Career Guide

Foundation Degree in Early Years, Early Years Service, Childhood Studies, care and Education, HND Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families or HND Advanced Practice in Early Years (and) Education are level 5 early years qualifications.

Level 5 qualifications are a stepping stone towards a full degree and Early Years Teacher Status.

Local colleges and other training providers offer level 5 early years qualifications to practitioners in Dorset. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering the Level 5 Early Years Foundation Degree or HND Advanced Practice in Early Years.

Full or partial funding may be available from your local authority to achieve a Level 5 qualification.

To progress from Level 5 to Early Years Teacher Status you need to hold GCSE Grade C or above in English, maths and science (or recognised equivalent). It's advisable to have these in place before you commence a Level 5 qualification. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering GCSEs.

To gain Early Years Teachers Status you need a degree and GCSE Grade C or above in maths, English and science (or recognised equivalent). You will also be required to pass the same professional skills tests as classroom teachers.

Visit the Department for Education's Get into Teaching website for details (see factsheet).

Funding varies depending on EYT route taken and can include bursaries, course fees and study release for employers. More information on funding can be found on the Department for Education's Get into Teaching website (see factsheet).

If you aspire to gain Early Years Teacher Status, but do not meet the GCSE requirements, you may be eligible for full funding towards gaining GCSEs. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering GCSEs, they can advise if you are eligible for funding.

See factsheet below for full details.

Award in an Introduction to Early Years Settings or Certificate in Caring for Children (CACHE). These level 1 qualifications will provide you with a basic knowledge of childcare in early years environments.

As level 1 is optional (most start at level 2), there are very few training providers offering this level in and around Dorset. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering the Level 1 Award in an Introduction to Early Years Settings or Certificate in Caring for Children.

Full or partial funding may be available to achieve Level 1 qualifications. Talk to a range of training providers about your eligibility.

Most childcare qualifications are work based, so your first step is to look for a job or volunteering opportunities. This website advertises job vacancies and training providers have links with childcare settings that offer voluntary opportunities.

A level 1 playwork qualification is suitable for anyone just starting work in an out-of-school club or as a childminder caring for school aged children. It is also suitable for those with existing early years qualifications who wish to gain more skills and knowledge working with school aged children in a play setting.

As level 1 is optional (most people choose to start at level 2), there are very few training providers offering this level. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering the Level 2 Playwork qualification.

Full or partial funding may be available to achieve playwork qualifications. Talk to a range of training providers about your eligibility.

Most childcare qualifications are work based, so your first step is to look for a job or volunteering opportunities. This website advertises job vacancies and training providers have links with childcare settings that offer voluntary opportunities.

Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner or Certificate in an Introduction to Early Years Education and Care. These level 2 qualifications helps learners to build the knowledge and skills needed when working with children. It is a general qualification for the wider children’s workforce and will be excellent preparation for the Level 3 Early Educator qualification.

Most childcare qualifications will be gained while you work in a setting. There are a number of local colleges, private training providers and national distance learning centres that offer level 2 early years qualifications. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering the Level 2 qualifications.

Full or partial funding may be available to achieve early years qualifications. Talk to a range of training providers about your eligibility.

Depending on your experience and qualifications you could even start at level 3 rather than level 2. If you have a degree you may consider gaining Early Years Teacher Status. Training Providers will offer guidance on the best level for you to start.

Award, Certificate and Diploma in Playwork: An introduction to the primary aspects of working with 4 – 16yr olds in play environments. The Award will require 10 credits, the Certificate 25 credits and the Diploma 61 credits.

However, you are also able to work in an out-of-school clubs with an early years qualification, such as the level 2 Certificate in Working with Children and Young People's Workforce. If you choose that option you may wish to take the Play Way introductory playwork training course to give an overview of the principles of playwork.

Most childcare qualifications will be gained while you work in a setting. There are a number of local colleges, private training providers and national distance learning centres that offer level 2 playwork qualifications. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering the Level 2 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Playwork.

Full or partial funding may be available to achieve early years and playwork qualifications. Talk to a range of training providers about your eligibility.

Depending on your experience and qualifications you could even start at level 3. Training providers will offer guidance.

Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner, Diploma for Early Years Education and Care or Diploma for the Early Years Workforce. These Early Years Educator qualifications are designed to help learners build the knowledge and skills needed when working with children. They are built up of mandatory and optional units. You will be required to hold a level 2 in maths and English such as GCSE grade A*-C/4-9, (CSE Grade 1 or O level), functional or key skills.

Most childcare qualifications will be gained while you work in a setting. There are a number of local colleges, private training providers and national distance learning centres that offer the level 3 early years educator qualifications. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering either the Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner or Diploma for Early Years Education and Care.

Full or partial funding may be available to achieve early years qualifications. Talk to a range of Training Providers about your eligibility.

There are also some specialist qualifications such as Montessori at Level 3 and above.

Managers and leaders may also consider gaining leadership and management qualifications.

If you aspire to progress to Level 5, 6 and Early Years Teacher Status in the future you need to hold GCSE Grade C or above in maths, English and science (or recognised equivalent). Contact Training Providers. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering GCSEs.

Award, Certificate and Diploma in Playwork: Provides in-depth information about the role of the playworker when working with children and young people between 4 – 16yrs of age. The Award will require 12 credits, the Certificate 32 credits and the Diploma 65 credits.

However you are also able to work in an out-of-school clubs with an early years qualification, such as the level 3 Diploma in Working with Children and Young People's Workforce. If you choose that option you may wish to gain the level 2 Playwork qualification to give an overview of the principals of playwork.

Most childcare qualifications will be gained while you work in a setting. There are a number of local colleges, private training providers and national distance learning centres that offer level 3 playwork qualifications. Visit the courses section of this website to search for training providers delivering the Level 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Playwork.

Full or partial funding may be available to achieve early years and playwork qualifications. Talk to a range of training providers about your eligibility.

Managers and leaders may also consider gaining leadership and management qualifications.