Childcare courses

What is childcare?

Childcare refers to the supervision and care of children, typically from infancy to school age. It encompasses a wide range of activities designed to support children’s social, emotional and cognitive development. Childcare professionals play an important role, not only in ensuring children's safety but also guiding them as they build essential life skills.

Careers in childcare

The childcare field offers a range opportunities for those passionate about working with children. Some popular career paths include:

• Preschool or nursery teacher: Educate and care for children aged 3-5, preparing them for primary school.
• Nanny or childminder: Providing in-home care for children, working closely with families to support their specific needs.
• Child development specialist: Assess and support children's developmental progress, often working with those who have special needs.
• Family support worker: Assist families in accessing resources and services to support their children's well-being and development.
• Paediatric dietitian: Providing tailored dietary advice to babies and children based on allergies, nutritional requirements, and medical conditions.

Our childcare courses

Whether you’ve always loved working with children or are new to the field and simply fancy a career change, our range of courses has something for everyone.

We offer a range of courses to suit every level, from foundational level 1 diplomas that introduce you to the fundamentals of childcare, through to more advanced level 3 courses that cover specific areas like child psychology or understanding autism.

A number of our courses are designed for specific career paths, for example, nursery management, child care home practitioners, and babysitting. Others are more general, knowledge-based courses, such as the CACHE Certificates in Caring for Children.

For those with their heart set on a role as an early years educator, consider our packages which include a Level 3 Childcare Diploma combined with Functional Skills for Maths and English.

Early years courses

Our early years courses are ideal for those wanting to work with children up to the age of five. They cover all you need to know about the development and care of younger children, so are perfect for those wanting to work in nurseries and preschools, as well as those looking to become a childminder or nanny.

Each of our courses is designed to provide a structured and progressive learning path. You'll gain thorough knowledge and practical skills in essential areas such as:

• Effective communication in an early years setting
• Children with special educational needs and disabilities
• Observing and assessing children’s behaviour
• Healthy eating for children
• The legal responsibilities of the childminder
• Learning through play for child development
• Creating a positive nursery environment

Industry-recognised qualifications

NCFE CACHE qualifications

The Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education are the UK’s leading provider of vocational qualifications for those working within care and education. All courses lead to a nationally recognised Ofqual regulated qualification and are accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.

Once you have enrolled on your CACHE course, you will have access to the CACHE Alumni Membership for two years. CACHE Alumni is a professional membership network for those who work in the care, health and education industries, providing valuable resources and advice for your studies when working towards/with a CACHE qualification.

TQUK courses

Training Qualifications UK are another Ofqual-regulated body, who endorses childcare and education-related courses. TQUK courses are not official qualifications, but they are recognised by industry employers.

QLS endorsed courses

QLS is a widely recognised awarding body, endorsing high-quality non-regulated training programmes. The Quality License Scheme’s endorsement involves quality audits by external auditors to ensure that quality standards are continually met.

Benefits of studying our childcare courses

You’ll receive unlimited support from our expert tutors, discounts for students in the same household, and a free XO Student Discounts membership.

Flexibility

Our courses are designed to be studied either online or with a study pack from home. We understand that sometimes life gets very busy and responsibilities pile up. But we don’t think this should mean you miss out on the opportunity to learn, develop your career, and achieve your goals. Whether you’re juggling a job, looking after a family, or have other life commitments, with our range of distance learning courses you can study at your own pace, in your own time.

Unlike studying at a regular college or institution, Open Study College has no term dates, so you can start studying for your Childcare qualification at any time.

Don't wait to make a difference. Take the first step towards a fulfilling career in childcare today.

Frequently asked questions