- Services and CPD
- South Farnham School's Courses
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
This qualification helps learners gain the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to work in an early years setting and be included in staff to child ratios. Learners will be prepared to work with children from birth to five years old, and they will learn about children up to seven years old.
This qualification covers the knowledge and skills required by the Department for Education Early Years Educator (DfE EYE) criteria. It fully aligns with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) outlined in the Early Years Educator occupational standard ST0135 in England.
Course Duration: 1 year launching in April 2025.
Course fee: £500 per participant.
- English and Maths GCSE (or equivalent) at Grade 3 or above.
- Aged 16 or over.
- Have at least 3 months prior experience of working/volunteering in an EYFS childcare setting for at least 15 hours/ 2 days a week. A reference from this setting will be required.
- Confirmation of a DBS check which states you are suitable to work with children.
- Regular access to a computer.
- Basic IT skills.
- By the end of the course, learners will need to have completed a minimum of 350 hours through either working, volunteering or on a practical placement in an early years setting. An important part of the assessment process involves evaluating skills in real working situations.
- Please note that childminders must be working with a minimum of 3 children in order to be observed by the assessor and working alongside the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage)
- This qualification is assessed internally and externally quality assured through a portfolio of evidence.
- To be awarded this qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve 10 mandatory units/95 credits.
Work placement experience
To successfully achieve this qualification, learners must complete a work or industry placement throughout the duration of the programme.
Each unit includes guided learning hours (GLH) that cover both knowledge and skills gained from the work placement. Learners are required to complete at least 350 hours of work placement.
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following:
- Educator in day nurseries
- Educator in nursery schools
- Educator in reception classes in primary schools
- Pre-school worker
- further education:
- NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner (610/4163/4)
- higher education – personal statements may be accepted by universities
Assessment decisions for knowledge-based learning outcomes (LOs) must be made by a qualified member of staff who has the relevant occupational knowledge. Assessors from South Farnham will take responsibility for all assessment decisions. Mentors from placement settings, who are both competent and qualified, will use direct observation to assess practical skills-based outcomes.