Level 2 Certificate in Caring for Children and Young People

funded by uk government
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Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

All children and young people deserve to be safe and well cared for…

This qualification will give you an introductory understanding of childcare through exploring young children’s development, the value and importance of play, how to plan a healthy diet and the importance of safeguarding and welfare.

funded by uk government

Fully funded through the UK Government’s Adult Skills Fund (ASF). No cost for eligible learners.

Level 2 Certificate in Caring for Children and Young People

funded by uk government

Duration

Learn to care for children and young people in 6–12 weeks.

Fully Accredited

Gain a nationally recognised, accredited Level 2 qualification.

Save £399

Fully funded for eligible adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).

Free online childcare course with Level 2 certificate

What you’ll learn

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

Course content

Your free course is split into manageable units.

There are no exams. You will complete assessment questions based on the skills and knowledge you have gained from the course units below:

Young children’s development

This unit will explore the stages of development of young children from birth to three years.

Alongside this, you will learn about how positive environments support the development of young children.

The value of play to young children

Within this unit you will learn about the necessity of play to young children’s development as well as demonstrating different play activities suitable for young children from birth to five years old.

Importance of play for early learning

This unit will take you through the vital importance of creativity and imagination in the development of a child. You will learn about how to organise a cooking activity for children as well as the particular importance of books and stories in child development.

Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people

This unit examines legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people (including e-safety).

You will look at what action to take when children or young people are injured or ill and when complete, you will be able to recognise emergency procedures as well as how to respond to suspicions that a child or young people has been abused, harmed or bullied.

Use food and nutrition information to plan a healthy diet

This unit will help you to build an understanding of how to make healthy and nutritional food choices for children.

You will develop knowledge of food labels and what to look out for to ensure that children are given a balanced diet.

About this free online course

The free online childcare course has been designed to provide an in-depth understanding of various aspects concerning children and young people. Successful learners will be awarded with a level 2 qualification and accredited certificate.

Tutor support

Learn in confidence with support from a qualified tutor throughout the course.

Development

Join thousands of learners in growing both professionally and personally.

did you know?

Did you know?

The early years of a child’s life help build the foundations for future learning, confidence and wellbeing.

Source: gov.uk

free course learners with certificates

How it works

Your 3 simple steps to qualification…

You can begin your stress-free journey to qualification by completing the short form on this page.

Once submitted, we’ll instantly match you with a relevant training provider based on your location to complete your enrolment.

Enjoy a flexible and engaging learning experience through an award-winning online platform with support from a qualified tutor.

You can access first-class resources, interactive case studies, and support tools. All available on any device, anytime.

Your nationally recognised level 2 certificate proves you’ve developed essential new skills and in-depth knowledge. The qualification is accredited by either NCFE or TQUK, depending on your location.

It’s a powerful personal achievement that boosts confidence, enhances employability, supports CPD and opens the door to further study or career progression.

Progression

This course is for anyone interested in childcare and could be a great step towards:

Learner testimonials

Watch recent video testimonials from our learners.

Funded by UK Government

This course is fully funded for eligible learners in England through the UK Government’s Adult Skills Fund.

Your course will be delivered online by one of our approved training provider partners, depending on your location.

More people now qualify for free courses

Last year, we helped over 140,000 people enrol on free courses. Start yours today…

Want help getting started?

Our friendly course advisers are here to help you with your enrolment.

Real support from real people

Learners often tell us our advisers make the process easier, clearer and more reassuring.

Great experience, Kelly explained the course to me over the phone in great detail. Thank you 😊

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Charlotte Redden

Kelly Addis was really helpful, engaging and knowledgable. She made the application process really easy.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Luke

I’m so happy that I applied for a free course. Kelly Addis has been extremely helpful.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Yvonne Hinckesman

Excellent customer service from Kelly Addis. Thank you for the easy steps.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Azalea O'Rourke

Mark was very professional, helpful, approachable, and very quick to respond to any queries I had.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Nicole Powell

I would like to thank Mark Bromwich for helping me on to a level 2 course. He made the process very easy.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Ben Hudston

Thank you to Mark Bromwich for being a friendly and helpful guide to start me on the road to achieving my next learning goals.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Shani Storrie

My advisor, Mark Bromwich, has been brilliant. Very responsive to questions and full of helpful information too.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Gill Clulow

Thank you Helen for the excellent support. I cannot recommend these courses highly enough.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Ali Gowe

Helen made me feel comfortable and helped me fully understand how to navigate through the course from the very start.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Heywood Similon

Excellent service with easy to follow instructions. Dealt with Helen Whitthread who was very professional and helpful.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Paul Griffiths

Helen Whitthread, as student advisor, was fabulous and helped with a very quick and efficient enrolment.

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Carla Johnson

Quick, easy and very friendly enrolment. Thank you Helen Whitthread

Free Online Childcare Course with Level 2 Certificate

Stewart Flatters

contact advisors

Choose the support that suits you

You can enrol online straight away, or choose a call or WhatsApp option when you sign up if you’d like extra support. One of our advisers will then be in touch to help you with the next step.

Fast-track Enrolment

Enrol online in under 10 minutes…

step 1

Check Your Eligibility

*View visa restrictions

Funding isn’t available for Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, Graduate visas, Sponsorship (skilled/seasonal) visas, or any visa with a study restriction.

If this applies, you won’t be eligible for funding.

Start Your Enrolment

FAQs

What is a level 2 childcare qualification?

A level 2 childcare qualification is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in providing care and support to children.

It is a recognised qualification in England and is often required for individuals seeking employment in the childcare sector.

This qualification covers various aspects of child development, health and safety, communication, and supporting children’s learning and development.

What is a level 2 childcare qualification equivalent to?

A level 2 childcare qualification is equivalent to a GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) qualification in England.

How long does it take to do a level 2 in childcare?

The duration of a level 2 childcare qualification can vary depending on the mode of study and the individual’s pace. However, on average, the qualification takes about 6-12 weeks to complete.

This estimate is based on dedicating 5-10 hours of study per week.

Is the childcare course free?

If you meet the eligibility criteria then YES, the childcare course is free of charge!

We connect you with learning providers that use government funding, in the form of the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). 

Do I need to sit an Exam?

No, there are no exams, all courses require you to complete assessment questions based on the knowledge you have just gained from the units.

What can I do with a level 2 childcare qualification?

With a level 2 childcare qualification, you can pursue various career opportunities in the childcare sector. Some of the roles you can consider include; Nursery Assistant, Childminder Assistant, Preschool Assistant, Playgroup Assistant, and Nanny.

These are just a few examples, and there may be other opportunities available depending on your specific interests and qualifications.

Is the childcare qualification recognised by employers?

Yes, the childcare qualification is accredited by UK government-recognised awarding bodies. These include NCFE CACHE and TQUK, with whom we work closely to ensure our existing courses, and all new ones, meet approved standards of excellence and are certified as such. NCFE CACHE and TQUK are national awarding organisations that design, develops and certifies nationally recognised qualifications and awards.

All qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and are the perfect way to boost any CV.

How many free online courses can I take?

You can only take one course at a time but you can take up to 7 in one academic year.

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