Alliance Learning - Success through learning

Children's Care Learning & Development

Childcare is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the country, all training follows an individual training plan and takes place on the job, in the employer's premises or off the job in a training centre and leads to a long term career path in this sector.

What does the course involve?

• Planning and supervising activities such as reading, arts and crafts, music and cooking.
• Observing and monitoring children, making sure they are safe.
• Working closely with parents and reporting any concerns.
• Keeping records and giving information to parents on their child's development.

Interested candidates should have the following skills & interests....

• A warm, caring, patient nature
• Good communication skills
• A sense of responsibility
• A consistent and fair approach
• A sense of humour
• To be physically fit
• To have creative ideas
• An awareness of safety and hygiene
• To be able to work in a team

The programme consists of the following five areas:

1. NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Childcare
The NVQ consists of 7 or 9 units (dependent on the apprenticeship level) and is assessed in the learner’s workplace. The learner produces a portfolio of evidence that is used to prove competence on a variety of childcare duties.

2. Key Skills
The key skills are Application of Number and Communication, which are English and Mathematics based. Learners on an Advanced Apprenticeship will also complete IT skills. The learner may be exempt from key skills dependant on the GCSE grades they gained in English and Mathematics.

3. Technical Certificate
This covers key childcare principles, and varies depending on the Apprenticeship level, but will include things like providing a safe and healthy environment for children and supporting children in their play and development.

4. Employment Responsibilities and Rights
The Government has decided that everyone on an Apprenticeship programme must understand their responsibilities and rights within the working environment. Your Learning and Development Officer will supply you with the workbook which must be completed within 6 months of the start date of your training. You will also need the support of your employer in completing some of the tasks.

5. First Aid Qualification
The training will be a 12-hour course that will cover a range of emergency procedures that will enable you to practice first aid within your workplace.

Programme Led Apprenticeships

Alliance Learning is also able to offer Childcare Programme Led Apprenticeships. This is a short intensive course which can ultimately fast track a childcare Apprenticeship. Click on the link at the bottom of this page for further information on this programme.

Click on the below link to view case studies on past apprentices: