The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) Diploma is designed to prepare adult learners for a rewarding career in early years education. Aimed at learners aged 19 and above, the course develops the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to work with children from birth to five years, while also building understanding of children aged five to seven. It is intended for those who want to become qualified early years educators and be included in staff-to-child ratios in early years settings. This is a license to practice qualification therefore the sector requirement will also include achievement of Maths and English GCSEs or equivalent prior to starting the programme.
The programme covers a broad and in-depth range of topics, including child development, safeguarding, health and wellbeing, communication, special educational needs and disabilities, partnership working, curriculum, assessment, and the role of play in learning. Learners complete 10 mandatory units and gain substantial practical experience through at least a minimum of 300 hours of work placement, helping them apply theory in real settings. The qualification is aligned to the Early Years Educator occupational standard and supports progression into roles such as nursery educator, pre-school worker or reception class educator, as well as further study in early years and childcare.
You are expected to attend two days a week college lessons, and be in an Early Years placement working or volunteering for a further two more days.
Mandatory placement in an early years setting has to be completed in order to pass this course with children under the age of 5.
