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Early Years Practitioner Level 2

The Early Years Practitioner Level 2 programme is designed to help you build the knowledge and skills needed when working with children and young people from birth to seven years of age. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas working in children’s environments. Practical work-based training forms a large part of this programme. You will also engage in activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills. Theoretical work includes the modules of study listed below and several optional modules that are not listed.

***Applications for full-time courses and joint apprenticeship applications will close at midnight on Sunday 3rd July 2022.

If you have not yet made an application then we encourage you to do so before this date, as we are unable to process any applications received after this time.

Course Info

Do I have to pay a fee?

How to make an Application

Other courses in this area

Course Content

Early Years Practitioner Level 2 units may include:

Supporting physical care routines for children
Understanding how to plan to meet the needs of the developing child
Supporting children’s play
Managing paediatric illness and injury

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs (9-3) including English Language, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant Level 1 qualification
An interview.
Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS*) check is also required.

* Please note there is a charge of £44 for a DBS check.

Career Opportunities

Learners can progress to the following job roles:

Assistant pre-school workers.
Assistants in children’s centres.
Assistants in day nurseries, nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools.

Course Progression

This qualification allows progression onto the Children’s Play, Learning and Development Level 3 programme.

All students aged 16-18 on the first day of their course will have their course fully-funded by the government.

Costs of studying

If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August in the calendar year when you begin a programme of study, you DO NOT pay tuition fees, College registration fees or examination/board registration fees. However, there are some courses which have additional costs which could include:

equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, boots, etc.
trips and enrichment activities
DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)

For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, books and equipment and much more.

Aged 19+ - Fees and Funding

If you are aged 19 and over, in certain circumstances you may be eligible for a fee waiver and therefore you will not have to pay for this course.

Eligibility for a fee waiver will depend your age at the start of the course, your previous qualifications, your employment status and whether you claim certain benefits.

If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, you may be eligible for some assistance from the College’s Bursary Funds, depending on the household financial circumstances.

If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, and are not eligible for assistance from the Bursary Fund, you will have to pay for this course.

Published course fees for this course are located further down this course information page.

Aged 19+ - Do I have to pay a fee?

The information in this section applies to this course, and may not apply to other courses with different funding criteria.

You will not pay tuition fees if you are:

aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2022 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan

aged 19 – 23, and already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are unemployed and in receipt of benefits

aged over 24, unemployed and in receipt of benefits

aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are employed with a gross annual salary under £17,374 per annum

aged over 24 and are employed with a gross annual salary under £17,374 per annum

You will pay the published fee (where part of the fee is paid by the government) if you are:

aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are unemployed but do not claim a benefit

aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and earn over £17,374 per annum

aged over 24 and are unemployed but do not claim a benefit

aged over 24 and are employed with a gross annual salary over £17,374 per annum

If you are aged 19-23 and do not already have a level 2 qualification in any other subject or 5 GCSEs grades 9 – 4, you will not qualify for any government funding and will pay a considerably higher amount than the published fee.

In certain circumstances, the College’s discretionary bursary fund maybe able to assist with a contribution towards tuition fees. Eligibility to the fund depends on the household’s financial circumstances. Further information regarding the discretionary bursary fund can be found further down this page.

Please note that if you have to pay the full-cost fee, you are unable to access any financial assistance from the College Bursary Fund.

Am I eligible for a bursary?

If you are aged 19 at the start of the course, unemployed and not in receipt of benefits, or employed and earning over £17,374, you may be eligible for assistance with your tuition fees from the College Bursary fund.

Bursary funds are targeted at households with a net income of under £25,000.

If you are assessed as being eligible for a bursary award to assist with your tuition fees, the award will not exceed 75% of the fee payable and you will be responsible for paying the balance of the fee.

Students of all ages can apply for assistance from the bursary fund for other course related costs, such as transport, meals, books and equipment.

The bursary fund cannot assist with any general living costs nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.

Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £25,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.

When can I apply?

16-19 and 19+ Bursary Fund applications for courses starting in the 2022/23 academic year will be open from June 1st 2022.

For courses starting in September 2022, applications should be made by 1st November 2022. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.

Full details of the bursary funds can be found here:

16-18 Bursary Information

19+ Bursary Information

Payment Options

Can I pay in instalments?

Where total course fees exceed £200 you (or your employer, if they are paying your course fees) can choose to pay your fees in instalments through a monthly payment plan.

40% of the fee or £500 (whichever is lower) will be payable at enrolment.

The balance must be paid within 6 months or by the end date if the course is less than 6 months in duration.

Payment in full in advance

Payment should be made in full at the time of enrolment. Acceptable payment methods include Debit Card and Credit Card (excluding American Express). Please note that we are no longer able to accept cash or cheque payments.

How to make an Application – Watch our video guide!

***Applications for full-time courses and joint apprenticeship applications will close at midnight on Sunday 3rd July 2022. If you have not yet made an application then we encourage you to do so before this date, as we are unable to process any applications received after this time.

Early Years Practitioner Level 2

Level	Level 2
Location	Colchester
Duration	One year
Study Mode	Full-Time
Campus	Colchester Campus
Start Date	September 2022 - Applications open on 1st October 2021
Fee(s)	16-18 year olds: Free 19+: £1,301

Apply Online For Colchester Course Enquiry Line: 01206 712 777 Course and Application Enquiries Open Event Updates Receive Updates For Parents & Guardians Fee Exemptions Apply

Other courses in this area

Level 1 Courses

Caring for Children Under Five Level 1

Level 2 Courses

Level 3 Courses

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2021-22 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.