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Free Level 3 Early Years Educator Course Online – Derbyshire Adult Education Service

CostFREE
Duration216 hours
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryOnline
StartFlexible
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 3 Children's Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) Course. Study online. You can work through the course at your own pace, fitting study around your existing commitments. It covers child development, play and learning, safeguarding, health and well-being, and supporting children with additional needs. The course runs to 216 hours in total. Level 3 is the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work in England, so completing it opens doors to roles that require a qualified practitioner.

Who this course is for

Details not currently avalible

What you will learn

  • You'll understand how children develop from birth to five years, and beyond.
  • You'll learn how to plan and support play-based learning activities.
  • You'll study safeguarding principles and how to keep children safe.
  • You'll explore how to support children's health, well-being, and physical development.
  • You'll learn how to work with children who have additional needs or disabilities.
  • You'll understand how to communicate effectively with parents and carers.
  • You'll study the legal and statutory frameworks that govern early years settings.

How you will learn

You'll study online, working through course materials at your own pace. Assessment includes written assignments, observations in an early years setting, and a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your practice. Work-based evidence is a core part of the qualification, so you will need access to a suitable early years placement or employment setting to complete it. Derbyshire Adult Education Service will confirm the specific assessment requirements before you start.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Derbyshire Adult Education Service will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: qualified role counting in statutory staffing ratios
  • Room leader: leading a room within a nursery or pre-school
  • Early years key worker: supporting a group of children's individual development
  • Pre-school assistant: working in a pre-school or playgroup setting
  • Childminder: self-employed childcare in a home setting
  • Teaching assistant (early years): supporting reception classes in primary schools
  • Family support worker: working with families in children's centre settings

What you could study next

Once you hold the Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development (Early Years Educator), you could progress to a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification in Early Years Leadership and Management, which prepares you for deputy or nursery manager roles. A Level 6 Early Childhood Studies degree is another route if you want to move into advisory, specialist, or teaching roles. Some practitioners go on to complete Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) through a graduate programme.

Apply on derbyshire.gov.uk →
Apply now →

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