Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) - Level 3
Overview
This course will provide you with a recognised early years qualification, whether you already work within a day nursery or foundation stage care/educational setting or looking to do so.
You may be employed or volunteering as an early years assistant, early years educator, nursery assistant, early years special educational needs assistant or wish to become a volunteer early year’s educator within a day nursery or foundation stage unit in a primary school.
On successful completion of this course students will be awarded the NCFE CACHE Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (EYE) - Level 3.
Start dates and fees
There are two intakes for this course during an academic year, please contact the college for the specific dates on 0808 100 3626.
Cost
£2,882
The early years sector has currently got a shortage in staff, if you're over 19 and don't have a level 3 qualification, this course will be paid by the government and will be FREE for you.
The course fee can either be paid in full or in four instalments.
If you wish to pay in instalments, you will be required to pay 25% (£720.50) of the total fee on the day of enrolment and a Direct Debit mandate would then need to be completed to enable the college to collect a further three payments of £720.50 bi-monthly. The payments will be taken on the date you choose on the Direct Debit mandate form.
Please contact the college’s finance department for further details on 0808 100 3626.
| Start Date | Code | Annual Fee (Age) | Actions |
| over 19 |
| 05/02/2025 | 1467A1643 | FREE* to £2882.00 | Apply |
| 03/09/2025 | 1467A1642 | FREE* to £2882.00 | Apply |
| 04/02/2026 | 1467A1643 | FREE* to £2882.00 | Apply |
* If you are aged 19-23 and studying your first Level 3 course then that course may be free. Please contact us for more details. If you are aged 19 or over and either studying a second Level 3 course or qualifying Level 4, 5 or 6 course you may be able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the costs.
What will I study?
- Health and well-being
- Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
- Play, development and learning for school readiness
- Professional development
Entry requirements
This course is only available to those aged 19 years and over.
- Completion of the Principles in Childcare and Education (PCE) 11-week induction course and a satisfactory DBS check if you're not currently in employment within an early years or foundation stage classroom environment including a day nursery setting.
- Or you're already employed within an early years or foundation stage classroom environment working with children.
- GCSE English and maths at grade 4/C or higher, or functional skills, if you don't have these qualifications you can take functional skills alongside this course.
How long is the course?
18 months.
You must either be in employment or volunteering (for a minimum of 6 hours per week) in a nursery or foundation stage in a primary school during the school term over the 18 month period.
You will attend college for 16 weeks and the remainder of your course will take place through one-to-one reviews where you will meet with your assessor on mutually agreed dates and times.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through coursework, one-to-one reviews and observation of practice within the early years sector.
What does the course lead to?
Upon achievement of this qualification you will gain a licence to practise and it is intended that you will be able to enter a workplace as an early years educator.
You can progress into various job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors such as:
Career opportunities