Courses to work in schools, education or childcare 

Our free courses * can help you get ahead if you’re looking to work in a school, college or childcare provider. From exploring different jobs working with children to getting the job you want, we’ve got you covered. We have government-funded online courses for teaching assistants and nursery courses.  

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Working with children and young people

Find out about the wide range of jobs available in schools and build the skills you need to kickstart your career. Working in schools can be very rewarding. From lunchtime supervisors to teaching assistants, you’ll have a positive impact on young people’s lives.  

From helping out in schools to paid work

These courses are useful if you are volunteering or plan to work in education, as they help you gain more knowledge. We do a range of courses from short tasters to a free Level two teaching assistant qualification. 

Start a career in childcare

Explore work in childcare and discover the range of roles you can do in a childcare setting. Learn about early years education and what it is like to work with children. Find courses near you or look at our range of online childcare courses.  

Give yourself a boost

Build skills for childcare and schools. Develop your knowledge of special education needs (SEN), so you can support children with autism in education. Give yourself a boost when looking for dinner lady jobs or other jobs in a school.  

Jobseekers, career changers, and those already working in schools or nurseries - find your course today to build your skills. 

*Over 90% of applicants for skills courses do not need to pay a fee. Subject to status - courses are free for unemployed people, job seekers and people on low wage. If you do not qualify you will be alerted during the application process.

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Schools, Parenting and Child Development: SWAP Introduction to support work in schools

Would you like to help children gain confidence in their reading as well as English and maths? Then this may be the course for you. You will learn a range of strategies to help children in schools or your own children at home to become more confident in their ability. This course is ideal for anyone looking to progress onto work or volunteering in an education setting. Join us online for this 4 week course to find out support work in schools.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/01/2024 -
Wed 07/02/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
8 sessions
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00012825
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Introducing Caring for Children & Young People Level 1

In 2003, the Government published the "Every Child Matters Policy", so that every child from birth to 19 years, whatever their background or their circumstances, would have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic wellbeing. This policy, alongside Early Years Foundation Stage, provides the guiding principles for this early years and pre-school settings course.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/01/2024 -
Mon 20/05/2024
Times:
9:15am - 11:15am
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Thornhill Primary
Clough Bank
Rotherham
S61 1TD
Tutor:
Julie Berg
Course code:
Q00012570
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: SWAP Introduction to Helping in Schools Level 1

This short course is designed to equip students with the core knowledge, skills and understanding to become a teaching assistant or parent helper in schools and provide information on meeting schools’ requirements. The course will identify ways children develop, through play, how to support children’s development in literacy, maths, and encourage children’s social, emotional and behavioural development. By the end of the course you will be able to describe the skills and qualities required to effectively support teaching and learning and identify school’s requirements and procedures for becoming a teaching assistant or volunteer.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 16/01/2024 -
Tue 13/02/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Charles Burrell Centre
Staniforth Road
Thetford
IP24 3EA
Tutor:
Laura Howsen
Course code:
Q00012686
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People Level 2

f you enjoy working with children and young people, this childcare course can help you learn employability skills to work in this area. Get skills for your CV and gain confidence providing care for children in various settings. This course covers a range of childcare situations. You can study childcare and education, babysitting, or parenting responsibilities. It can help you decide if a career in child care is right for you. This is the ideal course for you if you want to turn a babysitting side job into a career. It’s also helpful for new parents getting to grips with parenting.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/01/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
9:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
40 sessions
Location:
Whiston Worrygoose Primary School
Hall Close Avenue
Whiston
Rotherham
S60 4AG
Tutor:
Julie Berg
Course code:
Q00013164
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Introduction to Paediatric First Aid

Do you help at a school or youth centre? If you volunteer in a setting with children, it’s important to understand basic paediatric first aid. This introduction to paediatric first aid course gives you an insight into some of the essential life-saving skills that can make all the difference in an emergency. This course is ideal if you want to learn the theory behind first aid for children, toddlers and babies which would be useful in a variety of settings, including sports halls, community hubs, and youth centres as well as an insight for new parents. Please be aware this course only courses the online theory behind paediatric first aid such as burns, poisoning, anaphylaxis, eye injuries and effects of electric shocks. This course would be a great introduction to first aid before you go on to complete a full course.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 22/01/2024 -
Mon 22/01/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Zoe Shelley
Course code:
Q00009504
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges Level 2

If you enjoy the buzz of learning environments, this qualification can teach you key skills for employment in a school or college. This government-funded course prepares you for a variety of roles. It provides the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in admin, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. Studying support work in schools at level 2 can be a first step towards working with kids in teaching positions. It also provides you with the qualifications needed to work in admin at schools. No matter what role you’re interested in, this course can teach you skills for employability in schools and colleges.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 22/01/2024 -
Fri 26/04/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
33 sessions
Tutor:
Suzanne Locke
Course code:
Q00013048
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges Level 2

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority If you enjoy the buzz of learning environments, this qualification can teach you key skills for employment in a school or college. This government-funded course prepares you for a variety of roles. It provides the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in admin, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. Studying support work in schools at level 2 can be a first step towards working with kids in teaching positions. It also provides you with the qualifications needed to work in admin at schools. No matter what role you’re interested in, this course can teach you skills for employability in schools and colleges.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 23/01/2024 -
Tue 04/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00010863
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Level 2 Step into Child Development and Well Being

Level 2 Step into Child Development and Well-Being is ideal for those wanting to work with children from birth to age five. These topics cover basic skills you need to know about the development and care of younger children and are ideal for those thinking or preparing to work in early years settings such as nurseries and preschools, as well as those looking to become a childminder or nanny.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 24/01/2024 -
Wed 24/04/2024
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
St Matthews Neighbourhood Cntr (Library)
10 Malabar Road
Leicester
LE1 2PD
Tutor:
Chantal Ngounou
Course code:
Q00012702
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Employability for Schools

In this course you will learn about the responsibilities and expectations required of school staff as well as understand employment options available. This will enable you to make informed choices about the work experience and longer term schools based employment options available to you. You will also learn about the behaviour and responsibilities expected of school staff. Schools benefit from a variety of different staff that support the learning and welfare of pupils. In addition to the main teacher in each classroom, there are many other jobs inside and outside of lessons that contribute to how a school runs and how pupils learn. These jobs are typically called support roles, and make up half of the workforce in schools.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 29/01/2024 -
Wed 31/01/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Andrew Read
Course code:
Q00011604
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: School Systems in the UK

In the United Kingdom, school systems consists mainly of primary and secondary schools. There are state-funded schools for everyone and special schools for children with special needs (SEND). Independent schools are private schools where parents pay for education. Primary schools teach kids aged 4 to 11, secondary schools educate those aged 11 to 16. At 18, after two years at college, they take A-levels for university entry. Teachers guide students' learning throughout these stages. In this course you will learn about school systems in the UK and how this will help you find work in a school.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 29/01/2024 -
Wed 31/01/2024
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Matthew Burrows
Course code:
Q00011507
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80