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Early Years and Education

If you want to work with children in an early years or education setting, these courses will help you to get a head start in this rewarding sector. 

Whether you want to work in a nursery or Children’s Centre, become a nanny, or maybe a teaching assistant in a school, having a recognised qualification will be essential. 

Our courses range from Level 1 to Level 5 (university-level study) so you could progress right through to degree-level with us. You’ll be based in our brand new City Hub and programmes include a mix of classroom learning, practical assessments, visits and placements. 

Level 3 courses will lead to early years educator status, which is the gold standard’ for the early years workforce. These courses also contain an extended work placement.

Most courses include work experience, and we have extensive links with local schools and nurseries. You can also study early years courses through an apprenticeship route in the workplace. 

After you complete your qualification you could apply for a job in industry or progress to our foundation degrees in early years studies or supporting teaching and learning in schools.

You can download a course or apprenticeship guide here.

DBS Check

Our Level 2 and 3 students and some Level 1 students will complete a placement in a nursery or a school and in order to do this you will need to have a DBS which shows that you are safe to work with children. 

To receive a DBS Certificate, you will need to complete an application (we will help you with this, don’t worry) and you need to provide identification. 

You will need two of the following: 

  • Passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Full or provisional driving licence 

You will also need to provide us with your proof of address that is on a bank statement or a benefit letter with your name on it. 

Please do your best to have the ID ready before you start your course. 


Our courses range from Level 1 to Level 5 (university-level study), so you could progress right through to degree-level with us. Programmes include a mix of classroom learning, practical assessments, visits and placements. Level 3 full-time courses will lead to Early Years Educator status, which is the new gold standard for early years workers.

With the ever-growing and developing early years and education sectors, there are a variety of job opportunities available within the early years and education sectors.

At Nottingham College, we have the expertise and knowledge to fully equip our students to succeed in their future careers.

We have strong links in the industry both locally and nationally, so you can rest assured that you will be on the right path to your dream job after your study with us.

There are a vast number of career options in the industry – whether you would like to be a Breakfast or After School Club Worker, Children’s Representative/Holiday Creche Worker, Early Years Practitioner (EYP), Holiday Club Supervisor, Nanny, Nursery Assistant, Specialist One-To-One Child Support Worker, Teacher (after university-level study), Teaching Assistant – there are many choices available to you.

  • The average salary for Nursery Teacher jobs is £25,714 (starter) and £36,961 (experienced)
  • As a Primary and Nursery Education Teacher you could earn £25,714 (starter) to £41,604 (experienced)

You're viewing all 3 courses

Applied Education Studies BA (Hons) Degree (Level 6) - Full-time

This new degree programme is a great option for anyone who is interested in working in the education sector but may be unsure which career route they would like to take.

Early Years Studies Foundation Degree (Level 5) - Part-time

This course is designed for people working in the early years’ sector and wish to progress to work as a senior practitioner or on to an early years’ teacher training course.

Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Foundation Degree (Level 5) - Part-time

If you’re currently working in a school in Key Stage One or Two, this course will allow you to progress your career towards Qualified Teaching Status (QTS).

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