Level 2 Diploma · NCFE · Full-Time · 1 Year
The qualification that gets you working in early years for real. As a qualified Early Years Practitioner you can work in a nursery and count towards its staff ratios, so this is a genuine route into a job with children. You'll spend real time on placement in early years settings, learning the child development, safeguarding and care skills the job depends on.
A recognised early years qualification, with real placements built in. Your route into nursery work.
Other courses you might be interested in:
Level 1 Level 1 Certificate in Caring for Children
Level 2 L2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard
View all Education and Early Years courses →
This is where working with children becomes a real qualification. You’ll learn how children develop, how to support their learning and play, how to keep them safe through safeguarding and health and safety, and how to work well with families and colleagues in a setting. It is caring work, but it carries real responsibility, and it takes proper knowledge to do it well.
The heart of the course is real placement time in early years settings, where you put everything into practice with actual children. As a qualified Early Years Practitioner you can count towards a nursery’s staff ratios, so this leads straight into employment, or up to the Level 3 and the T Level.
Written assignments, research projects, and case studies that let you explore topics in depth.
Hands-on tasks and practical demonstrations in realistic working environments.
Build a portfolio of evidence showcasing your skills and achievements throughout the course.
Early education and childcare assistants assist in the care of children from birth up to seven years of age in day or residential nurseries, children’s homes, maternity units and similar […]
Early education and childcare practitioners lead the learning and development of and care for children from birth up to five years of age in a school, nursery, or childcare environment.
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 plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the administration, support systems and activities that facilitate the effective running of nurseries and early education centres.
You'll learn in professional early years environments and on placement in real settings, supported by tutors who've worked with children.
Butterfly Day Nursery
A professional day nursery on campus, so you learn in a real early years setting.
Real Placements
Time in real nurseries and early years settings, putting your learning into practice with children.
DBS Check Covered
Doncaster College pays for your DBS check, so cost is never a barrier to your placement.
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.
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 supportStudents are often surprised by how friendly and welcoming college is. It's a supportive community where they'll build genuine friendships and feel part of something.
About student lifeThese are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.
See the full unit listLevel
Level 2
Duration
1 Year
Study Mode
Full-Time
Awarding Body
NCFE
Entry
GCSE Grade 3 in English and Maths
Assessment
Coursework + Practical Assessment + Portfolio
Age
16+
Applications for September 2026 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.
Questions? Call free 0800 358 7575 or email dcinfocentre@don.ac.uk