Early Years Educator | Level 3

This qualification sets the standards that all early years practitioners must meet. You'll learn how to encourage healthy lifestyles for children, how to promote their emotional well-being, and how to support children who are unwell. The course also covers children’s literacy and mathematical skills, supporting younger children's transition to school, and supporting children with additional needs. You'll gain the insight needed to work in a variety of roles such as a nursery nurse, early years practitioner, reception class teacher or nanny, and how to engage in professional development to enhance your career.

Course Overview

Early Years Educators are highly trained professionals who play a key role in the development of children, supporting them to learn in a variety of settings including nurseries, children’s centres, pre-schools and childminders.

The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) prepares learners to work with children from birth to 7 years, and after completing this qualification, learners will be able to work in early years education and care.

What will I learn?

This 9 month course is made up of the following units:

Support healthy lifestyles for children through the provision of food and nutrition
Support healthy lifestyles for children through exercise
Support physical care routines for children
Promote children's emotional wellbeing
Understand how to support children who are unwell
Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children
Use legislation relating to the health and safety of children
Follow legislation relating to equality, diversity and inclusive practice
Working in partnership
Engage in professional development
Understand the value of play in early years
Plan, lead and review play opportunities which support children's learning and development
Promote enabling play environments
Developing children's emergent literacy skills
Developing children's emergent mathematical skills
Support children's transition to school
Develop children's cognitive skills
Promote children's speech, language and communication
Promoting children's physical development
Promoting children's personal, social and emotional development
Support children with additional needs
Use observation, assessment, and planning to promote the development of children
Use longitudinal studies to observe, assess and plan for children's needs.

Eligibility Criteria

This course is funded via the National Skills Fund. You will be eligible for funding if:

You earn less than £20,319 per year

You do not hold a Level 3 qualification in any subject (equivalent to 2 full A levels, an advanced technical certificate or diploma)

You must also:

Currently live in England
Resident in the UK/EU for 3+ years, for purposes other than study.

If you are not eligible for funding, you can fund your qualification with an Advanced Learner Loan with nothing to pay until you earn over £27k a year.

Access to practical placement:

Placements are required for achievement of this qualification. You will need to make arrangements for your placement, and prepare for four observations during the course of your study.

250k staff in early years provision in 2023

39k nurseries in the UK in 2023

22% of nurseries are state-funded

79% nursery staff have an Early Years qualification

Studying made simple!

We don't like to make things more complicated than they need to be... Our courses are designed to be flexible around your work and family life.

Step 1

Submit your enrolment form

You'll get instant access to begin your course

Step 2

We'll start processing your funding application

A tutor will be assigned to support you through your course, they can be contacted via phone, text or email

Step 3

You'll receive text reminders when your work is due

Your work will be marked by your Tutor and returned to you within 7 days.

Step 4

Submit your work

Once you've finished your course, we'll apply for your certificate. This will be posted to your home address within 6 months of completing your course.

Need support enrolling?

If you'd like support with your enrolment, or want to make sure this is the right course for you, fill out your details below and a member of the team will be in touch.