Early Years and Teaching and Learning Support
The College offers a range of courses for those who wish to work in the early years or teachers’ support sectors. Whether you are seeking an opportunity to start a career in this area or are looking to develop your career, take a look at the courses available. To discuss your own individual career aspirations or to ask any questions please contact Paula Grady on 750200 ext 8884 or by email paulag@gcfe.net.
Overview of the courses can be found below.
CACHE Level 1 Introduction to Early Years Settings
Aim: The course provides a Level 1 qualification for those who work or wish to work with children and young adults aged 0-19* years. This is a part time course run by the College and is specially designed for unqualified staff who are working in the early years sector, new childminders setting up their business and people wanting to enter a career in the childcare sector.
Online course now available. This is an independent learning option, good IT skills are required. Includes 1:1 tutorial for each of the three units.
* You can attend this course if over 19, but if over 22 years old will need to be funded independently
CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools
Aim: Students will gain an insight and understanding into the role of the Learning Support Assistant, and is aimed at learners working in primary, secondary and specialist schools.
Entry requirements: A willingness to work towards functional skills maths and English Level 2, a willingness to work as a volunteer and gain experience in a school. A full enhanced DBS will be required on application and an interview by the course leader. Applicants will be asked to complete a taster assignment. Students working on the course will be required to volunteer in a school at least six hours per week.
Course duration: One full academic year
Progression: On full completion of the course students can access the Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools. They can volunteer in a school environment and can start to apply for positions that are advertised to work in Education as a Teaching Assistant (coming on the course does not give you a career in Education but will give you the knowledge and skills and experience to start applying for roles and jobs that may come up in the future).
CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
This course prepares learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to five years and gain knowledge of children aged five to seven years.
Entry requirements: Applicants must have a Level 2 qualification in Childcare or have had experience of working in the sector and a willingness to achieve GCSE maths and English at C grade or above within the three years of completing the course to enable you to practise as an unsupervised practitioner (Licence to practise at Level 3).
Course content: The course follows mandatory unit pathways and optional unit pathways and looks at key subjects such as:
- Communication
- Child Development
- Duty of Care in the sector
- Developing positive relationships with others involved in care
- Engaging in personal development
To achieve the qualification, you will need to achieve the full 65 credits and have worked consistently to a Level 3 standard.
Course duration: Two full academic years (afternoon or evening delivery based at the Les Ozouets Campus) and at least two full days a week volunteering in a childcare setting of your choice. If you are volunteering, a variety of settings and ages may be required across the two years.
CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools
Aim: This qualification will provide learners with an understanding of the knowledge needed when working directly with children and young people in school environments. It includes learning about children and young people’s (from 5 to 19 years) development, safeguarding their welfare and communication and professional relationships.
Please note that some knowledge of development in the early years has been included in the specification to enhance learners’ understanding.
The award is suitable for learners not yet working in a Level 3 school role but could achieve at this level. It is also suitable as initial training.
Entry requirements: On application students must have either a full Level 2 Childcare qualification, experience of working in a school (employed or volunteering) a willingness to work towards their functional skills maths and English or have maths and English GCSE C grade or above. Students will be asked to have a full enhanced DBS before working or entering the sector and will be advised that they should be volunteering at least one day per week or a minimum of six hours in a school setting Key stage 1 and above.
Applicants will be interviewed by the College and asked to complete a taster assignment before they will be accepted on the course.
Volunteers will be required to have a DBS and will be given information on how they can access and apply for this by the College. (Students who do not obtain a DBS will be required to pay for this themselves.)
Course content:
Students will complete 4 mandatory units:
- Communication
- Schools as Organisations
- Child Development
- Safeguarding the child and young adult
All units must be completed to a Level 3 standard in the agreed timescale and they will also be required to attend a variety of bespoke training sessions embedded into the curriculum provided by Education giving an insight into the role of the Learning Support Assistant and good practices set by States Education.
IT skills will be an essential and access to the Internet at home (training and support will be provided by the course tutors and specialists)
E-portfolio included within the cost of your course.
Course duration: One academic year
Progression Opportunities: Applicants completing the course will be qualified to work as a Learning Support assistant in a school within the restraints of Guernsey (volunteers must understand it is not guaranteed that you will enter the workforce and the qualification will give you the experience and Award to allow you more opportunity and access to apply for roles within Education).
Teaching Assistant and Learning Support Assistant in a school at Key Stage one and above.
After achieving the qualification students can then access Further Education and can process onto the Foundation Degree run on the island in Early Years Education and Care through the College or in Education run through States Education department.
CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools (top up)
Aim: This course is for students who have already achieved their Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools and would like to progress onto the Certificate to enable them to have a full licence to practise off island and to progress in their own personal development.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English and the Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning in schools. A full enhanced DBS and if volunteering the willingness to volunteer for at least 12 hours a week in a school setting key stage 1 and above. (NB Staff already employed by Education – this course is not funded through the Education Department and is being offered privately by the College and will need to be funded by the individual student for their own personal development and progression.) Volunteers will also fund their own learning. Students can apply for funding through the States but this will be on an individual application and may not be accessed by all.
Course Content:
Four units for the Award will be mapped into your qualification (All students will have to produce proof of their Level 3 Award and a copy of their certification will be required). An additional seven Units will be required to complete the full Certificate.
Progression: On completion of the qualification learners will have a full licence to practise in the UK as a Learning Support Assistant/Teaching Assistant and will be able to progress onto additional units completing the Level 3 Specialist Diploma in Supporting Teaching & Learning in School and will be able to progress in Higher Education on and off the Island.
Course duration: Seven months
Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
Course duration: Part-time over three years, including Saturday workshops.
Aim: The BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND) in Early Childhood Education and Care is aimed at students wanting to continue their education through applied learning. The HNC/HND provides a wide-ranging study of the early education and care sector and is designed for students who wish to pursue or advance their career in early education and care practice or related fields. In addition to the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin the study of the early education and care sector, the HNC/HND will give students experience of the breadth and depth of the sector that will prepare them for employment and progression within employment or further study.
Paula Grady Programme Leader- paulag@gcfe.net tel:750200 ext. 8884 or Julie Jones – juliej@gcfe.net or tel: 750200 ext. 8897
