Level 1 Certificate in Caring for Children
- Start date(s): September 2026
- Centre(s): Abraham Moss, Forum, Greenheys, Longsight
- Course duration: 36 weeks
The next scheduled intake for this course is September 2026. You can now register your interest for this course by completing the below form. If an opportunity to join this course becomes available before September 2026, we will contact you.
Course details
This course is designed to stimulate interest and encourage the learners’ understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to care for a child.
The units cover both personal development and the development and growth of babies and young children.
On this course you will explore the value of a healthy lifestyle, communication and learning aspects of play, and the importance of building children’s confidence.
On this course, you will study the following mandatory units:
Sharing learning experiences with children: aim of this unit is to develop your knowledge and understanding of types of learning experiences, which could be shared with children, and the importance of these experiences to promote learning.
Preparing for your next steps: This unit provides you with the opportunity to research and plan for the next phase of your life. This might be accessing further training, moving on in education or into employment. You will be able to learn about different options suitable for your own unique talents and skills. Preparing for your next steps will enable you to gain experience
Technology activities for young children: Through your learning you will find out about the value of technology activities for young children. It will also help to develop your understanding of the expected learning for the child from specific activities.
Musical activities for young children This unit will help you to learn about many fun ways of using music to stimulate a child’s senses and how and what children can learn through musical activities. It will also help you to develop an understanding of activities that are suitable for a child’s age or their stage of development. You will also have the opportunity to discover how to make musical games or activities which are fun for the child and valuable for their development.
Practical health and safety when with young children: This unit will introduce you to a number of aspects of this topic. You will look at different aspects of daily life and gain an understanding of how to keep young children safe using the advice that is made available to us.
Finding out about Forest Schools: The term ‘Forest Schools’ may be new to you. This is a type of school that supports children’s learning outside of a formal classroom. This way of learning is becoming very popular when supporting children’s learning in the natural environment. You will have the opportunity to find out about the main features of a Forest School. Also look at different types of outdoor places where children can explore and learn.
Craft activities for young children: Craft activities help young children to develop a range of skills. They also support the young child’s development physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually. Health and safety is an important thing to understand when preparing for these activities.
Understanding learning and development through play: This unit will give you a chance to explore play, a range of materials, resources and activities that will show you how to value children as individuals.
This course is delivered face-to-face in our adult learning centres.
This course will be internally assessed using a range of methods which could include: written assignments or tasks such as designing a leaflet or booklet, charts or diagrams or setting up an information board.
To be eligible for this course, you must have an Entry 3 English and maths qualification.
In addition to the above, you will also need to have access to a device (laptop or computer) at home. You can apply to our Chromebook loan system if you do not have a suitable device.
After completing this course, you may be interested in exploring higher-level courses in childcare with MAES, such as the Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning, Level 2 Early Years’ Practitioner and Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges (Teaching Assistant).