Post A Job
Advertise Courses
Search Jobs
Search Courses

Level 5 Early Years Senior Practitioner Course Online

CostFREE
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 5
DeliveryOnline
Start4 Sep 2026
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 5 The Early Years Senior Practitioner Course. Study online with South Essex College. You study at your own pace, fitting the course around your work and home life. It builds leadership and management skills for senior roles in early years settings, covering best practice, legislation, and working with colleagues, other professionals, and parents. You'll need a Level 3 Early Years Practitioner qualification, maths and English at grade C or Level 4 or above, and be working in a leader, deputy, or manager role. The course typically takes 2 years.

Who this course is for

This level 5 Diploma in Early Years will support leadership and management skills within Early Years and the knowledge and skills relating to the Early Years practice.

The Early Years Senior Practitioner will be a positive role model for the team. Through clear leadership and effective management, the Senior Practitioner will support and promote best practice within legislative requirements to enable quality provision. Working collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and parents/carers the Senior Practitioner engages and motivates all involved for improved outcomes for babies and children.

This qualification is suitable for learners already working in the early years sector in a managerial role, as well as learners that may wish to develop their career or increase understanding through professional development.

Entry requirements

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner Maths and English at Grade C / Level 4 or above Working in the role of leader, deputy or manager in an appropriate setting.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop leadership and management skills for early years settings.
  • You'll learn how to promote and support best practice within legislative requirements.
  • You'll build knowledge of quality provision and how to maintain it.
  • You'll learn how to work collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals, and parents or carers.
  • You'll develop skills to act as a positive role model and mentor for your team.
  • You'll deepen your understanding of early years practice at a senior level.

How you will learn

This is an online course, so you study through digital materials and resources in your own time. Assessment is based on your practice in the workplace, so you'll need to be working in an early years setting in a leadership or management role throughout the course. You'll build a portfolio of evidence drawn from your day-to-day work, demonstrating your skills and knowledge against the qualification requirements.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. South Essex College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Nursery manager: lead a nursery team and oversee daily operations.
  • Deputy nursery manager: support the manager and step up when needed.
  • Room leader: lead a room team within a nursery or early years setting.
  • Early years SENCO: coordinate support for children with additional needs.
  • Early years consultant: advise settings on quality and practice improvement.
  • Childcare centre manager: manage a private or local authority childcare centre.

What you could study next

  • Level 6 or 7 qualifications in Early Childhood Studies or Education Leadership: for those moving into strategic or academic roles.
  • Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS): if you want to work as a qualified early years teacher in England.
  • Foundation Degree in Early Childhood: a stepping stone toward full degree-level study if you want to progress into higher education.
Apply on southessex.ac.uk →
Apply now →

Related courses at South Essex College

More courses near you