Entry Requirements
There will be an initial assessment to assess your current Maths, English and Digital Skills. For the Early Years Skills Bootcamp, you will need to be working at Level 1 or above in Maths and English. Where identified, you will be offered information on options available to you to work towards Maths, English and/or Digital Skills qualifications. After the initial assessments, there will be an interview to discuss your prior skills and knowledge, plans for progression and your suitability for the Skills Bootcamps. You are required to have a DBS certificate when working in this sector. If you do not currently have a DBS certificate through your current employer/the update system, it is a requirement that a DBS application is submitted within 14 days of you starting the Skills Bootcamp. ACL will support you with this.

Qualification Aim/Level
The Early Years Skills Bootcamp is designed for candidates who wish to enhance their skills, knowledge and professional behaviours when working in the Early Years sector at an intermediate level. Upon successful completion of this Skills Bootcamp, learners will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Embedded into the course is a L2 Food Safety Certificate and an Introduction to Makaton certificate.

Assessment Methods
Questioning during learning sessions Quizzes Observations Online assessments Portfolio of learning Work based presentation

Who is this course for?
The Early Years Skills Bootcamp (Childminders) is for individuals who plan to start their own childminding business within 6 months of completing the course or for those who are starting out as a childminder and want to increase their knowledge and skills with the aim of increasing their contracts.

What can I expect to learn?
On this Skills Bootcamp you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in a range of areas within Early Years Education, including child development, supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities, the value of play and communication skills. You will also gain knowledge on safeguarding children, planning for and identifying risks and working in line with Ofsted requirements and the Early Years Framework. You will gain valuable skills and knowledge for working in the sector and you will be signposted to any areas of additional learning identified in your individual learning plans. There will also be dedicated business start-up sessions to develop your skills and confidence with setting up, marketing and running your own business. Employability skills will be delivered throughout the programme, starting from induction and continuing through to course completion. You will receive post-course support into your chosen progression path.

How will I learn?
The Early Years Skills Bootcamp (Childminders) sessions will run over 14 weeks with 5 hours delivery each week. Learners will have a dedicated tutor who will provide the weekly learning sessions via MS Teams. The tutor will set SMART targets and advise learners of any wider reading or learning required. Opportunities for 1:1s to review progress and plans will be available to learners. There will also be 25 hours of independent learning which will be accessed online.

How will I know how well I am doing?
A tutor will monitor progress throughout the Skills Bootcamp by assessing contributions during the learning sessions, including any evidence created during this time. The tutor will observe learning activities and provide feedback via a learning log, advising on any developmental actions that will benefit the learner and prospective employers/current employers.

How much work will there be?
There will be 60 hours of guided learning hours taught by the course tutor and approximately 25 hours of independent learning to complete. In addition to this will be approximately 10 hours focused on setting up your own business and marketing it.

What will I need for the course?
Learners will need access to a laptop/PC with MS Office software. A webcam will be required and headset with a microphone to enable you to participate with online aspects of the course. If you do not have access to this equipment, please contact us to discuss.

What can I do next?
Upon completion of this Skills Bootcamp for Childminders learners should feel ready to start their own childminding business. There are options to progress onto other courses and link into our Poppins Bursary offer to assist with funding further training, such as, paediatrics first aid, or key elements required for setting up your childminding business (subject to funding criteria). For more information, please visit Poppins Bursary - ACL Essex. Other courses you can progress onto: Level 3 Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare Our tutors and Careers and Skills Progression Advisors are available to provide further information, advice and guidance with your course progression plans or to support you with your employment plans.

Further Information
For all enquiries regarding this course please contact: skillsbootcamps@essex.gov.uk.