NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector ( Early Years Educator)
Updated for 2024!
Earn while you learn!
The Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (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. Upon achievement of this qualification it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.
Entry requirements
This qualification is available for learners aged 16 and above and has no specific entry requirements, however learners might consider taking the Functional Skills* in Maths, English and ICT.
*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 also apply to an apprenticeship route. 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, and began studying an EYE from September 2014, or will achieve an EYE in the future.
Learners 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. 350 hours across the age ranges are recommended although 300 work/placement hours is minimum.
The total qualification time is 950 hours, with 864 guided learning hours (placement hours included)
We can help with paid work experience. Please contact us for more details about this.
Qualification achievement
To be awarded the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector ( Early Years Educator) learners must achieve a minimum of 61 credits coming from the mandatory units plus the Longitudinal Study.
There are mandatory units to complete for this course such as:
- Introduction to the role of the early years practitioner
- Holistic child development
- Children with special educational needs and disabilities
- Effective communication in an early years setting
- Safeguarding and welfare requirements
- Health, wellbeing and safety
- Promoting an effective early years curriculum
- Assessment of children's learning and development
- Partnership working
We provide you with support throughout your course,
and are always on hand to help guide you
Assessment of the qualification
To achieve the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector ( Early Years Educator) , learners must successfully demonstrate their achievement of all learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the units as detailed in this qualification specification
The qualification assesses the knowledge and performance of the learner in the workplace.
The knowledge will be assessed with the help of questions and answers, case studies, discussions with the assessors, recognition of prior learning and other methods that might be to the advantage of the learner.
To assess the performance of the learner, a work placement is needed so the Assessor can conduct at least two observations for the learner. The learner might need to provide pieces of evidence produced in the workplace.
For the learner without a work placement we can assist them in finding one.
What are the progression opportunities?
This qualification confirms competence and provides a ‘license to practice’ in the following work role:
- educator in day nurseries
- educator in nursery schools
- educator in reception classes in primary schools
- pre-school worker
Learners completing this qualification can progress to:
- NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner
- Higher education (personal statements may be accepted by universities)
Price including Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 and Paediatric First Aid
NCFE CACHE: £1920.00
Price including Functional skills Maths and English level 2 ( Tutor support pack )
NCFE CACHE £1850.00
Without functional skills
£1500.00
Instalment plan: £50 first payment , and instalments between £50 and £100/ month, you decide.