NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

About This Course

This is the most recent version of the Early Years Educator (EYE) qualification, and replaces all previous versions. 

Begin your journey to becoming an integral part of the early years education workforce with this online NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) course.

On completion of this course, learners will be eligible for inclusion in the staff-to-child ratio at level 3.

This course explores fostering a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and physical activity, enhancing children’s communication abilities, and understanding crucial aspects of safeguarding, health, and safety regulations.

While the course primarily focuses on acquiring knowledge and practical experience in working with children aged 0 to 5, learners will also have the opportunity to gain insights into working with children aged 5 to 7.

Course Benefits

• A ‘Full and Relevant’ qualification, accepted by the Department for Education (DfE) to work in an early years setting.
• Be included in the staff-to-child ratio for level 3, within a childcare setting.
• Become an NCFE CACHE Alumni member for two years.

Course Units

Qualification Number: 610/4164/6 (formerly 601/2629/2)

Unit 1: Introduction to the role of the early years educator (T/651/1390)

Unit 2: Holistic child development (Y/651/1391)

Unit 3: Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) (A/651/1392)

Unit 4: Effective communication in an early years setting (D/651/1393)

Unit 5: Safeguarding and welfare requirements (F/651/1394)

Unit 6: Health, wellbeing and safety (H/651/1395)

Unit 7: Promoting an effective early years curriculum (J/651/1396)

Unit 8: Assessment of children’s learning and development (K/651/1397)

Unit 9: Understanding play for holistic development and learning (L/651/1398)

Unit 10: Partnership working (M/651/1399)

Assessment

This course is assessed using a series of assignments that are designed to test your knowledge of the course materials. You’ll access your learning materials and submit your work online using our learner management system. Your expert assessor will mark your work and guide you throughout the programme.

You will need to complete a work placement of at least 350 hours in order to gain your qualification. Your placement can be paid or voluntary, and must be completed in a childcare setting, working with children aged 0-5 years old. You will need to be in your work placement for the whole duration of the course.

This course contains practical elements that will need to be witnessed in your place of work by a member of staff who meets the following requirements, as set by the awarding body: be qualified to a minimum of Level 3 Early Years, have up-to-date CV and CPD records, and has completed an induction with our QA team to cover the requirements of the course assessments (and sign a document to evidence this).

Required Knowledge

No previous qualifications are needed to enrol or complete this course.

However, to be counted in the staff to child ratio at level 3, you must possess a level 2 English qualification – normally an English GCSE at grade C minimum (grade 4 in the new GCSE grading system).

If you do not have a suitable English qualification, you can also enrol on our English GCSE course, and gain both qualifications with us.

Please note: It is no longer a requirement to possess a level 2 Maths qualification to be counted in the staff to child ratio at level 3, unless the role is managerial.

Awarding Body

Once you successfully complete the course, you will obtain a certification in Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) at NCFE CACHE Level 3. You will receive a certificate as recognition of your achievement.

NCFE is an educational charity as well as a leading provider of vocational and technical courses. With over 170 years of experience in providing an exceptional educational experience, NCFE collaborates with industry experts to develop smarter solutions to the most pressing learning needs. They are one of the largest technical and vocational awarding bodies in the United Kingdom, with thousands of people receiving qualifications each year. CACHE (The Council for Awards in Care, Health, and Education) joined NCFE in 2015.

After enrolling in your NCFE CACHE course, you will have two years of access to the NCFE CACHE Alumni membership. NCFE CACHE Alumni is a professional membership network for those working in the care, health, and education industries, offering valuable resources and advice for those studying for/with an NCFE CACHE qualification.

Support

We take pride in helping our students at all stages of their development, so whilst this course may be designed for home study, you can enrol knowing that you’ll be fully supported throughout your course. You’ll receive 12 months of tutor support, who will always be on hand to lend you their advice, guidance and instruction. On top of this, they will lend their expertise to your written assignments, providing you with valuable feedback and tips.

Similarly, our student support team are only a click away, meaning you never have to feel alone in your studies.