Free Level 3 The Children's Workforce (Early Years Educator) Course in Greenwich. Classes run at JFC Training College one day a week, with the rest of your learning taking place in a childcare setting. This is the qualification recognised for working as an Early Years Educator with children from birth to 5 years. The course covers health and wellbeing, legislation and professional practice, and play and development for school readiness. You'll build a portfolio of work-based evidence rather than sit exams. The course runs over 40 weeks. You'll need GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills in both subjects, to enrol.
Who this course is for
The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) prepares learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years.
Entry requirements
All learners applying for this job should be at least 19 years of age, and have a good understanding of written and spoken English. Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement as they will need to show competence in both knowledge and skills.
What you will learn
You'll learn how to support children's health, wellbeing, and physical development from birth to 5 years.
You'll study child development and how to plan activities that prepare children for school readiness.
You'll learn about safeguarding legislation, frameworks, and your professional responsibilities in an early years setting.
You'll develop knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years alongside your core birth-to-5 practice.
You'll learn how to observe and assess children's progress and record evidence of their development.
You'll understand how play supports learning and how to create environments that encourage it.
How you will learn
You'll attend one day a week of face-to-face classes at JFC Training College. Alongside this, you'll collect work-based evidence through a suitable childcare placement, volunteering role, or paid work in an early years setting. There are no exams. Assessment is through coursework and a portfolio, assessed by your tutor. You must pass all units and demonstrate competence in a real work environment to gain the qualification.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. JFC Training College will confirm anything else you need before you start. You will need to arrange a suitable childcare placement, volunteering role, or paid work in an early years setting before the course begins, as work-based evidence is a core part of the qualification.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery practitioner. Work with children from birth to 5 in a nursery setting.
Room leader. Lead a room in a nursery or early years setting.
Early years educator. Qualified role in statutory staffing ratios at nurseries and pre-schools.
Childminder. Work independently with children in a home setting.
Pre-school assistant. Support learning and play in a pre-school environment.
Children's centre worker. Support families and young children in a community setting.
What you could study next
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services. Moves you toward senior or management roles in early years settings.
Early Childhood Studies degree. A university route for those wanting to deepen their understanding of child development or move into advisory, research, or specialist roles.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training. Useful if you want to support or mentor others in a childcare or training context.
