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Free Online Childcare courses

Whether you’re just starting out in the childcare sector or looking to build on your existing experience, our range of free online childcare courses will help you meet your goals. These courses are ideal if you’re passionate about working with children and want to grow your skills, boost your CV, or prepare for further qualifications - all from the comfort of your own home.

From understanding child development and safeguarding to exploring SEN (Special Educational Needs) or early years education, there’ll be a childcare course to suit you. What’s more, many offer completion certificates or even award regulated qualifications, helping you demonstrate your learning to employers and meet requirements for entry-level roles in schools, nurseries, or care settings.

Why choose free online childcare courses on Reed.co.uk?

  • Study 100% online and in your own time
  • Learn the foundations of early years education and childcare
  • Build your knowledge in areas like autism awareness, safeguarding, and play-based learning
  • Find free online childcare courses with certificates to boost your career prospects
  • Discover opportunities to progress into further training

These courses are perfect for aspiring nursery nurses or assistants, teaching assistants, childminders or anyone interested in working with children. 

Ready to get started? Browse our full selection of free online childcare courses below, or explore related areas like education and teaching.

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  • Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges

    Learning Curve Group
    Complete online for FREE when it suits you, with materials and tutor support. Learn about Behaviour that Challenges
    • 13,786 enquiries
    • Online
    • 7 weeks · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Highly rated
    Popular
    Trending
    There are lots of reasons why someone’s behaviour might be challenging – anxiety, neglect, abuse, learning disabilities, dementia, to mention just a few. If you want to gain a better understanding of challenging behaviour and how to support individuals who display it, this online …
    Free

  • Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

    Learning Curve Group
    Complete online for FREE when it suits you, with study materials and tutor support. Learn to care for autistic people.
    • 19,017 enquiries
    • Online
    • 7 weeks · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Highly rated
    Popular
    Trending
    There are around 700,000 people in the UK with autism – more than 1 in every 100. If you work with people with autism, or if someone you know is autistic, this course is a great way to increase your knowledge about the condition. You will learn about autism and how it can affect …
    Free

  • Level 3 Certificate Understanding Mental Health

    Learning Curve Group
    Complete online for FREE when it suits you, with study materials and tutor support. Understand Mental Health.
    • 4,251 enquiries
    • Online
    • 3 months · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Popular
    Trending
    The mental health crisis is becoming increasingly prevalent in the UK, with 1 in 4 adults experiencing a mental health problem every year. The Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health is designed to provide a greater awareness of mental health issues and the importance …
    Free

  • Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology)

    Learning Curve Group
    Start your career in psychology. Gain the qualifications to start university.
    • 12,882 enquiries
    • Online
    • 12 months · Part-time
    • Regulated qualification
    • Exam(s) included
    • Certificate(s) included
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Trending
    If a career in one of the many psychology disciplines is your dream, or you’re looking to make a career change, the Access to HE Diploma (Psychology) is a level 3 qualification designed to prepare you to study a range of psychology degrees. If you don’t have the grades you need t …
    Free

  • Level 3 Course in Special Educational Needs (SEN)

    Learning Curve Group
    Online course with funding available, study anytime with tutor support
    • 2,006 enquiries
    • Online
    • 15 weeks · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Certificate(s) included
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Popular
    Trending
    Special Educational Needs (SEN) can affect children and young people in different ways; it can affect their reading and writing, their behaviour and concentration, their ability to understand things, or even their physical ability.
    Free

  • Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems

    Learning Curve Group
    Complete online for FREE when it suits you, with study materials and tutor support. Support Mental Health
    • 8,734 enquiries
    • Online
    • 7 weeks · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Around 450 million people worldwide suffer from a mental health problem. You can help tackle this challenge by increasing your knowledge with our level 2 certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems. This fully online course will help you gain new knowledge and skills for y …
    Free

  • Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Autism

    Learning Curve Group
    Complete online for FREE when it suits you, with study materials and tutor support. Understand Autism.
    • 5,149 enquiries
    • Online
    • 3 months · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    More than 1 in every 100 people in the UK have an autism diagnosis. The Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Autism is designed for learners who want to increase their knowledge and understanding of the condition, and the challenges and strengths that autistic people may experien …
    Free

  • Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Domestic Abuse

    Learning Curve Group
    Complete online for FREE when it suits you, with study materials and tutor support. Learn about domestic abuse.
    • 6,305 enquiries
    • Online
    • 7 weeks · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Popular
    Trending
    The annual Crime Survey estimates that almost 2.5 Million adults experience domestic abuse each year. In addition, one in five children witness or experience domestic abuse in their childhood. Although it is often an under reported crime, with most cases of domestic abuse kept hi …
    Free

  • Digital Work Experience

    Reed Business School
    Real-life work experiences across 10 companies and 17 sectors as part of the 'Gateway to work' programme
    • 3,920 students
    • Online
    • 3.7 hours · Self-paced
    Great service
    Highly rated
    Popular
    Trending
    Are you struggling to get in-person work experience? Do you want to know more about what it's really like to work in different sectors like Marketing, Product design, Finance or Care? If so, this Digital Work Experience course could be exactly what you're looking for. This D …
    Free

  • Get ready to work - From digital work experience to interview prep

    Reed Business School
    The ultimate careers programme for students, graduates and job seekers
    • 729 students
    • Online
    • 7.8 hours · Self-paced
    Great service
    Calling all students… If you want to know how to get into your dream job or career once you've finished school, college or university, this course is for you. Gateway to Work is a free digital careers programme that gives you all the tools you need to smoothly transition from edu …
    Free
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FAQs

Reed Courses advertises a large variety of Childcare courses which are delivered by a range of learning providers. The Childcare courses on offer vary in time duration and study method, with many offering tutor support. Whether you want to study for a regulated qualification, or take a Childcare course which provides CPD points/hours or qualifications, there are a number of learning options available.

If you're looking for Childcare courses, you might also be interested in Child psychology and Behaviour management. These courses can be taken to further enhance your understanding of the subject. By having a broader understanding of the subject can help you to improve your professional or personal development.

In addition to free Childcare courses, Reed Courses also has plenty of paid for online Childcare courses, designed to meet all kinds of learning goals and to suit a range of preferred study methods.

In addition to a variety of free Childcare online courses, Reed Courses also offers a range of free classroom courses. These are perfect for anyone looking to learn in an in-person format.
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