Clear Qualification Details
Check the Highfield qualification number and official recognition before choosing your course.
HIGHFIELD QUALIFICATION • ENGLAND
About the Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Practitioners
The Highfield Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Practitioners (England) (RQF) is designed for people working with babies and young children. It develops knowledge of care, learning and development alongside the competence needed in an early years setting.
This is a practical qualification. Your portfolio must demonstrate what you know and how you apply it at work. Before enrolling, contact HHF Training to discuss your role or placement, assessment arrangements and an achievable study plan.
Who Is This Course For?
This course suits nursery assistants, early years support workers and people seeking a practical route into childcare. It is particularly relevant if you already work or volunteer in a nursery, pre-school or another suitable early years setting.
If you are changing career, speak with us about securing access to a setting before committing to the course. Your day-to-day role must give you opportunities to develop and demonstrate the required skills with babies and young children.
What You Will Learn
Explore how children develop and how an early years practitioner supports safe, inclusive care and learning. You will connect the course topics to everyday practice, using examples from your setting to explain your decisions and reflect on your progress.
- Child development, attachment and transitions
- Safeguarding, health and safety
- Communication and partnership working
- Supporting learning and development
- Personal and professional development
Entry Requirements and Practical Placement
This qualification is available to learners aged 16 and above. Highfield advises a minimum of Level 1 literacy and/or numeracy, or an equivalent. These are advised entry skills; HHF Training will review your suitability and learning needs before confirming your place.
You need access to a suitable early years setting in England where you can develop and demonstrate the practical skills required by the units. The qualification focuses on children aged 0–5, with knowledge extending to age 7. Discuss your paid role, volunteering or proposed placement with HHF Training before enrolling so that we can check the opportunities available for portfolio assessment.
How many work-placement hours are required? Highfield’s September 2026 specification does not state a fixed minimum placement-hour requirement. This does not mean the course can be completed without practical experience. You must meet the practical assessment criteria, and HHF Training must agree a suitable setting, supervision and assessment plan with you. Any HHF placement timetable or additional placement requirement will be confirmed before enrolment.
The 293 GLH and 400 TQT figures are learning-time estimates, not placement-hour requirements. Your setting must allow suitable assessment arrangements and relevant activities. Confirm any safeguarding, suitability and setting-specific checks with HHF Training and the placement provider before you start.
If you need to strengthen literacy skills, explore our Functional Skills English Level 2 course. English support is separate from the Early Years diploma; please ask which route fits your circumstances.
How the Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Is Assessed
Highfield specifies a portfolio of evidence. You must show both understanding and practical competence, with evidence matched to the qualification requirements.
Plan your evidence with your assessor. Depending on the requirements being assessed, this may involve written work, professional discussion, reflective accounts and observation of practice. Your assessor will explain what is required and how evidence should be submitted.
Protect children’s privacy when preparing work. Follow your setting’s procedures and your assessor’s instructions for anonymising records. Completing online learning alone does not demonstrate every practical skill needed for certification.
Learning Support and Study Planning
Build a study routine that works alongside your responsibilities in the setting. Set aside time for reading, practice, reflection and keeping your portfolio organised. Keep a record of questions for your tutor or assessor so that you can address difficulties early.
Contact HHF Training before enrolment to discuss additional learning needs or reasonable adjustments. Any adjustment must be agreed through the relevant process and maintain the qualification’s assessment standards. Tell us about access needs early so that appropriate arrangements can be considered.
Level 2 Diploma for Early Years: Fees and Enrolment
The current HHF Training course price is £795, as shown in the live WooCommerce fee card above. For instalment options, speak with our course advice team.
Before you pay, ask us to confirm your delivery timetable, tutor support period, practical assessment arrangements and what the fee covers. This includes awarding organisation registration, assessment visits, certification and any additional charges applicable to your circumstances.
Make sure your role or placement is suitable and that you understand the evidence requirements. A clear plan at the start helps you make an informed decision and organise your study around the setting.
VERIFY YOUR QUALIFICATION
Certification and Recognition
Successful learners achieve the Highfield Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Practitioners (England) (RQF), qualification number 610/3357/1. Certification follows completion of the required assessment and quality assurance process.
Awarding Organisation: Highfield
Qualification Number
610/3357/1
Verify this regulated qualification on the official Ofqual Register.
YOUR NEXT STEP IN EARLY YEARS
Why Study with HHF Training?
Start with course advice that connects your career goal, learning needs and practical setting. Learn more about HHF Training and read our learner FAQs before enrolling.
Advice Before Enrolment
Discuss your role, placement and learning needs with HHF Training before committing.
Practical Study Planning
Plan learning and portfolio evidence around the opportunities available in your early years setting.
What You Will Gain and Progression to Level 3
Through the course, you will learn how to:
- Understand how babies and young children develop and learn.
- Support safe, inclusive care and purposeful play in an early years setting.
- Recognise safeguarding concerns and follow the setting’s reporting procedures.
- Support children’s communication, wellbeing and everyday care needs.
- Work with colleagues, parents and carers to support children’s development.
- Reflect on your practice and gather evidence of your knowledge and practical competence.
Progression to the Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Educators
The Level 2 Diploma for Early Years provides a foundation for further study. You may progress to the Highfield Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Educators (England) (RQF), subject to meeting its entry and practical assessment requirements. Discuss your experience, role or placement and study plan with HHF Training before enrolling.
The Level 2 diploma also supports a route into roles such as nursery assistant, early years worker or assistant childminder. Roles and responsibilities depend on the employer, your experience and the setting’s requirements.
Please Check Your Intended Progression Route
If you require this qualification for entry to a Level 3 course, a particular employer or another professional route, confirm that organisation’s current entry requirements before enrolling. Requirements are set by the receiving organisation and can change. Completion of Level 2 does not guarantee admission to Level 3.
For staffing decisions in England, consult the current DfE early years qualification requirements and standards. A qualification does not remove other applicable EYFS requirements.
GET ANSWERS
Level 2 Early Years Diploma FAQs
Answers about Highfield recognition, practical evidence, assessment and enrolment.
Highfield awards the qualification. Its full title is Highfield Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Practitioners (England) (RQF), qualification number 610/3357/1.
You need practical evidence from a suitable early years setting. Online learning can support knowledge development, but it does not replace the workplace competence required for this qualification. Confirm your placement and assessment arrangements before enrolling.
Highfield specifies a portfolio of evidence. Your assessor explains the evidence needed to demonstrate knowledge and practical competence against the qualification requirements.
Highfield states that this qualification meets the DfE Level 2 Early Years Practitioner criteria and that successful learners can be included in EYFS staff-to-child ratios at Level 2. Employers must also check the current EYFS and DfE requirements applicable to the individual and setting.
Highfield lists 400 total qualification hours and 293 guided learning hours. These are learning measures rather than a guaranteed completion time. Agree a realistic timetable with HHF Training based on your study availability, setting and assessment opportunities.
Level 2 can provide a foundation for further early years study. Contact HHF Training to discuss the Level 3 route and check its entry, practical and assessment requirements before applying.