Early Years and Education

Early Years and Education

Early Years and Education courses

A career in early years and education will allow you to support children, young people and adults in their education journey. You will have a significant and positive impact on their learning and development – helping them to reach their full potential. Our programme of early years and education courses each offer something different. You can choose from a range of age groups and teaching environments such as classrooms, schools, or colleges. Studying a course in this area will help build your knowledge of one of the most enriching and rewarding sectors, but also gain employment in such a diverse area where you can make a difference to someone’s life.

The next intake for our Early Years and Education courses (except for Level 3 Education and Training Adults) is September 2024 - you will be able to register your interest shortly.

My confidence and knowledge are much stronger than before I started the Teaching Assistant course. I now feel confident enough to be working.

Elzbieta

How will I be taught?

We have a wide range of delivery models for our early years and education courses. Some of these include classroom-based learning, online lessons, independent online study and sector-related work placements.

You will need a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC and a good internet connection to join the online sessions and/or access learning materials and resources between sessions. You will need access to a laptop or PC to complete assignments throughout the course.

Don’t worry if this is a new way of learning for you – our tutors will explain how online learning works and support you to do this. We also host Skill Up drop in workshops where you can brush up on your digital skills to help support your learning. 

Two students studying together
A woman and man sat in a classroom reading a book together

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary for each of our courses and before you start you will be assessed to ensure you join the right level course for you. 

You will be able to find more information about the requirements needed for your chosen course by contacting our support team on 0161 291 6733, dropping into your local adult learning centre or emailing us at maes.info@manchester.gov.uk.

Early years and Education Courses

Select the course that you are interested in from the list below to find out more.

On this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to support children and young people in their schools.

Designed to stimulate interest in early years education, this course is ideal if you’re thinking of working in childcare. You will be encouraged to learn the skills and knowledge needed to care for young children.

The next intake for this course is September 2024. Please enquire if you would like to apply to join this course. 

Through studying the Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to work, or volunteer, in a school or college setting.

 

With this course you can expect to learn about children and young people’s development. You will develop the skills and knowledge to support those with disabilities or special educational needs in a college, primary/secondary or special needs school.

Gain the understanding and skills that a level 2 early years practitioner needs to demonstrate to be considered qualified to support young children from birth to 5 years old. You must be in paid or voluntary work to undertake this qualification to enable assessment to take place.

The next intake for this course is September 2024. Please enquire if you would like to apply to join this course. 

On this course, you will develop skills, knowledge and understanding to enable you to work in the following roles: teaching assistant, classroom assistant, learning support assistant, additional needs assistant, pastoral/welfare support assistant, bilingual support assistant or foundation stage assistant.

You must be in paid or voluntary work to enable assessment to take place in the workplace.                          

The next intake for this course is September 2024. Please enquire if you would like to apply to join this course. 

This course is an introductory qualification ideal for people who would like to work or volunteer as teachers, tutors and trainers in adult and community learning, further education and/or work-based training.

  • Start date(s): April
  • Duration: 12-16 weeks (depends on start date)
  • Location(s): Abraham Moss and Greenheys
  • Day: Tuesday (Greenheys), Friday (Abraham Moss)
  • Time: 4:00pm-8:00pm (Greenheys), 9:30am-1:30pm (Abraham Moss)

View more details about Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

Alongside equipping you with the skills, knowledge and competence to work within the further or adult and community sector, this course will also help you to learn all how to plan, create, deliver and assess courses and lessons in your chosen area of speciality. 

To do this course, you will need to do a teaching placement for at least 30 hours in your chosen subject area – this can be either paid or voluntary. You will also need to choose a subject specialism.  

Help and support

You will find a range of support on offer when you study with MAES. From our friendly and enthusiastic business support team located in our learning centres to our well-qualified and committed tutors. 

We are also home to Make it Happen – a service run by our dedicated Careers and Progression team who will provide expert knowledge and personalised support to prepare you for the next stage in your career. Find out more below.