Free or reduced fees may be available, depending on your circumstances. Peter Symonds College lists a fee of £2,882 if you're not eligible. Contact Peter Symonds College for more info.
Early Years Educator Level 3 Course in Winchester. Classes run at Peter Symonds College three hours a week, so you can keep up your work or volunteering placement alongside your studies. This level 3 early years educator course is designed for people already working or volunteering in an early years setting with children from birth to five years. You'll spend the first few months in taught sessions, then move into workplace assessment. The course typically takes 12 to 15 months to complete. Level 3 Early Years Educator is the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work, though you'll also need GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above (or equivalent) by the time you finish.
Who this course is for
This is a part-time course for people already working or volunteering in an Early Years setting with children from birth to 5 years. The course involves attending college for three hours a week for 29 weeks and attending your Early Years placement alongside this. Class sessions are taught up for the first few months and assessment in the work place will follow on from this until completion. Qualification take between 12 -15 months to complete.Topics covered will include: Health and Well being; Legislation, frameworks and professional practice, Play learning and development for school readiness, and professional development.Students who successfully complete this course may consider applying for the Foundation Degree in Early Years and the BA (Hons) Top-Up course both available at the college. See degree programmes for further information.
Entry requirements
Maths and English GCSE grade C and above (or equivalent) are required by the end of the qualification enabling you to be a licenced practitioner.
What you will learn
You'll develop knowledge of children's health and wellbeing from birth to five years.
You'll learn how to plan and support children's learning and development.
You'll understand safeguarding responsibilities and how to keep children safe.
You'll explore how to work in partnership with parents and carers.
You'll build skills in observing and assessing children's progress.
You'll learn how to support children's communication, language, and literacy development.
You'll understand inclusive practice and how to support children with additional needs.
How you will learn
You'll attend college classes for three hours a week over 29 weeks. Taught sessions run for the first few months, covering topics including health and wellbeing. Workplace assessment then follows in your early years placement until you complete the qualification. Assessment takes place in your work setting, so you'll need to be working or volunteering in an early years environment throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Peter Symonds College will confirm anything else you need before you start. You will need access to an early years placement with children from birth to five years for the workplace assessment element of the course.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery practitioner: work in a nursery counted in statutory ratios
Room leader: lead a room within a nursery or pre-school setting
Key person: take responsibility for a group of children's development
Pre-school assistant: support learning in a pre-school or playgroup
Childminder: register with Ofsted to work independently with children
Early years teaching assistant: support learning in a Reception class
What you could study next
Early Childhood Studies degree: a Level 6 route for those wanting to move into management, research, or specialist roles in early years.
Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS): for those who want to lead practice and work toward qualified teacher recognition in early years settings.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (Children and Young People): suited to those moving into supervisory or management roles in childcare.
