Childcare
New Directions College offers accredited Childcare courses from Level 1 to Level 3, fully accredited by City and Guilds.
Our learning offer is delivered via a blended teaching approach, work based and classroom based and aims to develop the knowledge and skills needed to learn about and work in supporting children’s’ care, play, learning and development in early education.
Our Childcare courses are work-based qualifications and so you will need to be employed or working voluntarily in an Early Years (Childcare) role to achieve the full qualification. You can study these qualifications independently or as part of an Apprenticeship standard.
City and Guilds work closely with industry experts and regulators including the Department for Education, employers and other key stakeholders. As a result their qualifications are highly valued by employers throughout England.
Introduction to working with children
This short course is ideal for anyone new to the childcare or education sector and interested in exploring a future working with children. You’ll gain a basic understanding of the different roles available, the responsibilities involved, and the skills needed to work in early years or school settings. It’s the perfect starting point to help you decide if a career in this rewarding field is right for you. Sessions will take place at New Directions College.
Starting:
- From Thursday 25th September 2025 to 11th December 2025, 9:30 to 12:30
- From Thursday 8th January 2026 to 26th March 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
- From Thursday 23rd April 2026 to 9th July 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
Course fee: £217*
*This course may be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
Level 1 Award in Caring for Children
This qualification is suitable for anyone wanting to gain knowledge and skills in caring for children however you must be 16 years old or over. This will allow you to learn, develop and practise the skills required for employment/or career progression in the childcare sector. This qualification is fully funded to those who are 19-24 years of age or those in receipt of universal credits.
This course will be delivered face to face at New Directions College, for half a day a week. There will be 10 taught sessions and the course will run over 13 weeks. You will also be offered one to one sessions to help and support you if necessary. You will be expected to be committed and attend all the taught sessions.
Starting:
- From Tuesday 16th September 2025 to 9th December 2025, 9:30 to 12:30
- From Tuesday 6th January 2026 to 31st March 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
- From Tuesday 21st April 2026 to 7th July 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
Course fee: £636*
*This course may be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools
This qualification prepares learners for further learning and training whilst developing an understanding of the teaching and learning environment in a school setting. It covers areas such as how to support the well-being of a child or young person and their development. This qualification is aimed at a range of learners who are thinking of working in a school setting including: young people, mature learners, learners with special educational needs or where English is an additional language.
Starting:
- From Monday 8th September 2025 to 9th December 2025, 9:30 to 12:30
- From Monday 12th January 2026 to 30th March 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
- From Monday 27th April 2026 to 6th July 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
Course fee: £600*
*This course may be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
Level 1 Award in Supporting Learning Using Art & Craft
This introductory course is ideal for anyone interested in supporting children’s learning through creative expression. You will explore how art and craft activities can be used to stimulate learning, develop key skills, and encourage imagination in educational settings. Through practical, hands-on sessions and engaging discussions, you’ll gain insight into planning and delivering simple creative activities that support children’s development.
Perfect for those considering a role in education, childcare, or community learning. No prior experience required.
Starting:
- From Monday 3rd November 2025 to 8th December 2025, 12:30 to 14:30
- From Monday 23rd February 2026 to 30th March 2026, 12:30 to 14:30
- From Monday 1st June 2026 to 6th July 2026, 12:30 to 14:30
Course fee: £252*
*This course could be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us to see if you are eligible.
Level 1 Award in Digital Skills for Working with Children
This course is designed to help you build essential digital skills that support your learning and future work in Early Years or Supporting Teaching and Learning settings. You will develop confidence in using digital tools to complete coursework, communicate effectively, and carry out tasks relevant to working in education and childcare.
Whether you’re new to digital technology or looking to boost your skills, this course will prepare you to successfully complete further training in Early Years or schools-based qualifications. Perfect for learners aiming to begin a career working with children.
Starting:
- From Monday 8th September 2025 to 22nd September 2025, 9:30 to 12:30
- From 23rd February 2026 to 30th March 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
Course fee: £19*
*This course could be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us to see if you are eligible.
