency procedures as well as how to respond to suspicions that a child or young people has been abused, harmed or bullied.

Unit 5: Use food and nutrition information to plan a healthy diet

This unit will help to build an understanding of how to make healthy and nutritional food choices for children. Develop knowledge of food labels and what to look out for to ensure that children are given a balanced diet.

Learning Method(s)

Paper materials
Online assessment
Paper assessment

How it works

What studying online actually looks like

  • Everything happens online

    The course runs on our online learning platform. There is no need to attend college at any point, though you are welcome to if you would rather work here.

  • You submit work as you go

    Each unit ends in questions you answer and send to your tutor through the platform. There is no exam hall and no fixed deadline to sit anything.

  • Your tutor writes back

    You get full written feedback on every assessment within five working days, and your tutor is available by email or phone during office hours if you get stuck.

Eligibility

Who can study these courses?

Funding eligibility

Funding is set nationally. To study one of these courses at no cost you need to be:

  • Aged 19 or over
  • Currently living in England
  • Resident in the UK or EU for the last three years, for reasons other than study
  • Not currently on an apprenticeship
We check this when you apply, so there is nothing to work out before you start.

For this course

  • Perfect for beginners

Withdrawals

Your Tutor will provide support and guidance throughout your qualification. In return, we expect learners to demonstrate commitment and engagement in completing the qualification within the academic year.

If no work is submitted for a period of four consecutive weeks, and no mitigating circumstances have been communicated, we will assume that you wish to withdraw from the course. Where mitigating circumstances apply, you must inform your Tutor as soon as possible by telephone or email so that appropriate support and arrangements can be considered.

Please note that, should you be withdrawn from the programme, an administration withdrawal fee of £249 will be payable. This fee covers administrative costs only and is not a charge for tuition.

Progression

Where this course can take you

  1. Before you start
  2. This course Level 2
  3. Further study

Check you have what you need in the entry requirements.

Not sure? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

See all 20 courses

At this college

At North Lindsey College

Careers it can lead to

  • Early Education and Childcare Assistants £13.30 an hour
  • Nannies and Au Pairs £14.13 an hour
  • Houseparents and Residential Wardens £25,800 a year
  • Childminders £12.72 an hour
See all 10 careers
  • Care Workers and Home Carers £13.39 an hour

With further study or experience

  • Child and Early Years Officers £27,500 a year
  • Early Education and Childcare Practitioners £12.96 an hour
  • Early Education and Childcare Services Managers £22,400 a year
  • Early Education and Childcare Services Proprietors £44,300 a year
  • Nursery Education Teaching Professionals £34,800 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Easy to get started

Four steps from here to qualified

  1. 1

    Find the course

    Browse by subject or search for what you need. Every course page lists the units, how long it takes and who it suits.

  2. 2

    Apply online

    Fill in the form. It takes a few minutes and you do not need anything to hand.

  3. 3

    We check you are eligible

    We confirm the funding, set up your account on the learning platform and introduce you to your tutor.

  4. 4

    Study at your own pace

    Work through the units in your own time, send your assessments to your tutor, and finish with a qualification.

Apply online Make an enquiry