A clear, four-stage process
Submitting this form is not an enrolment. It allows us to review your circumstances and guide you through the next steps.
Complete the short eligibility questionnaire on this page.
Our team calls you to confirm your answers and discuss your chosen start date.
With your consent, we refer eligible applicants to Aldridge Adult Learning.
Aldridge Adult Learning contacts you to confirm your place and start date.
Introduction to Early Years Skills Bootcamp
A practical, classroom-based introduction to working with babies and young children, designed for people looking to start a career in the Early Years sector.
| Training provider | Aldridge Adult Learning |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free to eligible learners |
| Format | Face to face, in a classroom setting |
| Timetable | Every Tuesday and Friday, 10am to 4pm |
| Duration | 12 teaching days |
| Venue | Tithe Barn, Moulsecoomb Place, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4HQ |
| Course type | Non-accredited introductory programme |
| Experience required | None. No previous childcare experience or DBS check is needed to join. |
Choose the cohort that suits you
You will need to attend every Tuesday and Friday for the full course, including returning after any holiday break.
What the programme covers
The core knowledge and practical skills expected in a modern Early Years setting.
On successful completion
Certificates you may receive
- Skills Bootcamp Certificate of Completion
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate
- Safeguarding certificate
Progression support
- Support towards employment in the Early Years sector
- A potential route onto a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship
- Marked workbooks to evidence your learning
Who can apply
Your eligibility will be confirmed during your telephone call. To join this programme, you will typically need to:
- Be aged 19 or over
- Live or work in Brighton & Hove
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Not be in full-time employment (unemployed, part-time and self-employed applicants may be considered)
- Not already hold a Level 2 or higher qualification in Early Years
- Not have completed another Skills Bootcamp in the applicable funding year
- Speak English as a first language, or hold ESOL Level 1 (all units)
- Be available every Tuesday and Friday, 10am to 4pm, for the full course
Your questions answered
Is the course really free?
Yes, the course is free to learners who meet the eligibility criteria. We will confirm your eligibility during your telephone call.
Is this a recognised qualification?
This is a non-accredited introductory course. It is not a Level 2 qualification. It is designed to prepare you for work in the sector and to support progression towards an accredited Level 2 qualification, such as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship.
Do I need childcare experience or a DBS check?
No previous childcare experience or DBS check is required to attend the course. Please be aware that employers may carry out their own DBS checks before offering employment.
I work part-time. Can I still apply?
Applicants who are unemployed, employed part-time or self-employed may be considered. The course is not available to those in full-time employment.
What happens after I submit this form?
A member of the Skills Connected team will call you to go through your answers, explain the course and confirm your preferred start date. We aim to call during working hours on the day you register, or on the next working day.
Who are Skills Connected?
Skills Connected is the independent organisation that recruits and screens applicants for this programme. We are not the training provider. The training itself is delivered by Aldridge Adult Learning.
Will I be guaranteed a job at the end?
No. Employment, interviews and apprenticeships cannot be guaranteed. The course includes a CV session and progression support to help you take your next step into the sector.
The independent link between education and industry
Skills Connected, part of The E3 Group, connects UK learners, training providers and employers across government-funded Skills Bootcamps and apprenticeships.
We are not a training provider or an employer. Our role is to help you find the right course, support you through the application process and connect you with the provider best placed to deliver your training.
- Funded trainingAccess to government-funded courses across UK training providers.
- Employer ledEvery course is matched to live employer demand.
- Managed journeySupport from your first enquiry through to your outcome.
How we use your information
Skills Connected uses the information you provide to assess your eligibility for this programme and to contact you about your application by phone, email and SMS. You may opt out of messages at any time.
We will only share your details with Aldridge Adult Learning once we have spoken with you and you have given your consent. Full details are available in our Privacy Policy.