Early Years Educator (Working in Early Years) - Level 3
Summary
Are you ready to take your early years career to the next level? This course is a nationally recognised qualification that prepares you to work independently with children from birth to five years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. It’s ideal for those already working or volunteering in early years settings who want to become fully qualified practitioners.
This course develops your understanding of child development, safeguarding, play and inclusive practice, while building the practical skills needed to plan, lead and evaluate learning activities. With a strong focus on professional practice and reflective learning, this diploma equips you to take on key worker responsibilities and progress into leadership roles in nurseries, preschools and other early years environments.
Looking to build a career in Teaching, Early Years or Health & Social Care?
Entry Requirements
Technical Entry Requirements:
- Age: 19 years or over (19+)
Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:
- DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is essential for those working with children and young people. This is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.
- English and Maths:
- Learners must hold a Level 2 English qualification (e.g. GCSE or Functional Skills) to be counted in staff-to-child ratios at Level 3.
- A Level 2 Maths qualification is not required to meet ratio requirements, but from January 2024, it will be required for those entering or working in a managerial role.
These requirements ensure learners are prepared for both the academic and practical demands of the course, and for employment in regulated early years settings.
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
This qualification prepares you for a wide range of professional roles in early years settings, where you’ll take on responsibilities for supporting children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. As a qualified Early Years Educator, you’ll be able to work independently and will also meet the requirements for employment in regulated childcare environments.
There are plenty of direct employment opportunities having studied this qualification including work in nurseries, preschools and other early years settings. However, the diploma also provides a strong foundation for further study in areas such as early childhood education, primary teaching, or child psychology.
This course also forms the foundation for further study and progression within the Working in Early Years Pathway, which includes the following courses.
WORKING IN EARLY YEARS PATHWAY
- Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (Working in Early Years) - Level 2
- Early Years Practitioner (Working in Early Years) - Level 2
Next steps at B&FC
progress to higher-level study such as:
- Early Childhood Studies - Foundation Degree
- Teaching and Learning Support - Foundation Degree
- Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges (SEND Pathway) - Level 4
These options support your development into senior roles and open pathways into teaching, management, or specialist early years support.
Employment Opportunities
This qualification enables you to work in a wide range of regulated early years settings, taking on key responsibilities for children’s learning, development, and care. As a qualified Early Years Educator, you’ll be able to work independently and contribute to planning and delivering high-quality early education.
Potential job roles include:
Early Years Educator | Nursery Practitioner | Preschool Room Leader | Childminder | Early Years SEN Support Assistant | Teaching Assistant (Early Years)
Key information
Qualification obtained
Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) (Diploma)Fees and funding
Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.
To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.
Extra costs and equipment
There are no additional costs associated with this course.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institution: N/A
Awarding Body: NCFE
Terms and conditions
Read our full Terms and Conditions for more information.
What will I learn?
This course develops your knowledge, skills, and confidence to work independently with children from birth to five years, while also gaining an understanding of children aged five to seven. You’ll explore how to support learning, development, and wellbeing in line with national standards for Early Years Educators.
You will study the following units:
- Introduction to the role of the early years educator – Understand the responsibilities, expectations, and professional standards of working in early years.
- Holistic child development – Explore how children grow and develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively.
- Safeguarding, health and safety and wellbeing – Learn how to protect children and promote a safe, healthy environment.
- Understanding legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children – Gain knowledge of key legislation and your role in safeguarding practice.
- Use of observation, assessment and planning – Develop skills to observe children, assess their progress, and plan appropriate learning experiences.
- Promoting play in early years settings – Understand the importance of play and how to support different types of play.
- Developing professional partnerships – Learn how to work effectively with parents, carers, and other professionals.
- Promoting professional development – Reflect on your own practice and identify ways to improve and grow as a practitioner.
- Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion – Explore how to create inclusive environments that value and support all children.
- Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – Understand how to meet the needs of children with SEND and promote inclusive practice.
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
This qualification requires learners to complete a minimum of 350 hours of mandatory work/industry placement experience throughout the course. These placements must be in appropriate early years settings and are essential for developing the practical skills and professional competence required for certification.
Wherever possible, learners will be in settings with a Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating. Those in settings requiring improvement may benefit from additional or varied experience during their training.
At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we also enhance your learning through guest speakers and employer engagement activities, including visits from early years professionals, safeguarding specialists, and family support workers. These sessions provide valuable insights into current practice and help you connect your learning to real-world experiences.
How will I learn?
Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.
Teaching takes place in hybrid classrooms, allowing for interactive, tutor-led sessions that support both classroom-based and remote participation when appropriate. The programme primarily focuses on developing your theoretical knowledge, supported by practical, hands-on activities that help you apply what you’ve learned to real-world care scenarios.
This flexible yet structured approach ensures that you receive the guidance, peer interaction and practical experience needed to succeed in the health and social care sector through:
Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.
Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.
Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.
Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.
How will I be assessed?
Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.
Assessment Methods:
- Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
- Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate support.
Grading:
- The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
- The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.