Skills Bootcamp in Early Years

COURSE

A Government-funded, Level 3 Programme

The Skills Bootcamp in Early Years is a Government funded, Level 3 programme designed to equip adult learners with the essential knowledge and skills required to begin a career in the childcare sector.

Learners benefit from optional work experience placements in local nurseries and a fast-track interview process at the end of the course, including opportunities for apprenticeship roles with placement providers.

This comprehensive programme includes Paediatric First Aid, delivered in person—an essential requirement for those wishing to be counted in ratio. The course prepares learners for real-world scenarios in early years settings and lays a strong foundation for career progression.

The Skills Bootcamp blends live virtual classrooms with in-person support, creating an engaging, practical learning experience led by experienced early years educators.

It also features face-to-face employability workshops, including CV writing, interview techniques, and mock interviews delivered by a professional recruiter from Worldwide Education Recruitment.

Please note: This course does not provide a licence to practise at Level 3. However, it builds the knowledge and confidence needed to progress quickly into a Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, where learners can earn while they work towards gaining their full licence to practise. The programme includes a fast-track interview with local nurseries for apprenticeship positions.

All Upcoming Dates

Skills Bootcamp in Early Years

Qualification Overview

The Skills Bootcamp in Early Years is designed to fast-track learners into employment and apprenticeships within the childcare sector. Learners develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work confidently within modern Early Years settings, while gaining industry-recognised first aid training and practical workplace skills.

The curriculum aligns with the revised Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard and maps to relevant Early Years Level 3 Diploma learning outcomes. The programme also includes Awareness of Anaphylaxis training, highly valued by employers due to the increasing numbers of children requiring allergy management plans and staff confidence in responding to allergic reactions.

Course Content

Module	GLH
Introduction to the Role of the Early Years Educator	18
Holistic Child Development	36
Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements	62
Health, Wellbeing and Safety	18
FAA Level 3 Paediatric First Aid	16
Awareness of Anaphylaxis	6
Employability Skills Workshops	18
Total Guided Learning Hours	174

FUNDING CRITERIA

Funded by local Councils and supported by the DWP, this Skills Bootcamp is completely free for eligible learners and offers a clear route into employment or further training in the Early Years sector.

Please contact the office to enquire about funding available in your area.

Individuals

Learners must be aged 19 or older on the first day of training.
Must have Right to Work in the UK
Must meet residency requirements
Have not undertaken another Skills Bootcamp in the last 12 months
Can be unemployed, self-employed or employed (if employed must confirm that they are willing to take the guaranteed interview and intend to change career)

Self-Employed

Learners must be aged 19 or older on the first day of training.
Must have Right to Work in the UK
Must meet residency requirements
Have not undertaken another Skills Bootcamp in the last 12 months
Self-Employed learners must confirm how they will utilise the Skills Bootcamp to develop their business or change to a new role

Employed (co-funded)

Learners must be aged 19 or older on the first day of training.
Must have Right to Work in the UK
Must meet residency requirements
Have not undertaken another Skills Bootcamp in the last 12 months
Employers must be based within the Region funding the programme and must contribute to the costs of the training (10% for SME, 30% for larger companies)
Employers must confirm that the intended outcome for their staff is the progression to a new job role within their company or enhance their existing role with additional responsibilities

Progression opportunities

Learners can progress into a Level 3 Apprenticeship or directly into employment.

The programme includes a fast-track interview process for local nursery positions, enabling learners to quickly transition from training to apprenticeships and employment.

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

Qualification Reference Number (QRN)

N/A

Total qualification time (TQT):

10 weeks

Guided learning hours (GLH)

174

Accreditation

- Bespoke programme
- First Aid elements accredited by FAA Nuco

Mode of Delivery

Blended

Entry requirements:

– Aged 19+
– Level 2 English or equivalent
– Have Right to Work in UK

Mandatory Units

4 knowledge only units
5 practical training elements

Assessment

Portfolio of Evidence
Practical Demonstration

Real Work Environment (RWE)

Placement is not mandatory, however learners are encouraged to volunteer 1 day per week

COURSE