Course overview

The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) prepares learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. We are currently offering this course in Bridgwater on Mondays, Taunton on Tuesdays, Yeovil on Wednesdays and Fridays in Frome. We are also planning to offer an online learning option subject to demand.

Theme 1: Health and well-being

Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice

Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness

Learners must achieve:

23 mandatory units

Guided Learning 486 (hours)

Total Qualification Time 610 (hours)

Upon achievement of this qualification it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.

UCAS Points

This qualification has the following UCAS Points - P - 32.

This qualification is suitable for a range of learners, either working or wishing to work in early years education and care.

Early Years Educator: GCSE Requirements

From 3 April 2017, the requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYE) to hold GCSE English and maths A*-C, will be broadened to Level 2 qualifications, including Functional Skills.

This will enable staff with an EYE qualification and Level 2 English and mathematics qualifications to count in the Level 3 staff: child ratios in childcare settings. This includes those who already hold an EYE qualification, began studying an EYE from September 2014, or will achieve an EYE in the future.

Please refer to the Early Years Workforce Strategy (March 2017) for further details.

Course assessment

To gain this qualification the learner will need to:

Pass all units

Complete longitudinal study

Show competence in a real work environment

Placements are required for achievement of this qualification. A minimum of 350 placement hours is required. During placement, learners will need support from a professional within the real work environment who will be required to complete professional development records.

Course progression

Learners can progress to the Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner or other higher level early years qualifications.

Upon achievement of this qualification learners will gain their licence to practise and it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators. Learners can progress into various job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors such as:

Assistant in Children's Centres

Practitioner in nursery schools

Practitioner in reception classes in primary schools

Pre-school worker