PACEY – The home of high quality training for childcare and early years professionals
PACEY is passionate
about raising standards giving high quality training to all providers
Our pre-registration training has supported thousands looking to join the childminding profession
Our safeguarding and first aid training is vital to supporting providers and keeping children safe
Our bite-sized training courses are perfect for time constrained providers
At PACEY, we’re known for the quality of the training that we provide, and how we support aspiring childcare professionals to gain the qualifications they need to get their dream job in childcare and early years.
Training from PACEY
We have a range of training courses to suit every learning from short 15 minute bite-sized courses to longer more in depth training sessions. From FREE training for members to accredited Safeguarding children training. Plus much more. Choos from below to see how our training can support you.
Bite-sized CPD
Online training, offering short, 10-20 minute courses that can be done on any device, at any time. It also provides practical help and expert advice to practitioners.
Pre-registration
Our pre-registration training courses are written by childcare experts, so you can be sure of covering all the areas you need to start a successful home-based childcare business.
Safeguarding
Our Safeguarding children course has been reviewed and endorsed by Cache. If you work with children, you have a responsibility to help to protect them.
Food Hygiene
Our Food safety and hygiene course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Public Health ensuring that the course meets specific learning objectives.
Health & Safety
First aid courses designed for childcare professionals as well as health and safety products to support providers in their settings.
Wales Training
If you live and work in Wales, you’ll be registered by the CIW, and work within frameworks and regulations specific to Wales
Childcare and early years qualifications
So, you’ve decided you would love a career in working in childcare and early years, helping to give children the best start in life. What’s next? It can be daunting knowing what qualifications you’ll need and the right course for you. PACEY is here to support. Below we’ve broken down the different levels that are possible in childcare, which ones you’ll need for which role and a qualifications pathway to help you get there. Then you just have to choose the right course for you!
Find our what qualifications you need for the career you want
| Level | Example Job Roles | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 – for front line practitioners | Nursery Assistant Pre-school Assistant Playgroup Assistant Nanny | Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (England) Level 2 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development (Wales) |
| Level 3 – for front line practitioners with experience or working at a supervisory level | Nursery Supervisor Nursery Nurse Pre-School Leader Deputy Manager Playgroup Leader Childminder Nanny | Level 3 Early Years Educator (England) Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development (Wales) |
| Level 4/5 – For experienced practitioners with responsibility for planning and delivery of services | Nursery Manager Nursery Nurse Area Manager Nursery Owners Childminder Nanny | Early Years Foundation Degree Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Children's Care, Play Learning and Development (Wales) Level 4 Professional Practice in Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development (Wales) Level 5 Leadership and Management of Children's Care, Play Learning and Development (Wales) |
| Level 6 – Graduate / Degree Qualifications – For practitioners in senior positions, lead/professional roles | Nursery Manager Nursery Nurse Area Manager Nursery Owners Local Authority Worker Childminder | Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) Degree Qualified Teachers Status in Early Years (England) |
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Now choose the right course for you…
So, you’ve decided you would love a career in working in childcare and early years, helping to give children the best start in life. Whats next? It can be daunting knowing what qualifications you’ll need and the right course for you. PACEY is here to support. Below we’ve broken down the different levels that are possible in childcare, which ones you’ll need for which role and a qualifications pathway to help you get there. Then you just have to choose the right course for you!
Level 2 Qualifications
Level 3 Qualifications
Level 4 Qualifications
Level 5 Qualifications
Level 2 Qualifications
Level 3 Qualifications
Level 4 Qualifications
Level 5 Qualifications
What can I study?
Level 2
Level 2: Early Years Practitioner Diploma
This Level 2 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work in a childcare setting under the supervision of an Early Years Educator. It is suitable for nursery and childminding assistants.
Level 3
Level 3: Early Years Educator Diploma
This Level 3 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work in a childcare setting, with the opportunity to take responsibility for leading childcare provision.
It is suitable for experienced childcare assistants and those wishing to become room leaders or manage childcare provision. At the end of this training programme, you will also be awarded a Level 3 TQUK Early Years Educator Diploma.
Level 3
Level 3: Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
This Level 3 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to support children, young people and teachers in educational establishments. It is suitable for those taking their first steps into a teaching assistant career, or those looking to enter qualified teaching through a vocational route.
Level 2
Level 2: Early Years Practitioner Diploma
This Level 2 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work in a childcare setting under the supervision of an Early Years Educator. It is suitable for nursery and childminding assistants.
Level 3
Level 3: Home based childcare award (HBCA)
Our Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home-based Childcare (HBCA) is the most comprehensive qualification to help you cover everything you need to begin a career in home-based childcare as a childminder or nanny in England.
Level 3
Level 3: Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
This Level 3 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to support children, young people and teachers in educational establishments. It is suitable for those taking their first steps into a teaching assistant career, or those looking to enter qualified teaching through a vocational route.
Level 3
Level 3: Early Years Educator Diploma
This Level 3 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work in a childcare setting, with the opportunity to take responsibility for leading childcare provision. It is suitable for experienced childcare assistants and those wishing to become room leaders or manage childcare provision. At the end of this training programme, you will also be awarded a Level 3 TQUK Early Years Educator Diploma.
Level 4
Level 4: Children, Young People and Families Practitioner
This Level 4 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work with children, young people and families to achieve positive outcomes and sustainable change in their everyday lives.
There are two pathways available with this programme (community and residential), and the content depends on the pathway taken.
Level 5
Level 5: Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship
This programme will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of early years practitioners to be proactive and influential.
The learner will be working in a senior role such as Room Leader, Early Years Lead, Deputy Manager or Manager. Undertaking this apprenticeship will develop the practitioner’s ability to reflect and build on practice through on-going professional enquiry and action led research.
The lead practitioner will develop their reflection skills to improve pedagogical practice and initiate personal and team continuous professional development in response to strengths and weaknesses.
Level 3
Level 3: Early Years Educator Diploma
This Level 3 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work in a childcare setting, with the opportunity to take responsibility for leading childcare provision. It is suitable for experienced childcare assistants and those wishing to become room leaders or manage childcare provision. At the end of this training programme, you will also be awarded a Level 3 TQUK Early Years Educator Diploma.
Level 4
Level 4: Children, Young People and Families Practitioner
This Level 4 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work with children, young people and families to achieve positive outcomes and sustainable change in their everyday lives.
There are two pathways available with this programme (community and residential), and the content depends on the pathway taken.
Level 5
Level 5: Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship
This programme will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of early years practitioners to be proactive and influential.
The learner will be working in a senior role such as Room Leader, Early Years Lead, Deputy Manager or Manager. Undertaking this apprenticeship will develop the practitioner’s ability to reflect and build on practice through on-going professional enquiry and action led research.
The lead practitioner will develop their reflection skills to improve pedagogical practice and initiate personal and team continuous professional development in response to strengths and weaknesses.
Level 5
Level 5: Children, Young People & Families Manager
This Level 5 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to manage others in working with children, young people and families to achieve positive outcomes and sustainable change in their everyday lives. It is suitable for deputy managers and managers.
Level 5
Level 5: Children, Young People & Families Manager
This Level 5 apprenticeship training programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to manage others in working with children, young people and families to achieve positive outcomes and sustainable change in their everyday lives. It is suitable for deputy managers and managers.
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