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Level 3 Early Years Educator Course in Hillingdon for 16 to 18 Year Olds

CostFree for 16 to 18 year olds
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
StartFlexible
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body

A sixth-form course for 16 to 18 year olds. Aged 19 or over? See Nursery Practitioner Courses in Hillingdon.

About this course

Level 3 Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) Course in Hillingdon. Classes run at Swakeleys School for Girls. This is a full-time, two-year daytime course covering child development, play, learning, and early years practice. The children's play, learning and development qualification is built around the knowledge and skills nurseries and early years settings expect at practitioner level. Level 3 is the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work in England, so completing it opens the door to roles that count toward those ratios.

Who this course is for

All learners

What you will learn

  • You'll study how children develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally from birth to age five.
  • You'll learn how to plan and support play-based learning activities.
  • You'll explore how to observe and assess children's progress.
  • You'll understand safeguarding, child protection, and your legal responsibilities.
  • You'll learn how to work in partnership with parents, carers, and other professionals.
  • You'll study health, wellbeing, and nutrition in early years settings.
  • You'll develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions at Swakeleys School for Girls, combining taught lessons with practical work placements in early years settings. Assessment includes assignments, observations of your practice, and a portfolio of evidence. The BTEC format means most assessment is coursework-based rather than written exams, though some units include externally assessed tasks set by Pearson Edexcel.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Swakeleys School for Girls will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: how to become a nursery practitioner with a Level 3 qualification
  • Room leader: lead a room in a nursery or pre-school setting
  • Early years keyworker: support individual children's development and welfare
  • Nursery nurse: work across baby, toddler, and pre-school rooms
  • Pre-school assistant: support learning in a pre-school or playgroup
  • Childminder: work independently with children in a home setting
  • Teaching assistant (EYFS): support reception-age children in primary schools

What you could study next

Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) in Children's Care, Learning and Development: moves into senior practitioner or management roles. Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies: a university-level route that can lead to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). Level 4 Award in Early Years Leadership: for those moving into supervisory or room-leader positions. Each step builds on the Level 3 children's play, learning and development qualification you'll already hold.

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