NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)

An ideal qualification for learners seeking the skills and knowledge needed for a career involving children within an Ofsted-regulated environment. Early Years Educator Level 3 allows you to gain a Licence to Practice as an early years educator.
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Overview

If you’re looking to gain full practitioner status as an early years’ educator, also known as EYE, then this Early Years Educator Level 3 diploma is the course for you.

After completion of your diploma in early years education, you’ll be fully qualified and ready to begin work as a nursery nurse, reception practitioner, private nanny, or one of many other positions which involve working closely with young children. You’ll combine studying online with a practical placement of at least 350 hours in a childcare role, as you develop your skills and help children to learn, grow, and thrive.

During the course of this approved and NCFE CACHE-accredited Early Years qualification, you’ll learn how to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of children ages 0-5, whilst also gaining knowledge of how best to work with children ages 5-7. You’ll explore how to support a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and exercise, how to promote children’s speech and language skills, as well as gain other vital knowledge regarding safeguarding and health and safety legislation within an Ofsted-regulated environment.

As a qualified level 3 early years educator, you’ll be able to gain employment in roles including:

  • Nursery nurse
  • Children’s centre worker
  • Early years educator
  • Early years teacher
  • Private nanny
  • Childminder
  • Playschool attendant

 

Before studying Early Years level 3, you may wish to study early years level 2. After you’ve completed your level 3 studies, you may wish to progress to early years level 4 and early years level 5. Learn more about the different qualification levels here.

What you will learn

  1. Unit 1 - Health and wellbeing in young children

    In this unit, you’ll look at supporting children’s development through healthy eating and exercise. You’ll study local and national initiatives aimed at keeping children fit and healthy, the importance of sleep for babies and young children, SIDS prevention, and common childhood illnesses. You’ll also explore the ways in which you can support children’s emotional wellbeing, and what you need to know about taking care of children who are unwell.

  2. Unit 2 - Legislation, frameworks and professional practice in early years settings

    In this unit, you’ll study the legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children. You’ll learn about different types of neglect and abuse, and how to spot them, along with the responsibilities of the practitioner and the relevant policies and procedures that must be followed. Next, you’ll explore legislation relating to equality, diversity, and inclusivity, the impact of discrimination, and the laws that have been brought in place to prevent this. Finally, you’ll learn about the importance of working with parents, colleagues, and other professionals, and how to encourage parents to take an active role in their child’s development.

  3. Unit 3 - Theme 3: Play, development and school readiness

    In this unit, you’ll learn about the importance of supporting young children’s development through play. You’ll find out how to support emergent literacy and mathematical skills, ways in which you can support a child in their transition to school, and strategies for supporting cognitive skills. You’ll discover the ways in which you can support children with additional needs, and how you can use observation, assessment, and planning to promote and support child development. Finally, you’ll learn how to use longitudinal studies observe, assess, and plan for children’s needs.

CACHE stands for the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education, and are the leading specialist Awarding Organisation for the Care and Education Sector.

Course Outcome

Upon graduation, you’ll attain fully-qualified status in the sector, as well as a license and the right to practice in the childcare workforce as an Early Years Educator. You’ll also be awarded a formal certificate of achievement from NCFE CACHE.

Once complete, you can progress into various job roles in the statutory within an Ofsted-regulated environment, voluntary or private sectors such as:

  • Practitioner in day nurseries
  • Practitioner in nursery schools
  • Practitioner in reception classes in primary schools
  • Pre-school worker
  • Home-based child carer.

How is this course assessed or examined?

This course is assessed in two ways:

Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
Each unit is followed by a tutor-marked assignment (TMA) which will be completed at the end of each module and marked by your tutor.

You will not be required to take an external exam with this course as your portfolio of evidence is internally assessed by us and externally quality assured by the awarding body. The outcomes for each TMA are Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. Your tutor will provide feedback on your work, and should there be any amendments required, they will outline what is needed for you to complete that assignment.

Observation (included)
This course requires up to four observations. This means that somebody will need to observe your practice working with children aged 0-5 years old in an OFSTED-regulated setting. This could be in a workplace or a voluntary placement. These practical observations will be carried out by an Oxbridge Assessor (we’ll visit you) and that’s included within the course price.

We offer up to four complimentary external observations for this course to any student on the UK mainland, which is enough to complete the course.

More information about practical observations

Important note about Observations

Many other providers are currently not compliant with the observation requirements for this course.

It is not possible to complete the observations in this course using a member of staff in your placement. Observations must take place directly by the centre that runs the course.

When comparing us to others, please ensure they provide direct observations from their centre. Otherwise, you will not be able to complete your course.

Entry requirements

To begin your new career journey, you only need this qualification and your English and maths level 2 qualifications. With both of these in your pocket, you’ll be included in the level 3 staff-to-child ratio in childcare settings. We would suggest that you’ve worked with children before or hold a level 2 qualification in childcare.

Courses Taught by Experts

Laura

Health care

For 10+ years, my passion for helping learners develop and grow has driven my career as a teacher. To help me progress even further, I am currently studying to achieve the IQA award. I love reading and I’m a self-professed Harry Potter fan. Talk to me about all things history, rock music, tattoos and true crime podcasts. 

Laura, tutor

Penny

STEM and History of Art

Marine biology, jellyfish conservationist, hairdresser, fitness instructor… I have an eclectic backstory! Art is my passion and one of my proudest moments was achieving my Masters in Fine Art. I then requalified as an Art teacher to share my knowledge with my students. For most of my career, I’ve supported vulnerable students with additional needs such as SEMH and SEN.

penny-tc_compressed

Faye

Early Years

Beginning my career as an early years practitioner inspired me to step into the world of teaching. I have since elevated my skillset through a range of qualifications including L3 in Assessing Vocational Achievement, L3 in Education & Training and L4 in Internal Quality Assurance. I’m a big kid at heart; I love Disney movies and also dabble in photography.  

faye-h_compressed

Sarah

Education and Childcare

My 30-year stride in education started with childminding, to working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I then tutored in a national reading programme and went on to become a Higher-Level TA. I’m elated to say I graduated with a First-Class BA Honours Degree when I was 50 – living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams!

Sarah

Kelly

Counselling and Psychology

I always knew that a career focused around helping people achieve their goals was perfect for me. That’s why I became a tutor. I love to see my student’s confidence flourish as they progress through their courses. It’s important to help them fit their learning goals around their personal commitments so they have the best chance of success! 

Kelly, tutor