Please use our online enrolment form to register your interest in BTAC’s courses. The BTAC team will contact you as soon as possible with further information.
For information on each course we offer please scroll further down the page to find out more.
Bedford Training and Assessment Centre (BTAC) offers training advice and courses for those working in the childcare profession or wanting a career in childcare.
BTAC is accredited to deliver Early Years, Playwork, Teaching Assistant and Health and Social Care qualifications at Level 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as QCF Assessor and Internal Verifier qualifications.
Complaints Policy and Procedure (PDF).
BTAC was set up to provide high quality training, that will enable those working directly with young children to develop appropriate skills and qualifications, in a way that meets the diverse needs of an ever-changing workforce.
BTAC is committed to working in partnership with other professionals and organisations to achieve this aim.
BTAC is registered with the Awarding Body CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education). Grade 1 awards have been achieved from CACHE every time the centre has been inspected for quality.
BTAC learners can begin training at any time of the year. BTAC caters for each learner as an individual, putting in place extra support when required. Each learner is allocated an assessor who works with them on a 1:1 basis.
BTAC offers
- Guidance and advice to individuals and employers on careers, training and qualifications.
- A comprehensive annual training programme.
- QCFs and vocationally related qualifications.
- Training and courses for continuous professional development.
- Advice on the availability of financial support.
- A safe learning environment.
- Equality of opportunity.
- A quality assurance procedure, including an appeals and complaints system.
- Subsidised costs and registration of candidates with the Awarding Body CACHE.
- Access to a training resource library.
- An annual celebration evening, to recognise and celebrate the achievements of learners completing a qualification with BTAC
Apprenticeships
BTAC is able to deliver early years, teaching assistant, playwork and adult care apprenticeships to Bedford Borough staff and levy paying organisations (subject to eligibility and availability).
Visit our apprenticeships page for more information.
Spring/Summer 2022 update: BTAC is currently enrolling learners onto courses virtually, as such we are able to induct individual learners on an ‘as and when’ basis.
Once paperwork is completed we can arrange an induction to start your course, this will depend on capacity at that time. Please phone 01234 276339 for more information.
Level 3 Early Years Educator training requirements
You must now hold maths and English in Functional Skills Level 2 or GCSE or O Level grade A-C or CSE grade 1, on completion to be included in your setting's level 3 staff ratios. International qualifications defined by UK NARIC as meeting GCSE A* - C.
These qualifications are designed to help learners build the knowledge and skills needed when working with children and young people from birth to 19 years of age. They cover a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas working in children’s environments including early years, supporting learning and teaching in schools and social care.
Course details
Delivery of our qualifications will be by E-Portfolio supported by an assessor. The majority of these qualifications consist of 4 - 5 compulsory workshops, projects, assignments, independent research and assessor observations in your workplace.
Duration 9 to 12 months at Level 2, 15 to 18 months at Level 3 and Level 5.
Please refer to your preferred choice of qualification listed below for further details.
Funding rules and course costs
See our page on how courses can be funded and how much they will cost depending on your circumstances
All funding is subject to investigation and review, please contact NVQhelp@Bedford.gov.uk for more information.
Early Years
Level 1 Award in an Introduction to Early Years Settings (PDF)
Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (PDF)
Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) (PDF)
Level 3 Award in Supporting Children and Young People's Speech, Language and Communication (PDF): On application
Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinator in Early Years Settings (PDF)
Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner (PDF)
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services (QCF) (PDF): On application
Application Form - NVQhelp@Bedford.gov.uk
Distance learning courses
BTAC is now offering distance learning courses in a variety of interesting a relevant areas, we are currently offering the 3 below. We are hoping to add more virtual learning alongside these courses soon.
