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Free Level 3 Early Years Educator Course Online – Cambridgeshire County Council

CostFREE
Duration21 months
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryOnline
StartFlexible
Study modePart-time
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 3 Early Years Educator Course. Study online. You attend weekly interactive online sessions during term time, so you can keep working in your setting while you study. This course is recognised as full and relevant by the Department for Education, making it count toward statutory staffing ratios in early years settings. You need to be working at least 16 hours a week with children to take part. The course typically takes 21 months part-time.

Who this course is for

This qualification is recognised as 'full and relevant' by the Department of Education and aimed at experienced practitioners who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the early years workforce. Throughout this course Learners will be required to attend weekly online training sessions during term time. The sessions will be interactive drawing best practice and underpin knowledge to enable to learner to gain evidence for their portfolio. Learner work will be assessed by various methods which include; written tasks, work products, observation in the work place, professional discussion and reflective practice. Learners will complete an application form and be invited to an initial interview with the course tutor to discuss thier level of understanding currently, their learning expereinces, their reasons for wishing to do the course and future aspirations.

Entry requirements

Learner must be 19 years plus, working in an early years setting for a minimum of 16 hours a week. The learner must be engaging with the children in daily routines and activities and be in a position to plan and implement activities. The learner will also be required to have good spoken and written English, work alongside colleagues, parents and carers to support children and babies, and support children's care plans. If the learner does not work with all the age ranges stated in the qual

What you will learn

  • You'll develop a deeper understanding of child development from birth to five years.
  • You'll learn how to plan and implement activities that support children's learning.
  • You'll build knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
  • You'll explore how to support children's care plans alongside parents, carers, and colleagues.
  • You'll understand the legal and statutory frameworks that govern early years settings.
  • You'll learn how to observe, assess, and record children's progress.
  • You'll develop skills in supporting children's communication, language, and literacy.

How you will learn

You attend weekly online training sessions during term time. Sessions are interactive and draw on best practice to help you build evidence for your portfolio. Your work is assessed through a portfolio of evidence gathered in your workplace setting, alongside other assessment methods. Because you're working in an early years setting throughout the course, your day-to-day practice forms a core part of how you demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Cambridgeshire County Council will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: how to become a nursery practitioner in a registered setting
  • Room leader: lead a room in a nursery or pre-school
  • Key person: assigned key worker for children and families
  • Early years educator: counted in statutory staffing ratios at Level 3
  • Pre-school worker: support learning and development in pre-school
  • Childminder: run your own registered childminding provision
  • Family support worker: work with families in early intervention services

What you could study next

With a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, you could move toward a Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner, which develops leadership and specialist skills. A Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner qualification prepares you for senior roles, including room leader and deputy manager positions. Some practitioners go on to study Early Childhood Education at degree level, which can open routes into teaching or specialist advisory roles.

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