Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner
The ideal starting point for anyone entering the early years sector. This entry-level qualification gives you the foundational knowledge and practical skills to work confidently with babies and young children aged 0–5 in nursery and childcare settings.
14
Units
37
Credits
Portfolio
Assessment
In person
Observation
16+
Minimum age
What you'll study
This unit provides the learner with an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of the Early Years Practitioner.
Unit ref R/617/2630 · Level 2
This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills development to support the health and safety of children from birth to seven years.
Unit ref Y/617/2631 · Level 2
This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support equality, diversity and inclusive practice in Early Years Settings.
Unit ref D/617/2632 · Level 2
This unit provides the knowledge and understanding required to support the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children from birth to seven years.
Unit ref H/617/2633 · Level 2
This unit aims to develop knowledge and understanding of children's development from birth to seven years of age.
Unit ref K/617/2634 · Level 2
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to support care routines for babies and young children. All care routines should be discussed with parents/carers to ensure consistency of care.
Unit ref M/617/2635 · Level 2
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to support the planning and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes.
Unit ref T/617/2636 · Level 2
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to promote play in an Early Years Setting.
Unit ref A/617/2637 · Level 2
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to support well-being of babies and young children for healthy lifestyles.
Unit ref F/617/2638 · Level 2
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to support babies and young children to be physically active.
Unit ref J/617/2639 · Level 2
The aim of this unit is to extend practitioners' knowledge, understanding and skills for best practice supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) in the early years. This unit also meets Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for SEND at Level 2.
Unit ref L/617/1993 · Level 2
This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to promote positive behaviour in Early Years Settings.
Unit ref F/617/2641 · Level 2
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge to understand how to work in partnership in the early years.
Unit ref J/617/2642 · Level 2
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support children during transition to school.
Unit ref L/617/2643 · Level 2
Total: 37 credits across 14 units
Unit details taken from the NCFE CACHE qualification specification v2.0 (May 2023). Check the latest version on the NCFE website
Assessment & Requirements
How you'll be assessed
Portfolio of evidence and work-based learning
Teaching methods
Online personal tutoring & face-to-face observation
Placement hours
You'll need to be working, volunteering or on placement in an early years setting. NCFE recommends 250 placement hours while you study.
Who this is for
Working with babies and young children in early years settings
Career Outcomes
With this qualification you'll be eligible for roles including:
Nursery Assistant
£20,000–£22,000
per year
Early Years Practitioner
£20,000–£23,000
per year
Childminder's Assistant
£19,000–£21,000
per year
Career Ladder
See where this qualification fits in your career journey.
Level 2
Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner
as Nursery Assistant, Early Years Practitioner, Childminder's Assistant
Level 3
Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)as Early Years Educator, Room Leader, Key Person
Level 5
Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Servicesas Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, Children's Services Manager
What's included
Everything included, whichever pace you choose
Every course comes with full assessor support, materials, and a money-back guarantee — no matter your pace. Choose Fast Track and you also get quicker feedback turnaround, priority support, and flexible pacing.
Fees & Payments
However you'd rather pay
Pay in full, or spread the cost across 12 months — whichever suits you best. No interest, no credit check, and every session with your assessor is included.
September Sale — prices below end 28 September
£749 £829
Pay in full
£69.33/mo £76
for 12 months
£128
Registration fee
14 days
Money back guarantee
- No interest and no credit check, whichever way you pay.
- The registration fee is paid directly to NCFE, not to us — it's included in the total above.
- All support sessions with your assessor are included — no extra charge.
- Your course includes in-person observation. There's no travel fee if you're under 2 hours from London Paddington (one way); beyond that it's £100–£250 per visit, added to your first payment. See how fees work →
- Not sure? You have a full 14-day money-back guarantee from the date of enrolment, no questions asked. See our refund policy →
- Need longer than the standard duration? Extensions are available at an additional cost. Learn more in our Terms & Conditions →
Work out your price
1. Choose your pace
2. Choose how you'd like to pay
3. How far are you from London Paddington?
Your assessor visits you in person. Work out the one-way journey by public transport, travelling in the daytime (10am–4pm). Journeys under 2 hours carry no travel fee. Check your shortest journey on Google Maps →
4. Your price
Ready to get started?
Apply in 4 minutes — your qualification starts here.
14-day risk-free guarantee. Full refund if it's not right for you.