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Free Level 3 Early Years Educator Course in Burton-on-Trent

CostFREE
Duration18 months
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 3 Early Years Educator Course in Burton-on-Trent. Classes run at Burton Town Centre Campus, part-time during the day, over 18 months. You'll need at least 12 to 18 months of recent, continuous experience working or volunteering in an early years setting, plus a Level 2 subject-specific vocational qualification (or relevant occupational experience). The course covers child development, safeguarding, speech and language, and observations. You'll also need a work placement of at least two days a week throughout. This is the early years educator qualification that counts toward statutory staffing ratios in nursery settings.

Who this course is for

This course is for those who have 12-18 months recent, continuous experience volunteering or working in an early years setting and want a qualification that reflects existing skills and knowledge. This qualification will enable you to work with children from 0-7yrs as a room leader or above. It will cover topics such as positive relationships; speech, language and communication; child development; theories of development; observations; safeguarding and data management. This course requires you to be in a work placement for a minimum of 2 days per week and on average, 5-6 hours self-study for research and written evidence over 18 months.

Entry requirements

Applicants will be expected to have a recognised level 2 subject specific vocational qualification. If not already achieved, be working towards completing a level 2 literacy qualification.(or) Several years' occupational experience within relevant disciplines will also be considered

What you will learn

  • You'll develop your understanding of child development from birth to age 7.
  • You'll learn how to support speech, language, and communication in young children.
  • You'll study theories of development and how to apply them in practice.
  • You'll build skills in observing and assessing children's progress.
  • You'll understand how to foster positive relationships with children and families.
  • You'll cover safeguarding responsibilities and data management in early years settings.
  • You'll learn how to take on a room leader role or above within a nursery or early years setting.

How you will learn

You'll attend classroom sessions at Burton Town Centre Campus alongside completing a minimum of two days a week in a work placement. Assessment is through written evidence and research, requiring around five to six hours of self-study per week on average. Over the 18 months, you'll build a portfolio of evidence that reflects your skills and knowledge in a real early years setting.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Burton Town Centre Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start. You will need to arrange or already be in a work placement in an early years setting for a minimum of two days per week throughout the course.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: working with children aged 0 to 7 in a nursery
  • Room leader: leading a room within a nursery or early years setting
  • Early years educator: qualified role counting toward statutory staffing ratios
  • Nursery nurse: day-to-day care and learning support for young children
  • Pre-school practitioner: supporting children in pre-school or playgroup settings
  • Key person: assigned lead for specific children's welfare and development
  • Children's centre worker: supporting families and young children in community settings

What you could study next

With a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, you could move into leadership or specialist roles by studying further. A Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner develops specialist knowledge for senior practitioners. A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) prepares you for management roles in nursery or early years settings. Some graduates also go on to study Early Childhood Education at degree level through a university or Access to Higher Education route.

Apply on bsdc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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