Childcare

Our short introductory courses Becoming a Childcare Practitioner, Becoming a Childminder and Level 1 Award in Caring for Childcare are delivered face to face at our centre in Arndale House. Our Level 2 and Level 3 Childcare qualifications are delivered online by a teacher via zoom with face to face visits into the workplace. 

Please note that any adult aged 19 and over, who does not already have a level 3 qualification (equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels) or higher, can access the Level 3 Diploma for free through the National Skills Fund.

Take a look at our Pathway to Childcare to help you to decide which of our courses is right for you. 

Scroll down to find out about the courses we have on offer. Click on the individual course titles to find out more information about each one. 

To register your interest for a course, please email us at info@lutonacl.ac.uk. Please note that enrolments for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 courses are subject to interview and results of initial assessments in English and maths.

Passport to Childcare

Day: Friday 

Date: 22/03/2024 

Length of workshop: 1 session of 2 hours 

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

Venue: Arndale House

Cost: Free*

Becoming a Childcare Practitioner

Day: Friday

Start date: 26/04/24 (Enrolment/induction 19/04/24)

End date: 24/05/2024

Length of course: 5 weeks

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

Venue: Arndale House

Cost: Free*

Becoming a Childminder

Day: Thursday

Enrolment session: 18/04/2024

Start date: 25/04/24 

End date: 23/05/2024

or 

Enrolment session: 06/06/2024

Start date: 13/06/2024 

End date: 11/07/2024

Length of course: 5 weeks

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

Venue: Arndale House

Cost: Free*

Developing Children's Numeracy Skills in a Childcare setting 

Day: Friday

Start date: 14/06/24 (Enrolment/induction 07/06/24)

End date: 12/07/2024

Length of course: 5 weeks

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

Venue: Arndale House

Cost: Free*

*Subject to eligibility. You will need to show us that you have been a resident in the UK for more than 3 years. There are some exceptions, if you are not sure if you are eligible please call us on 01582 490033  

Level 1 Award in Caring for Children

Day: Tuesday

Enrolment and Induction: 27/02/24

Start Date: 05/03/24

End Date: 09/07/24

Please contact us to arrange an assessment and interview.

Length of course: 16 weeks

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

Venue: Arndale House

Cost: £225**

Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner

Day: Thursday

Start Date: September 2024  

Length of course: 33 weeks

Time: 9.15am to 11.45am

Venue: Online

Cost: £995**

If you are interested in this joining this course in September 2024, please contact us to arrange an assessment and interview. We may suggest some preparatory courses prior to you starting this qualification. 

**Learners on the Level 1 and 2 courses may be eligible to have some or their entire course fees remitted. This course is free to learners who are unemployed, looking for work, available to start work and on one of these benefits: 

JSA, ESA (WRAG), Income Support, Council Tax/Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit or other income related benefits. The learner must be named on the paperwork. This course may also be free if your income is under £20,319 gross per annum. You will need to provide evidence of this in the form of wage slips. 

Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner Year 1 of 2 Years*

This is a rolling programme.

Please contact us to arrange an assessment and interview.

Length of course: 66 weeks

Venue: Online

Cost: £2573***

***If you do not have a full Level 3 qualification you may be entitled to a free course. If you are not entitled to a free course, you may be eligible to access 19+ Advanced Learning Loans.

Payments in instalments may be arranged for anyone paying fees.

For more information on any of the above please contact us on 01582 490033 or info@lutonacl.ac.uk

'My teacher is patient and I have learnt about how young children can build their self-confidence, social skills, self-control, exploration skills, expand their language and learn numeracy.'

Click here to read the positive stories learners have said about us.