Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator)

This two year course is the recognised qualification for anyone wanting to work as an Early Years Educator in England.  Learners on this course will be required to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of early years education and care, showing that they can support and promote children's early education and development, plan and provide effective care enabling children to progress and make accurate and productive use of assessment. You will also develop effective and informed practice, safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare of children and work in partnership with key people.

What are the entry requirements for Level 3?

For all levels you will complete an initial assessment to identify your English and Maths levels and attend an informal interview with a teacher.

To enrol for a Level 3 course, you must be working at Functional Skills Level 2 in both English and Maths and have completed a level 2 course.

Voluntary or Employment placement requirements:

For a Level 3 Early Years Educator course you must be employed within a childcare setting for a minimum of 2 full days a week or equivalent i.e. 12-15 hours a week.  (Exceptions could apply)

You will need a DBS certificate to work or volunteer in a nursery or school. If you are working in a nursery or school it will be your employer's responsibility to get your DBS. If you are planning to volunteer in a nursery or school check if they will pay for your DBS or if you need to pay for it. If you need to pay for it you could apply for Discretionary Learner Support to help cover this cost if you are eligible. 

How is the qualification delivered and assessed?

This course is delivered online via Zoom, so you will need access to the internet and a laptop or tablet to take part in them. If this causes an issue for you then please contact us to see if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make for you.

During this course you will build an e-portfolio of work where you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding through activities and assignments.

Your teacher and assessor will arrange to visit you in your workplace to observe you in practice. Tutorials and workshops may be arranged in school holiday time and this is a good time to catch up with coursework. The course content will be planned individually to suit your level, experience and working environment. You will be given a completion date for your portfolio and you must be completed by this date or you risk not achieving.

Further Progression

Successful completion of a Level 3 qualification could lead to progression within employment in a variety of roles, or moving onto Higher Education.

Back to Childcare page for details of dates, times and cost