Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

About this qualification

The aim of this qualification is to prepare learners to become early years educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to five years and gain knowledge of children aged five to seven years.

Upon achievement of this qualification, it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as early years educators.

Work/industry placement experience

This qualification requires learners to complete a mandatory work/industry placement experience throughout the duration of the qualification, before certification.

Placements must be chosen carefully and all necessary risk assessments undertaken, giving attention to:

• location
• accessibility
• suitability

Wherever possible learner placements will be at centres with a good or outstanding Ofsted rating. Those accessing placements that require improvement would benefit from wider experience during their training, if possible.

Aims and objectives

The aim of this qualification is to prepare learners to become early years educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to five years and gain knowledge of children aged five to seven years.

Upon achievement of this qualification, it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as early years educators.

In response to the Department for Education (DfE), we have built a qualification to meet the criteria required for those wishing to become early years educators.

We have surpassed the minimum requirements set out in the ‘full and relevant criteria’ to develop a qualification which reflects the priorities of educators and employers to meet the needs of babies and children.

This qualification aims to: 

• Focus on the study of early years education.
• Offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
• Provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills

The objectives of this qualification are to: 

• Confirm occupational competence and/or ‘licence to practice’
• Confirm competence in an occupational role to the standard required

Progression 

• Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following:
• Employment: educator in day nurseries
• Educator in nursery schools
• Educator in reception classes in primary schools
• Pre-school worker

Further education:

• NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner (610/4163/4)
• Higher education – personal statements may be accepted by universities