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Children's Care, Learning and Development
If you would like to inspire children and support their development, then an Apprenticeship in Children’s Care Learning & Development (CCLD) could be for you. Working with children is a challenging but very fulfilling job, where no two days are ever the same.
The course involves working with children from babies to sixteen years old to encourage their social, physical and emotional development.
An Apprenticeship in CCLD can give you a great start to your career, as you could have the opportunity to progress from a trainee to a nursery assistant, supervisor, or nursery manager. Other career opportunities include playworker or childminder.
To be a successful Apprentice you’ll need to be patient, caring, responsible and able to relate to children. If you think you have the qualities needed, read on to find out more:
During your Apprenticeship,
You will be learning how to and will demonstrate your ability to be responsible for:
- Promoting the physical, social and emotional development of children
- Providing a safe and stimulating environment
- Contributing to the protection of children
- Supporting learning through play
- Practical assistance, such as feeding and changing clothes
- Observing and assessing development
- Planning and implementing learning activities
- Establishing relationships with parents and outside child agencies
By completing the Apprenticeship you will gain:
- NVQ Level 2 (Apprenticeship) or Level 3 (Advanced Apprenticeship) in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
- Technical Certificate Level 2 (Apprenticeship) or Level 3 (Advanced Apprenticeship) involving projects evidencing knowledge of childcare
- Key Skills Level 1 (Apprenticeship) or Level 2 (Advanced Apprenticeship) in Application of Number and Communication
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate
- Employment Responsibilities and Rights
YMCA Training will:
- Give you a full induction so you are prepared to start your Apprenticeship
- If you’re not employed in a childcare role already, we’ll help you to find a job in which you can work towards the Apprenticeship
- Visit you regularly to assess your progress and observe you in the workplace
- Provide the appropriate off the job training
- Support and guide you throughout your course
Entry requirements:
The sector requires you to have background check from the Criminal Records Bureau which clears you to work with children. This check can be arranged upon starting the course.
Apprenticeships
An Apprenticeship is suitable for students who have not worked in childcare before, or who are working as Nursery Assistants. To join the course you will need to have a reasonable level of literacy and numeracy skills. For the Apprenticeship level you do not need any previous qualifications, you just need to show that you:
- Have a real interest in working with children
- Are committed to the training
- Have good communication skills
- Have the ability to achieve the Key Skills in Application of Number and Communication
Advanced Apprenticeships
An Advanced Apprenticeship is suitable for students who have some responsibilities and are working towards or have the role of supervisor. For an Advanced Apprenticeship you either need to have completed the Apprenticeship, or be able to show that you have skills and knowledge at the level required to achieve an Apprenticeship.
You should have a good level of literacy and numeracy and in addition to the qualities required for an Apprenticeship, you should also be:
- Able to work on your own initiative
- Self-disciplined
- Confident and able to take responsibility and guide others
Course length:
The course is flexible so that you can take the time you need to achieve the different elements. Most people take between 12-14 months to complete the Apprenticeship and around 18 months to finish the Advanced Apprenticeship.
An Apprentice’s view:
“It’s the best feeling in the world to make children smile and laugh. YMCA Training has given me the chance to realise my dream.”
Terri, Trainee Nursery Assistant