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
Learners will gain knowledge, awareness and understanding of children and young people’s mental health in the following components:
- Children and young people’s mental health in context
- Factors which may affect children and young people’s mental health
- Children and young people’s mental health concerns
- The impact of children and young people’s mental health concerns
- How to support children and young people with their mental health
Qualification details for Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health (PDF)
Level 2 Award in Prevention and Control of Infection
Learners will gain knowledge, awareness and understanding in the following components of infection prevention and control:
- The policies and individual responsibilities of infection control, how procedures and risk assessment can minimise outbreak risks, using PPE correctly and the importance of good personal hygiene
- Causes of infection and common illnesses, the difference between infection and colonisation, different types of organisms and the infections caused by them
- Methods of transmission, conditions in which organisms grow, how infections enter the body and the key factors that may lead to infection occurring
- Maintaining a clean environment, understanding the procedures of decontamination for an with infection and good practice when dealing with waste materials
Qualification details for Level 2 Award in Prevention and Control of Infection (PDF)
Level 2 Award in Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities
Learners wanting to actively support individuals with learning disabilities will gain knowledge, awareness and understanding in the following:
- The legislation and policies that support the rights and inclusion of individuals with learning disabilities
- The nature, characteristics and context of learning disabilities and how to promote communication with individuals with learning disabilities
- Basic principles and practice of advocacy, empowerment and participation in supporting individuals with learning disabilities and their families
- How views and attitudes impact the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and their family carer
Alongside the above objectives there are a variety of optional units that make up a bespoke solution for each learner’s needs and interests. Two knowledge based units must be chosen in additional to the mandatory unit.
Two knowledge based units must be chosen in additional to the mandatory unit.
Qualification details for Level 2 Award in Supporting Individuals With Learning Difficulties (PDF)
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the effects, diagnosis, context and methods of support for these conditions:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Dyslexia
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Dyscalculia
- Autism Spectrum Conditions
Qualification details for Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (PDF)
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent
Learners will gain knowledge, awareness and understanding in the following components of the safeguarding and prevent duties:
- The purpose and responsibilities of the prevent duty in order to reduce the risk of radicalisation, terrorism and extremism
- The policies and principles of safeguarding including recognises and responding to signs of abuse, neglect or harm
- Understanding the impacts of inappropriate or illegal online activity, how to recognise sign of concern and how to reduce risks posed online
Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools
Learners interested in teaching assistant or school support workers will gain knowledge, awareness and understanding in the following components:
- Equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people
- Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults
- Child and young person development
- Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
- Schools as organisations
This Qualification offers direct progression to the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools for learners without a placement in a school setting
Once the learner’s attains a placement in a school environment of 8-10 hours a week, they can progress to the full certificate.
If learners already have a placement it is recommended they access the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
Qualification details for Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools (PDF)
Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare
See information on our Childminder training course
Playwork
Level 2 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Playwork (NVQ) (PDF): On application
Level 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Playwork (NVQ) (PDF): As above
Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork (PDF): As above
Application form - NVQhelp@Bedford.gov.uk
Education support
Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (PDF)
Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (PDF)
Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges (PDF)
Supervise whole class learning activities - Unit TDA 3.8 - Cover Supervisor Unit (PDF)
Application form - NVQhelp@Bedford.gov.uk
Health and social care
Level 2 Diploma in Care (PDF): On application
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (PDF): On application
Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce - Social Care Pathway only (PDF): On application
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services (PDF): On application
Application form - NVQhelp@Bedford.gov.uk
Food safety and hygiene
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Health and Social Care and Early Years and Childcare Settings (PDF)
Application form - NVQhelp@Bedford.gov.uk
Assessing and assuring the quality of assessment
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (PDF): On application
Application form - NVQhelp@Bedford.gov.ukHow to become a Satellite Centre
Would your setting like to join BTAC as a Satellite Centre?
You will need:
- A qualified workplace assessor or a practitioner who would be willing to train as an assessor.
- Practitioners who are willing to undertake their Level 2 or 3.
- Allow the assessor time within the working day to undertake the assessment of candidates.
- Release the assessor from work one day per month to attend Quality Circle Meetings.
BTAC will provide:
- CACHE log books and standards for the candidate and the assessor
- Course text books on loan for both candidates and assessor
- Continuous Professional Development Training with CACHE
- Access to a training resource library
- Internal Verification of portfolios
- External Verification with CACHE
- Support and Mentoring
Course evaluation form
If you have recently completed your course with BTAC please let us know how we did using our online evaluation form. We are always looking to improve our training and your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Further information
For further information please contact the office on 01234 276339 or email NVQhelp@bedford.gov.uk.
We deliver some courses on behalf of the Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Service (BESS), part of Central Bedfordshire Council, who provide us with funding. Courses are targeted to support residents in gaining skills relevant to the needs of employers in Bedfordshire or to meet health and well-being needs. Courses are free of charge, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information about the full range of courses and support provided by BESS visit adult learning.
