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Who is this course for?
The aim of this course is to prepare you to work with children aged between birth and 8 years of age, and to provide you with knowledge about children.

The course is for students who wish to study a course in childcare and is specifically intended as a progression route to a Level 3 course, either in Childcare or another subject, or to enter the workforce as a nursery assistant.

What are the entry requirements for the course?
Five GCSEs at grades 2 or 3 (grade D-E) or higher, including BOTH Maths and English Language.
A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.

How long is this course?
This is a one-year full-time course starting in September and ending in June.

What will I study on this course?
These are the units you may study:


- Childcare and education study – gain knowledge and demonstrate ability around the skills needed to work with children. You will show your understanding of the role of an early years practitioner.

- Nurturing environments – learn to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse, and how to make child protection referrals.

- Introduction to how children learn – introduction to different frameworks where you develop an understanding of how children learn and the role an early years practitioner plays in supporting children’s learning.

- Working in the industry – develop your readiness for the world of work. Through research activities you will develop an awareness of childcare and education. You will conduct an assessment of your employability skills, plan for placement, and carry out work experience.

- Introduction to working with children – providing an overview of the different types of settings and local provision for children. You will develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the early years practitioner.

- Providing a safe and healthy environment – learn how to prepare a safe and healthy environment for children. You will develop an understanding of the relevant legislation around health and safety. You will learn how to plan activities and outings which are age and stage appropriate.

- Communication – Good communication skills are vital for working with children, you will investigate the different forms of communication and how to use them effectively.


- Introduction to child development – develop skills to observe children and how to use the observations to promote development. You will also explore the reasons for children not following expected patterns of development.

- Play and learning – the importance of play in children’s learning is the focus of this unit. You will learn about stages and types of play, and how you can provide appropriate activities to support development through play. You will learn how to provide children with challenge and risk in play.

- Supporting children with additional needs – learn how to support children with additional needs, develop an understanding of the needs of the child, and how to overcome barriers to participation. You will develop a knowledge of legal requirements and sources of support for children with additional needs.

What Qualification will I gain?
NCFE Jersey Progression Qualification in Childcare.

Will I go out on work experience?
Courses at Highlands College are about preparing you for the world of work. As part of your course, you will learn how to go about presenting yourself to an employer to stand the best chance of getting the job you are looking for. You will spend at least one week in a work placement.

What does this course lead on to?
Successful completion of this course to the required standard allows access to most Level 3 courses at Highlands College, including the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education.

You could be employed as a Nursery Assistant and continue your level 3 studies as an apprenticeship.

How much will it cost?
There are no fees for this course but students must self obtain a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Services check – £45, and join the Update Service – £13.

How can I find out more?
For further information, please contact the Highlands College Admissions team on: 608582 or email:
Full Time Applications on fulltimeapplications@highlands.ac.uk

Additional Information
All 6th form courses are subject to minimum enrolment numbers. Where a course does not meet the required number it will be reluctantly cancelled for that academic year. Affected applicants will be contacted and offered a transfer to another course if a suitable one is available.

Anyone who has been out of education for longer than 6 months will be invited for interview. Following interview, the application will be referred to a review panel.

International students should contact Jersey Immigration on immigration@gov.je Immigration For further information, before making an application.

Who is this course for?

Q41PCHD01
08/09/2025
26/06/2026
34 weeks
To be confirmed
Highlands College
£0.00

If you are enquiring for, applying to or enrolling on this course for yourself, please click the appropriate button below.

The leading provider of Adult & Community Education on the island.

The majority of our courses are delivered at our dedicated Adult Education Centre during the day and some evening classes too with parking outside.

Whatever you want to do to enhance your skills, learn something or achieve a qualification you will find it at ACE.

The Adult & Community Education (ACE) programme is only available to students who are no longer in compulsory education and are aged 18 or over.

You can book and pay for your ACE course online!

  1. Go to www.highlands.ac.uk and click on ACE Leisure Courses
  2. Create your personal account by clicking Request Account. (If you already have a personal account, log in with your username and password)
  3. Click on the course titles that interest you for more information. You can filter your search by subject or day.
  4. If you wish to enrol on a course, add your chosen course to your basket and follow the payment process.
  • Use a MasterCard, Visa or Maestro credit or debit card online
  • Supply mastercard, visa or Maestro credit or debit card information over the telephone or by person only. It is no longer acceptable to take written note of your card details.
  • Pay by cheque. Cheques should be made out to “Treasurer of the States”. If you are applying for more than one course please enclose separate cheques for each. This will enable us to return fees for courses that are already full and still process other applications without delay. Post your form and cheque to Highlands College – Student Records, Highlands Lane, St Saviour JE1 1HL.
Unfortunately, no. You will not have your application confirmed until payment is received in full. Remember payment can be made via credit card, cheque, postal order or, if applying in person, in cash.
All ACE course fees include your tuition and a registration fee. They may also include a contribution towards the cost of demonstration materials, venue rental, handouts, artist models, equipment or assessment fees. PLEASE NOTE: be prepared to supply materials in addition to your course fees depending on your course, for example flowers, cooking ingredients, art and craft materials or specialist clothing.
ACE courses vary in length from half-day workshops to one academic year. The majority of courses follow an academic timetable and may include half-term, bank holiday or other breaks.
We make every effort to avoid doing this, but occasionally it is necessary. This is why it is vitally important for us to have your current telephone numbers or e-mail address in order that we can contact you as speedily as possible. If you have a mobile telephone number, we will use a text message service to inform you of any changes to your course. If the change is not acceptable to you, a full refund will be issued. Please note, our text message service is a non-reply service.
The Adult & Community Education (ACE) programme is only available to students aged 18 or over. (Unless specified in the course information).
Applications for Adult & Community Education (ACE) leisure courses are accepted on a first come, first served basis on receipt of the fees. If the wait list is sufficiently large and additional tutors and facilities are available another course may be set up, for which you will be offered a place.
If you are aged 60 or over, an automatic concession is applied to your course fee on application.
A minimum enrolment number is required to recover the full costs of providing a course. If numbers of students fail to reach this minimum we reluctantly cancel it. Applicants are provided with a full refund or a transfer to another suitable course if one is available.
Unfortunately, we only offer a refund if a course has been cancelled by Highlands College. Circumstances such as illness, work commitments or leaving the Island are not considered for refunds. Course places cannot be deferred to another term and are not transferable to another person.
Highlands Professional courses offers a range of professional qualifications to enhance your career opportunities.
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