Level 1 in Early Years

Hull College

Queen's Gardens, Wilberforce Drive, Hull, HU1 3DG

Functional Skill

Level 1

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Hull College

1 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Course Summary

The Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings course is your first step into a rewarding, people-focused career. This course matters because it opens the door to some of the most meaningful professions, where you support, nurture, and make a real difference in the lives of others.

Throughout the programme, you’ll explore what it’s like to work across healthcare, social care, and early years settings, helping you build a strong foundation of knowledge and confidence. You’ll develop an understanding of different care environments and the roles within them, while strengthening your communication and teamwork skills. You’ll also learn how to keep children, young people, and vulnerable adults safe, alongside exploring human growth, development, and wellbeing. Equality, diversity, and inclusive practice are key themes throughout the course, as well as the professional values and expectations required in the care sector.

What makes this course especially engaging is the hands-on experience you’ll gain. With access to an onsite nursery and a purpose-built nursery room designed specifically for practical learning, you’ll have the opportunity to practise real skills, observe early years routines, and build your confidence in a supportive, professional environment.

By the end of the course, you’ll have developed essential skills such as effective communication, safeguarding awareness, teamwork, and practical care skills. You’ll also gain a clear understanding of the progression pathways available to you, whether you choose to move on to Level 2 study or begin shaping your future career in health, social care, or early years.

Course Details

Course Highlights:

Access to a wide range of practical learning opportunities to support your development and confidence
Use of an onsite nursery to observe real practice and apply your learning in a professional early years environment
Experience in a purpose-built nursery room, where you’ll plan, set up, and deliver engaging activities for young children
A Forest School trip to bring outdoor learning to life and explore the value of play in natural settings
Completion of 30 hours of work-related activity to gain valuable real-world experience
Hands-on practical sessions designed to build your skills and confidence step by step

Course Units:

• Safeguarding

• Communication

• Equality & Diversity

• Health & Safety

• Person Centred Support

How will it be delivered and assessed?

The course is one year long and includes a mix of classroom-based activities, practical session, group work. You will be assessed in lots of different way for example, poster, work products, blogs. You will receive prompt feedback both verbally and written from your tutor, to help you develop your academic skills and also the skills needed to work with children.

Entry requirements

4 x GCSEs at grade 2(E) or above, including English.

Your next steps...

This course provides a wide range of opportunities for the development of valuable transferable skills that can be applied across many different settings and career pathways. Learners are supported in building key skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism, all of which are essential within care environments. The programme also supports progression to Level 2 qualifications in health, social care, or children’s settings, helping learners take the next step in their education with confidence. In the longer term, it provides a strong foundation for progression into employment, preparing learners for a range of job roles across the health, social care, and early years sectors as they gain experience and develop their career goals.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.