Early years courses and qualifications
Find and apply for an early years course or qualification
The Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) offers a range of courses and qualifications to support the early years sector.
For those looking to get into the sector, BESA works with local settings to deliver the free Introduction to Working in Early Years Settings course; ideal for anyone wanting to find out what it’s like to work in a nursery or pre-school.
For professionals already working within the sector, BESA offers a range of qualifications to support your career journey, ranging from Level 2 up to Level 5, including:
- Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Free for learners aged 19+ subject to meeting funding criteria)
- Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Free for learners aged 19+ subject to meeting funding criteria)
- Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinators in Early Years Settings
- Level 4 Award in Early Years Emotional Wellbeing
- Level 4 Award in Promoting Health and Wellbeing through Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordination in the Early Years
- Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner
- Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner
BESA also offers a range of short qualifications which are ideal for continuing professional development (CPD), covering specialist areas such as autism, behaviour, early brain development, mental health, safeguarding and prevent, and equality and diversity.