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

New from September 2024

This qualification is aimed at people who are seeking to develop skills and knowledge in the early years and to be counted in Staff: Child ratios.

This qualification includes both knowledge and skills that meet the Department for Education Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria in full and map to the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) within the EYE occupational standard ST0135 in England.

This qualification requires learners to complete a mandatory work/industry placement experience throughout the qualification, before certification. The skills-based learning outcomes associated with work placement experience have been included as part of guided learning (GL) hours within each unit (where relevant). The GL has been allocated as knowledge and work placement experience to support delivery. The total number of mandatory work placement hours is a minimum of 300 hours. However, it is recommended that learners undertake 350 hours where possible.

Training

Learners will attend mandatory training sessions online to gain a deeper understanding of early years practice, theories, legislation, holistic child development, safeguarding and welfare requirements, SEND, assessment of child development, health well-being and safety, working in partnership, holistic approaches to play, effective communication, approaches to the assessment of children’s learning and development and expected to work towards completing an e-portfolio of evidence.

Assessment and evidence methods will include:

• Written tasks
• Work products
• Observation in the workplace
• Professional discussion
• Reflective accounts
• Expert witness testimony.