Course overview
Get Set! to start your journey into the world of childcare with Nacro Education Middlesborough.
If you’re thinking about a career working with children, looking for something a bit different from mainstream college, and still want a nationally recognised qualification, our Get Set! for Childcare (Caring for Children) Level 1 is a great place to start.
Crafted alongside industry experts, our Childcare Level 1 course will give you a broad introduction into the childcare sector.
You will gain an understanding of stages of development through play whilst enjoying practical lessons alongside written tasks and group discussions.
Through work experience, practical lessons in small, personalised classes, and one-to-one support we take you through the basics of childcare and show you how to make learning fun, keep children safe, and involve them in group activities.
Giving you the transferable skills and knowledge, you need to start your career, progress onto further levels of study, or pursue an apprenticeship.
Study will take place in the centre mainly with opportunities for external visits and trips throughout the course. At the end of the course, you’ll have the hands-on experience and confidence you need to take your next step.
What will I learn?
At Nacro Education Middlesbrough, we let you learn in your way, at your pace. On Get Set! for Childcare (Caring for Children) Level 1 you will gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge you'll need to work in the industry. This course has been purposely designed to give students a broad introduction into these sectors, equipping you with the transferable knowledge and employability skills you need.
These include:
• How to encourage children to join in and learn from others.
• How musical activities promote development.
• How to plan a healthy meal.
You will be awarded the qualification following successful completion of the units through a portfolio of evidence.
Modules
As part of your Childcare (Caring for Children) Level 1 course, you will cover a range of modules designed to broaden your knowledge and skills and give you the confidence to take the next step. By completing these modules, you will be able to gain an industry recognised award or certification.
Level 1 consists of 10 units that are covered by practical lessons, written work, group discussions, and visits to childcare settings, taught by a qualified early years practitioner.
Some of the topics you’ll cover are:
• Growth and development of young children
• Sharing learning experiences with children
• Respecting and valuing children
• Children’s play and leisure activities in the community
• Preparing for your next steps
• Supporting babies to play
• Craft activities for young children
• Musical activities for young children
• Finding out about Forest schools
• Healthy eating for families.
After each unit is complete an accompanying task needs completing, tasks can be completed in various formats including designing posters, booklets, or handwritten.
As part of your Get Set! Childcare Level 1 course, you will also complete your GCSE and/or Functional Skills English and/or maths, depending on whether you have achieved a grade 4 or above.
Assessment
At Nacro Education Middlesbrough, we use a variety of assessment methods to ensure you achieve the Childcare Level 1 qualification.
Modules are assessed in the form of a portfolio of work, this could include observations on practical tasks or written assessments. You’ll be supported with all your work and given feedback and an opportunity to rework it before external assessment takes place. Your teacher will go through all this when you sign up for the course.
Work experience
Our Get Set! courses give you the opportunity to gain real-world experience working in local businesses alongside the learning you’ll do at Nacro Education.
For Childcare (Caring for Children) Level 1, you will have the chance to do at least two weeks of relevant work experience to support your studies, gain experience, and potentially develop contacts with future employers. Our team will help you secure a work placement and will provide you with everything required for you to attend your placement. You will be given help to find a suitable placement and supported while working there, meaning you’ll leave with something impressive to add to your CV, as well as gaining practical experience and skills.
At Nacro Education Middlesbrough we also have an employability teacher available throughout the year to help you explore your career options and develop the skills needed to move on after finishing the course.
Enrichment opportunities
Enrichment activities allow you to gain valuable extra-curricular experiences that enable you to stand out on your CV. As part of all our Get Set! courses, you will be involved in a variety of enrichment opportunities which are on offer through the year, including:
• Email writing and communication skills.
• CV writing and interview practice.
• Job research.
For our Childcare Level 1 course, we welcome external speakers to the centre so our students can hear from people working in the childcare sector, ask questions, and broaden their knowledge of the kind of job they might want to do.
Career and progression
After successfully passing this course, you will have core knowledge to progress to a higher-level qualification and to move forward towards your chosen career.
Once you have completed your Childcare (Caring for Children) Level 1 course, you will be able to progress onto the Childcare Level 2 course, and then onto the Childcare Level 3, or apply for an apprenticeship within childcare. After Level 3, you will be qualified to work in a childcare setting and start your future career.
