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Level 3 Early Years Educator Course Online – London Cactus College

CostFREE
Duration12 months
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryOnline
StartFlexible
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 3 Early Years Educator Course. Study online at your own pace through London Cactus College. You'll need access to a workplace or voluntary placement with children to complete the practical elements. The course covers child development from birth to age five, safeguarding, play, communication, SEND, and curriculum planning. It typically takes 12 months to complete. Level 3 Early Years Educator is the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery and early years settings in England.

Who this course is for

This course is ideal for individuals currently working or volunteering in a nursery, preschool, or childcare setting, as well as school leavers or career changers who wish to enter the early years workforce. It is also suitable for anyone looking to gain a full and recognised qualification to work in childcare, or learners aiming to progress to Level 4/5 childcare qualifications or early years teaching pathways. No prior qualifications are required; however, access to a real work placement is necessary to complete the practical elements.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be aged 16 or over, with no formal academic qualifications required. While some centres may request GCSEs or Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths, as well as basic IT literacy, the key requirement is access to a workplace placement. Learners must be working or volunteering with children, typically for 8–15 hours per week, and must also have access to a PC or laptop to complete coursework.

What you will learn

  • You'll understand how children develop from birth to age five, with knowledge extending to age seven.
  • You'll learn how to support children's learning through play and planned activities.
  • You'll apply safeguarding and welfare requirements in an early years setting.
  • You'll develop effective communication skills for working with children, families, and colleagues.
  • You'll learn how to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
  • You'll plan and promote an effective early years curriculum.
  • You'll assess and record children's learning and development.
  • You'll understand health, wellbeing, and safety in early years environments.

How you will learn

You'll study online via Teams, with blended learning elements. Assessment is through a portfolio of evidence built up over the course, supported by workplace observation. You'll need to be working or volunteering with children for around 8 to 15 hours per week to complete the practical elements. You'll also need access to a PC or laptop to complete your coursework.

What you will need to bring

You'll need access to a PC or laptop to study and complete coursework. You'll also need a workplace or voluntary placement where you work with children, typically for 8 to 15 hours per week. London Cactus College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery practitioner: working with children aged 0 to 5 in a nursery setting.
  • Room leader: leading a room or age-group within a nursery.
  • Early years keyworker: providing focused support for individual children.
  • Preschool assistant: supporting learning and play in a preschool.
  • Childminder: running a registered home-based childcare setting.
  • SEND support worker: supporting children with additional needs in early years.

What you could study next

  • Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner: deepens your specialist knowledge and can support a move into senior or advisory roles.
  • Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services: suited to those moving into management or leadership in early years settings.
  • Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT): for those aiming to qualify as an Early Years Teacher and work toward Early Years Teacher Status.
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