Award in an Introduction to Neuroscience in Early Years

This thought-provoking NCFE CACHE qualification combines two highly topical themes within child development and early years provision – neuroscience and self-regulation.

Neuroscience is an exciting field of research that has huge significance to anyone who supports babies or young children. This qualification is designed to give learners an introduction to the subject and to share with them some of the remarkable insights it has given us in terms of how the infant brain develops, and how this is affected by a range of external influences.

This course has relevance to anyone with an interest in child development and the factors that affect children’s behaviour, emotional well-being and ability to learn.  It is particularly relevant to early years practitioners, teachers and teaching assistants, childminders and those who work in children’s services.  It should also be a valuable aid to parents and other primary carers.

This qualification is suitable for learners aged 19 years and over.

This qualification is designed to give learners an introduction to Neuroscience and its significance to anyone who supports babies and children. It will share some remarkable insights into how the infant brain develops and how this is affected by a range of external influences. Self-regulation, the critical set of skills that help children deal with powerful emotions such as anger, fear and sadness is explored, and practical advice given on how to support children in the critical first seven years of life to develop those vital self-regulation skills.

The course comprises two mandatory units:

• Unit 01 Understanding neuroscience in early years
• Unit 02 Understanding self-regulation and how to nurture this in children from birth to seven years

Advances in technology mean we can now see the damaging effects that stress, trauma and a lack of adult care and affection can have on the developing structures of the brain and how these can detrimentally affect learning and behaviour. Conversely, we can also see the powerful and positive effects of affectionate and responsive caregiver relationships and of nurturing care environments.

This qualification also explores the topic of self-regulation in early years. These are a critical set of skills that help children to remain calm, attentive and able to deal with powerful emotions such as fear, anger and sadness. Children are not born with these skills; they develop them over time when they are supported to understand their feelings and actions by caring and responsive adults. This is one of the reasons why, for the first time, self-regulation has been included as an early learning goal in the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

As well as explaining the theory behind the science, this course will provide learners with practical advice in terms of how to promote healthy brain development in the critical first seven years of life, and how they can support children to develop those vital self-regulation skills.

Distance Learning with Shrewsbury Colleges Group gives you more flexibility, allowing you to study where and when you want. All you need is commitment and the time to study especially if you are working full time. We offer specially prepared course materials, which combined with help and support from your subject teacher make your learning experience easily manageable.

There will be a formal assessment to submit, after completing the two mandatory units.

This course is currently being offered free of charge subject to eligibility. If, however, you withdraw early without a reason, a charge will be incurred to cover course materials, registration, and admin fees.

If you are ready to enrol, please click the enrol button at the top of this factsheet. If you would like further information, please contact the Distance Learning Team on 01743 653355 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Depending on where you live, this course may incur fees – please check your home postcode in our postcode checker above, to see if you are eligible for funding. Following your enrolment, we will contact you with further information on your study, submitting assignments and tutor support.