Early Years Educator - Level 3 Summary Where can this subject lead? Key information What will I learn? How will I learn? How will I be assessed? Summary The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) prepares learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with and care for children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. Upon achievement of this qualification it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.This qualification combined with the Government requirements for maths and English qualifications (GCSE English and maths grade C, or L2 Functional Skills) to count in the Level 3 staff: child ratios in childcare settings. You will need to be working, volunteering or on a practical placement as an important part of the assessment process involves evaluating skills in real working situations. We recommend 350 hours across the age ranges.The course is delivered remotely and runs over 35 weeks with 5 hours of scheduled contact time each week. You will be assigned a subject specialist course tutor who will deliver the live scheduled sessions. The tutor will also be available for weekly support and to guide you from the beginning to the completion of your qualification. Next course dates Start date Location Duration 10 Sep 2025 Bispham Campus 27 Weeks Apply now Where can this subject lead? Career progressionUpon successful completion of this qualification learners can enter the workforce as a qualified Level 3 Early Years Practitioner.This will open up opportunities such as progression within a nursery environment to room leader and management positions and also enables further studies at Foundation Degree level. Key information Entry RequirementsYou must be over 19 on the 31st August before the course start date. We recommend that to ensure that you meet the license to practice requirement and prior to starting the course that you hold as a minimum GCSE English grade C or Level 2 Functional Skills.It is possible to then complete the required maths qualification (if this has not already been achieved) alongside. Consideration will be given to those who do not hold GCSE English grade C, or L2 Functional Skills at the time of enrolment but may be required to undergo a diagnostic to ascertain level. Qualification obtainedDiploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) Fees and fundingRead our tuition fees guide. Extra costs and equipmentAs this course is delivered online, regular access to IT is essential in order to attend the sessions and to complete the assessment tasks/electronic workbooks.You may need to consider any costs that you would incur to attend placement. Some support with travel and childcare costs may be available.All other equipment/resources you require for this course are provided by B&FC at no extra cost. Regulation and AccreditationAccrediting Institution: N/AAwarding Body: NCFE Terms and conditionsRead our full Terms and Conditions for more information. What will I learn? Industry placement, field trips and guest speakersPlacement required in early years setting for a minimum of 6 hours per week for the full duration of the courses.This should provide access to a range of age groups from 2 - 5 years and ideally from 0 - 5 years. How will I learn? Your course will begin with you attending college for an induction session to meet the curriculum team.The course will then be delivered remotely with live lectures and support sessions schedule for a total of 5 hours a week for 35 weeks (term time only).Within these sessions there will be tutor delivery, question and answer, discussion, group work tasks and individual tasks.Approximately every 5 weeks you will attend College for a small group seminar within your scheduled delivery time.All dates for college attendance will be provided at the start of your course.You will also have regular contact with your assessor throughout your course who will also attend your placement to observe the development of your skills in practice.It is expected that you will complete a minimum of 4 hours independent study, each week, outside of the class to complete the assessment tasks which take the form of electronic workbooks. Expert tutorsAll staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. How will I be assessed? How will I be assessed?To gain this qualification, learners must achieve a total of 61 credits from all 23 mandatory units. These are split over 3 themes as follows: Theme 1: Health and well-beingUnit 1.1 Support healthy lifestyles for children through the provision of food and nutritionUnit 1.2 Support healthy lifestyles for children through exerciseUnit 1.3 Support physical care routines for childrenUnit 1.4 Promote children’s emotional well-beingUnit 1.5 Understand how to support children who are unwell Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practiceUnit 2.2 Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of childrenUnit 2.3 Use legislation relating to the health and safety of childrenUnit 2.4 Follow legislation relating to equality, diversity and inclusive practiceUnit 2.5 Working in partnershipUnit 4.1 Engage in professional development Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readinessUnit 3.1 Understand the value of play in Early YearsUnit 3.2 Plan, lead and review play opportunities which support children’s learning and developmentUnit 3.4 Promote enabling play environmentsUnit 3.5 Developing children’s emergent literacy skillsUnit 3.6 Developing children’s emergent mathematical skillsUnit 3.7 Support children’s transition to schoolUnit 3.9 Develop children’s cognitive skillsUnit 3.10 Promote children’s speech, language and communicationUnit 3.11 Promoting children’s physical developmentUnit 3.12 Promoting children’s personal, social and emotional developmentUnit 3.13 Support children with additional needsUnit 3.14 Use observation, assessment and planning to promote the development of childrenUnit 3.15 Use longitudinal studies to observe, assess and plan for children’s needs All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods including written assignments or tasks such as designing a leaflet or poster, charts, using case studies or a workbook.You will be required to complete assignments throughout the duration of this course, which will be expected to be completed on a weekly basis and uploaded to an electronic portfolio.