Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) - Level 3 Diploma

The course has been designed to equip you with the skills to work with children from 0-5 years old. It will provide you with a licence to practice and the status of Early Years Educator, and you will be qualified to take on a wide variety of roles, both at home and abroad. You will learn about childcare and education, including supporting young children and helping them develop through learning activities and play.

This course consists of two separate qualifications. In your first year of study, you will work towards a Technical Certificate in Childcare and Education. Following successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to progress to the Technical Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator). 

Topics covered can include:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Legislation
• Frameworks and Professional Practice
• Play, Development and Learning for School Readiness
• Professional Development

You will need:

• Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language or Maths or an equivalent Level 2 qualification at Merit or above
• An Enhanced DBS check
• A reference showing you have had at least two weeks' of work experience with children aged under 7 

All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

You will complete assignments and externally-assessed online tests. All of your work must be collected in a portfolio of evidence and cross-referenced to qualification requirements. An important part of the assessment process is evaluating skills in real, working situations. Therefore, the practical work you do in the childcare setting will be observed by your assessor.

School Leavers

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August in the year you begin your course, and have been resident in the UK/EU/EEA for the past 3 years, it will be free. Some courses will have other costs associated, such as for materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support when studying at college – please click here for more information.

This course will help you to move on to apprenticeship, or employment within the childcare sector.