Skills bootcamp in early years

COURSE

The Skills Bootcamp in Early Years is a fully funded, 16-week 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.

Funded by Buckinghamshire Council and supported by the Department for Education, 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 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 Courses

No upcoming courses. Please contact us for more information.

Qualification Overview

The programme covers a range of units, focusing on understanding the role of the Early Years Educator, holistic child development, safeguarding and prevent.

The content aligns with the knowledge in the revised Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard and unit/learning outcome criteria in the Early Years Educator level 3 diploma.

The knowledge and understanding acquired during the 16-week Skills Bootcamp can be built on in their learning journey as they progress into an apprenticeship.

FUNDING CRITERIA

This is a DfE funded programme and it’s free for all learners who meet the following criteria:

Aged 19+
Resident of Buckinghamshire
Have Right to Work in UK
Hasn’t completed another skills bootcamp within the last 12 months

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.

Qualification Reference Number (QRN)

N/A

Total qualification time (TQT):

16 weeks

Guided learning hours (GLH)

174

Accreditation

Nuco

Mode of Delivery

Blended

Entry requirements:

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

Mandatory Units

Introduction to the role of the early years educator	18 GLH
Holistic child development	36 GLH
Safeguarding and welfare requirements	62 GLH
Health, wellbeing and safety	18 GLH
FAA L3 Paediatric First Aid	16 GLH
Awareness of Anaphylaxis	6 GLH
Employability skills workshop (CV writing, interview tips, mock interviews, vetting checks workshop with employer)	18 GLH
TOTAL	174 GLH