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Early years and education

Our full-time courses in early years and education provide the perfect foundation for a career in childcare, which can lead to rewarding careers in early years, primary teaching or social work.

Early years and education courses


Why choose early years and education at West Notts?

Teachers with industry experience

As an early years and education student you’ll be taught by experienced staff who are happy to share a wealth of practical knowledge with you, ensuring you are fully-equipped to deal with almost anything!

Get crafty and creative!

Lessons in early years and education aren’t all work and no play. You are encouraged to develop creative activities and learning games to support the development of young children within a nursery setting.

Work placements

You will also have the chance to learn in real-life working environments, including our early years environment room. Our links with local employers, industry experts, and with NTU Mansfield, means that you’ll have access wide variety of opportunities for work placements, as well as for future employment and further study.

Be part of the 'Learning Company'

We have some great ideas for learning companies across the college, which are designed to bring out your entrepreneurial skills, working with real customers and learning some great business skills. Business ideas for our childcare students are:

  • Working with nurseries and primary schools to create resources to support the development of literacy skills and language acquisition for young children through the creation of a range of story sacks and literacy resources. The story sacks will be an excellent way to create and sustain an interest in books. Children enjoy fun and interactive activities, and this is a perfect way to allow children to be more hands on during story time, stimulating their minds and imagination by bringing stories to life.
  • Students will bid to take part in a project to raise money and provide support for children’s charities. Students will present their chosen charity and business activities that will enable them to support this, and how they will drive the project to success. Six charities will be chosen and each will have a project leader with additional team roles. Students presenting for charities that do not have viable ideas will join one of the chosen six charities. Students will need to raise any funds to start their project through innovative ideas. This will also involve employing level 1 and level 2 learners to support the project

Career Opportunities


Guided Campus Tour

Get a glimpse into the facilities you will be using as an early years and education student at West Notts College.


What our students say

Kia shares his experiences from the past year studying childcare with us. In our on-site nursery, he touches on things such as what kind of topics you will study, as well as guest speakers, college trips and some key experience he’s gained.


Gallery

Early years and education news and press

  • College celebrates ‘Good’ Ofsted result

    Staff and students at West Nottinghamshire College are celebrating following the publication of its latest Ofsted inspection report – which has graded it ‘good’ with areas of outstanding provision, and that makes a strong contribution to meeting its area’s skills needs.

    Posted: 07/06/2023
  • College showcases its work to Shadow Education Secretary

    Students and staff at West Nottinghamshire College showcased its work to provide high-quality education, training and career pathways when Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP visited its campuses.

    Posted: 25/04/2023
  • Students achieve their goal at football ground

    West Nottinghamshire College’s early years students have joined the crowds at Mansfield’s One Call stadium with a fundraising mission in mind.

    Posted: 22/02/2023

Course progression
routes at West Notts

Childcare and early years education
ENTRY LEVELLEVEL 1LEVEL 2LEVEL 3UNI LEVEL
Getting to college Financial support How to apply Course guides

Why choose West Notts?

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96.2% A Level pass rate in 2022.

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One of the top colleges in the UK for student satisfaction.**Learner Exit Survey 2019/20

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We offer a flexible and cost-effective travel pass to all students and apprentices.

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We have four campuses each boasting a number of state-of-the-art facilities.

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