This is a two year course offered in Years 10 and 11.  The course has one external examination and two pieces of extended coursework.  The outcome is a pass, merit or distinction.

To gain the Certificate three units are studied:

• Patterns of Child Development
• Promoting Children's Development Through Play
• The Principles of Early Years Practice

It should be noted tha tin order to meet all the criteria of the course, students must go to a nursery for their Year 10 Work Experience Placement.  Motivation and the ability to carry our individual research is also a requirement of the student is to succeed.