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 8th September 2026 to 8th December 2026
- From 9th September 2026 to 9th December 2026
- From 11th September 2026 to 11th December 2026
Course fee: £175*
*This course may be free of charge depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
This course introduces learners to SEN, inclusion and effective ways of supporting children and young people with SEND. This course is for parents and carers, teaching assistants, volunteers, learners interested in education or childcare, and anyone wishing to better support children with SEN. At the end of this course, learners will:
- Understand SEN and Inclusion
- Understand types of SEN
- Have knowledge of inclusive classroom practice
- Understand communication and support strategies
- Promote independence and positive outcomes
- Be able to work with families and professionals
- Understand best practice in supporting children with SEN.
Starting:
- From 28th September 2026 to 7th December 2026
- From 2nd October 2026 to 11th December 2026
Course fee: £139*
*Please note this course is free to eligible learners
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
This course is designed to help learners take their first steps towards further study or employment in education-related settings. It is designed for adults who are interested in exploring opportunities to work in schools and educational settings.
You will develop the knowledge, skills, language, and confidence needed to understand the role of school staff, communicate professionally, support children’s learning, and prepare for further study or employment in education. The course also includes opportunities to develop digital skills, teamwork, and professional behaviours.
Learning will take place through discussions, practical activities, group work, research, and reflection. There is no exam. Progress will be assessed through a range of informal activities and participation during the course.
At the end of this course you will:
- Have a better understanding of working in a school environment
- Develop professional communication and teamwork skills
- Gain confidence in supporting children’s learning and inclusion
- Improve your English and digital skills for educational settings
Starting:
- From 7th September 2026 to 19th October 2026
- From 8th September 2026 to 20th October 2026
- From 9th September 2026 to 21st October 2026
Course fee: £103*
*Please note this course is free for eligible learners
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
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 5th January 2027 to 25th May 2027
- From 6th January 2027 to 26th May 2027
Course fee: £608*
*Please note this course is free for eligible learners
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
This tailored learning course is designed for adults who would like to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to work in schools and educational settings. Learners will explore child development, safeguarding, inclusion, communication, behaviour support, and classroom practice while building employability skills, study skills, and professional behaviours.
Practical and written activities help learners prepare for work experience, volunteering, further learning, and employment opportunities.
By the end of the course, you will have developed a stronger understanding of supporting children and young people in educational settings, improved your communication and employability skills, and increased your confidence in preparing for volunteering, work experience, or employment. You will also create practical evidence of your learning through a range of activities and projects.
No previous qualifications or experience are required. Learners should have a reasonable level of spoken and written English and be interested in working with children and young people.
Starting:
- From 22nd February 2027 to 15th March 2027
- From 23rd February 2027 to 16th March 2027
- From 24th February 2027 to 17th March 2027
Course fee: £226*
From 22nd February 2027 to 15th March 2027From 23rd February 2027 to 16th March 2027From 24th February 2027 to 17th March 2027
*Please note this course is free to eligible learners
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
This course provides a nationally recognised Level 1 qualification for adults who are interested in working in a school environment. You will develop knowledge of how schools operate, how to support children’s health, safety and wellbeing, and how to communicate effectively with children, young people and adults.
The course is designed to prepare learners for support roles within schools and to build confidence for future employment or further study.
Starting:
- From 7th September 2026 to 19th October 2026
- From 8th September 2026 to 20th October 2026
- From 9th September 2026 to 21st October 2026
*Please note this course is free to eligible learners
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
This course supports learners to progress from Level 1 or introductory study onto a Level 2 Early Years qualification. It develops knowledge of child development, safeguarding and play, while building confidence, study skills, and professional behaviours. Assessment through practical and written activities supports accurate placement and prepares learners for work experience, employment expectations, and success at Level 2.
Starting:
- From 8th June 2027 to 29th June 2027
- From 9th June 2027 to 30th June 2027
Course fee: £226*
*Please note this course is free to eligible learners
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
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 8th September 2026 to 6th July 2027
- From 10th September 2026 to 8th July 2027
Course fee: £2,174*
*Please note this course is free to eligible learners
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
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 7th September 2026 to 3rd July 2028
Course fee: £3659*
*To be eligible for full funding through the Level 3 Legal Entitlement offer via AS funding, learners must be aged between 19 and 23 years old, and this must be their first Level 3 qualification. All other learners must pay the non-funded fee. Learners aged 19 to 23, above the earnings threshold with a previous Level 3 qualification, can apply for a learner loan.
To find out more about the course and to register, please contact newdirections@reading.gov.uk Tel.: 0345 842 0012
New Directions College offers a varied range of accredited and no accredited courses in Childcare, Early Years, Education and Training.
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.
We also offer a range of qualifications in Teaching, Learning and Development and Learning support. The qualifications include the sub areas such as, Assessor and Quality Assurance, Education and Training and Learning Support.
Assessment Practice
Our Level 3 courses provide a pathway for you to understand assessment and if required, qualify as an assessor. You could be assessing competence or non-competence based learning, knowledge or skills. You will select the units and qualifications that meet the requirements of what you are assessing.
These courses are delivered through blended learning, including use of our virtual learning environment and e-portfolio system, attending online classes and workshops and also having direct 1:1 observations with your Tutor.