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 interested in starting a career in early years education, we offer a 3-hour introductory workshop, Introduction to Working in Early Years . This is a great opportunity to gain insight into the sector and explore potential career paths.
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 Working in the Early Years Sector (Free for learners aged 19+ subject to meeting funding criteria)
- Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner
- Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner
BESA offers a range of short, online specialist qualifications designed specifically for early years professionals. These courses are ideal for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and help you stay up to date with key topics in the sector:
- Level 2 Technical Specialist Award in Early Years Nutrition
- Level 2 Technical Specialist Award in Neuroscience in Early Years
- Level 2 Technical Specialist Award for Designated Safeguarding Officers in Early Years
- Level 2 Technical Specialist Award for the Early Years SEND co-ordinator Assistant
- Level 2 Technical Specialist Certificate in Adverse Childhood Experiences in Early Years
- Level 2 Technical Specialist Certificate in Mental Health in the Early Years
In addition to these early years-focused qualifications, BESA also offers a variety of other short online courses in broader areas that can enhance your professional knowledge. These include topics such as autism, challenging behaviour, mental health, safeguarding and Prevent, equality and diversity, and more.
Early years vacancies across Central Bedfordshire