Free Level 3 Childcare and Education Course in Southend-on-Sea. Classes run at South Essex College Southend Campus. You'll study full-time over two years, covering child development, safeguarding, behaviour, equality and diversity, and working with parents and carers. A key part of the course is an industry placement of at least 750 hours, where you'll develop hands-on skills in an early years setting. You'll need four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths, to enrol. This is the childcare and education qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work. NCFE Technical Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) with certificate.
Who this course is for
Student will gain core knowledge in a variety of areas including:
Child Development
Behaviour
Parents, families and carers
Safeguarding, health and safety & wellbeing
Equality & Diversity
Entry requirements
GCSEs x 4 at grade 4, including ENGLISH and MATHS
What you will learn
You'll understand how children develop physically, emotionally, and cognitively.
You'll learn how to support and promote children's play and early education.
You'll develop skills in safeguarding and promoting children's health, safety, and wellbeing.
You'll learn how to plan, provide, and review care and educational activities.
You'll build relationships with children to support their development.
You'll work in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers, and other professionals.
You'll understand equality, diversity, and inclusive practice in early years settings.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at South Essex College Southend Campus, covering theory across child development, safeguarding, behaviour, and equality. Alongside classroom study, you'll complete a minimum 750-hour industry placement with an employer over the two years. Regular progress review meetings are built into the placement to support your development. Assessment combines your classroom learning with evidence from your placement.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. South Essex College Southend Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery practitioner: work directly with children aged 0 to 5.
Room leader: take responsibility for a nursery room and team.
Early years educator: counted in statutory staffing ratios at Level 3.
Childminder: run your own registered childcare setting.
Teaching assistant (early years): support learning in Reception classes.
Playworker: lead play sessions in out-of-school clubs or holiday schemes.
What you could study next
Level 5 Early Childhood Studies Degree (Foundation Degree): a natural next step if you want to move into senior or management roles in early years settings.
Level 6 BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies: leads toward qualified teacher status or senior leadership in early years.
Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS): the graduate-level route to becoming a qualified early years teacher, recognised by Ofsted.
