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Funded places now available

No fees. No loans. Funded.

Get qualified with a funded early years course

Already working in a nursery or pre-school? Turn the job you're doing every day into a recognised childcare course at Level 2, 3 or 5 - with teaching and learning sessions online and a tutor in your corner.

Looking for an early years course nearby? We support practitioners in settings right across England.

Employed in Early Years? Secure Your Funding TodayCall 020 7555 0640
Ofsted GOOD
Rated 4.8 on Google
27 years in early years
Must be
employed in
an early
years
setting
Early years practitioner in a polo shirt supporting a young child's play in a nursery room
£0

No fees, no loans

Government-funded, so learners pay nothing at all.

1:1

1-to-1 tutor support

Ongoing tutor support from your first week to your End-Point Assessment.

100%

Teaching and learning sessions online

Study around your shifts, with Fast-Track available for eligible applicants.

Who these courses are for

Are you currently working in an early years setting in England?

If the answer is yes, you're in the right place. Every course on this page is for practitioners already employed in a paid early years role - nursery, pre-school or day care - who want the qualification to match the work they're already doing.

Funding criteria applies. Must be employed in an early years setting in England.

Two quick checks before you apply

You're employed in a setting

At least 16 hours a week for Level 3 and Level 5, or any paid early years role for Level 2.

Your employer supports it

Your setting gives you time for off-the-job learning. We'll talk them through it if it helps.

Check My Funding Eligibility

Choose your level

Childcare courses at Level 2, 3 and 5

Early Years Practitioner learner working with young children in an early years setting (Level 2 Childcare)
Level 2 EYP · Entry Route

Level 2 Childcare
Early Years Practitioner

For practitioners working 16+ hours a week in an early years setting

The recognised starting point in early years. No prior qualification needed - just a paid role in a setting and a tutor who checks in every step.

“Turn the job you're already doing into a recognised qualification.”

“Guided every step, with a tutor in your corner from day one.”

Length
12 months+EPA
3 months
Claim Your Level 2 Funded Spot
Early Years Educator learner working with young children in an early years setting (Level 3 Childcare)
Level 3 EYE · Fast Track Available

Level 3 Childcare
Early Years Educator

For practitioners working 16+ hours a week in an early years setting

The Level 3 childcare course that puts you in the Level 3 ratio and opens up Room Leader and Senior Practitioner roles. Fast-Track in 52 weeks for eligible applicants.

“Ready for the next step? Fast-Track to Level 3 in 52 weeks.”

“Years of experience. Time to get it recognised on paper.”

Length
12-15 months+EPA
3 months
Fast-Track Level 3 Funding Now
Early Years Lead Practitioner learner working with young children in an early years setting (Level 5 Childcare)
Level 5 EYLP · Leadership

Level 5 Childcare
Early Years Lead Practitioner

For practitioners working 16+ hours a week in an early years setting

The recognised route into nursery management. Built for practitioners leading a room today who want the qualification behind the responsibility.

“Room leader today. Deputy manager tomorrow.”

“Leading your setting? Get the qualification to match.”

Length
18-24 months+EPA
3 months
Claim Funded Leadership Training

Not sure which level is right for you?

A training adviser will look at your role and experience and tell you straight.

Apply Now For FundingCall 020 7555 0640
Young child in a superhero costume giving two thumbs up while playing outdoors
Early years practitioner and children playing together during an activity in a nursery
Children learning with hands-on resources in a bright early years classroom

About Parenta Training

27 years supporting early years practitioners

We've worked alongside nurseries and pre-schools since 1999, and we've trained thousands of practitioners while they carried on doing the job. Ofsted rates our provision GOOD, and learners rate us 4.8 on Google.

Your tutor knows the sector, knows the EYFS, and knows what a busy shift looks like. That's why our learning fits around your week rather than the other way round.

4.8

Rated on Google

GOOD

Ofsted rating

27

Years in early years

How it works

01

Tell us where you work

Two minutes on the form. We check your funding eligibility and confirm which level fits your role.

02

Enrol then meet your tutor

We agree a plan with you and your manager, including your off-the-job learning time.

03

Qualify while you work

Build your portfolio on shift, then take your End-Point Assessment with your tutor beside you.

Course Funding

Government funded childcare courses, explained plainly

Train for free. Get paid while you do it.

Here’s the part people don’t quite believe until they see it in writing: most learners pay nothing towards their training. No fees. No student loan. Not now, not ever.

And since 1 August 2026, it’s now even better - every learner aged 16-24 gets 100% government-funded training, whatever the size of their employer. 25 or over? Your employer might need to cover a small share, depending on their size. Either way, a training adviser will lay out your exact position before you commit to anything.

What you pay

Course fees£0 for all learners aged 16-24
Learning resourcesIncluded
Tutor supportIncluded, 1-to-1
End-Point AssessmentIncluded

Funding criteria applies. Must be employed in an early years setting in England.

Inspected and rated

Ofsted rates our course provision GOOD

We are dedicated to supporting your success every step of the way! Inspectors highlighted our exceptional one-to-one tutor guidance and celebrated how seamlessly our learners apply their new skills directly within their settings.

With a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Google, our learners confirm - you are in expert hands!

Ofsted GOOD

Course provision, all levels

Ofsted Good rating badge

4.8 on Google

From learners and setting managers

What our learners tell us

“I'd been in the room for six years without anything on paper. My tutor worked around my shifts and I finished Level 3 without ever taking a day off the floor.”
SHSarah H.Early Years Educator, Kent
“I started at 18 with no idea what I was doing. Having the same tutor the whole way through made all the difference - she knew my setting, not just the paperwork.”
AMAisha M.Level 2 learner, Birmingham
“Level 5 gave me the confidence to apply for deputy manager. Six months later I got it. Nothing to pay, all of it fitted around the nursery.”
LTLaura T.Deputy Manager, Leeds

Places and funding are available now!

Apply today and a training adviser will call you within one working day.

Claim Your Funded Place Now

Questions, answered

Frequently asked questions by level

Yes. This course is only open to people currently employed in a paid early years role. If you are not yet working in the sector, start with our jobs board or the Level 1 course instead.

Get qualified free. Start with one question.

Are you currently working in an early years setting in England?

Funding criteria applies. Must be employed in an early years setting in England.

Yes, I'm Ready to Take The First StepTalk to an adviser: 020 7555 0640

Ofsted GOOD · Rated 4.8 on Google · 27 years in early years

Call nowApply now