Early Years

The Early Years and Childcare areas provide students the first step onto a challenging and rewarding career. Students will study a discipline which provides a vital part in supporting the learning and development of children of all ages, as well as embark on ongoing placements in a variety of locations. The curriculum is specially designed to promote a real work environment with specialised rooms and lectures designed to create a real-life atmosphere, and provide the very best learning experience for all.

There are many career paths you could take after studying with the College, either full time or part time in a range of roles and settings. Early Years Practitioners are passionate about their work, playing with children of all ages whilst supporting their learning and development. With adult guidance children learn through play to be good communicators, developing social skills and promoting their creative and physical ability.

As you move upwards in your career you could aspire to become an Early Years Professional, incorporating both advanced practitioner expertise and management skills into a variety of settings. You could even end up running your own business with responsibility for the curriculum, staff, budgets and building effective relationships with parents.

A qualification in early years will also provide you with the opportunity to go on to study a Degree in social care, or a PGCE at university, or even work as a nanny within the UK and beyond, or within kids camps such as Camp America and Ski Esprit, for example.

Salaries for those working within Early Years can vary depending on the role and location, but generally range between £12- 14,000 for a qualified Level 3 experienced practitioners.
 

Counselling

The Counselling courses provide professional training up to practitioner level of qualification. The Level 3 can be used as a jumping board into either professional training, or progressing onto the Level 4 Diploma, which provides a sound theoretical framework and the skills to work safely as a counsellor. Students who go on to complete the additional supervised counselling hours can then apply for accreditation from the BACP. Also available is the Certificate in Bereavement Counselling Level 2, which helps develop communication and counselling skills, as well as self and other awareness.

The courses themselves are lively, interactive and student-centred, and have been exclusively designed by the Programme Leader, and accredited by the awarding body NCFE.