Level 1 Award in Understanding How English and Maths Are Taught in Schools
This introductory course is perfect for anyone interested in working in a primary school setting or supporting a child’s learning at home. You’ll gain insight into how English and maths are taught in primary schools, exploring key methods, strategies, and curriculum expectations.
The course is ideal for parents, carers, or those considering a career in education, and will help you build confidence in supporting children’s literacy and numeracy development.
Starting:
- From Monday 29th September 2025 to 20th October 2025, 9:30 to 12:30
- From Monday 26th January 2026 to 9th February 2026, 9:30 to 12:30
Course fee: £19*
*This course could be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us to see if you are eligible.
Level 2 Diploma in Early Years Practitioner
This qualification is suitable for anyone wanting to gain knowledge and skills in caring for children however you must be 16 years old or over. This will allow you to learn, develop and practise the skills required for employment/or career progression in the childcare sector. This qualification is fully funded to those who are 19-24 years of age or those in receipt of universal credits. During this course, you will learn:
- How to communicate effectively with children in a way that makes them feel valued.
- How to maintain positive relationships and environments for children.
- Become confident using the EYFS to establish learning and plan for next steps in development.
- How to support children with additional learning needs or disabilities.
- How to plan and implement effective and holistic learning opportunities and activities with children
- Gain experience in a practical early years setting working with children under 5 years old.
- The importance of working in partnerships with parents and other professionals for the best outcomes of children.
- Safeguarding – the importance of identifying signs of abuse, reporting concerns and protecting children.
- Health and safety – creating a safe environment for children in early years and understanding childhood illness/injury.
In order to pass this course and gain full accreditation, you must be working (paid or un-paid) within a early years environment (nursery). Your Tutor will need to conduct work-based assessments to make a judgement on your occupational competence. If you would like to complete this course, but do not currently have a work placement, please speak to us.
Starting:
- From Thursday 11th September 2025 to 9th July 2026, 9:30 to 13:30
Course fee: £2,042*
*This course could be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us to see if you are eligible.
Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (Teaching Assistant)
This course is suitable for those who are already working (paid or un-paid) in a school and want a qualification that proves their skills and helps them to develop their career. To pass this course and gain full accreditation, you must be working (paid or un-paid) within a school environment.
Your Tutor will need to conduct work-based assessments to make a judgement on your occupational competence. If you would like to complete this course, but do not currently have a work placement, please contact us.
Starting:
- From Thursday 11th September 2025 to 9th July 2026, 9:30 to 13:30
- From Thursday 8th January 2026 to 9th July 2026, 9:30 to 13:30
Course fee: £1,290*
*This course could be free depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training
This qualification is for those who work, or want to work as teachers/trainers in the further education and skills sector, including those who are not in a teaching role, or who have just started a teaching role, and include Award-size qualifications for those who want a short qualification to enable them to make career choices.
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is an introduction to teaching that will give an insight into the roles, responsibilities and relationships in education and training, how to plan and deliver inclusive teaching sessions and how to assess and give constructive feedback. All sessions will take place at South Reading Community Hub.
Starting:
- From Wednesday 5th November 2025 to 11th February 2026, 10:00 to 14:00
Course fee: £636*
*This course could be free depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Practitioner
This accredited course is designed for those who are ready to pursue a professional career in an early year setting. It equips learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to work directly with children and to be included in staff: child ratios. The qualification meets the full Department for Education (DfE) Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria and aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
Through a blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience, learners will develop a deep understanding of child development, safeguarding, supporting play and learning, and effective communication with children and families. Upon successful completion, learners will be fully qualified to work as
Early Years Practitioners in a range of settings.
Starting:
- From Monday 22nd September 2025 to 7th July 2026, 9:30 to 14:30
Course fee: £3659*
*This course could be free depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
Charges for checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
If a fully funded learner needs a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to participate in learning, we will not charge them for this. If the learning is associated with the learner’s employment, their employer is responsible for carrying out and paying for this check.
Learners on courses that are not fully funded, including courses that are only co-funded, will have to pay a fee. This fee will include the levied charge for the check from the DBS service and a standard administration fee of £5 per check. Please contact us to discuss this further.