The qualification meets the Department for Education’s (DfE) Level 3 full and relevant criteria for a Level 3 Early Years Educator.
Who is it suitable for?
How is this qualification structured?
This qualification is made up of 10 mandatory units
- Introduction to the role of the early years educator
- Holistic child development
- Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- Effective communication in an early years setting
- Safeguarding and welfare requirements
- Health, wellbeing and safety
- Promoting an effective early years curriculum
- Assessment of children’s learning and development
- Understanding play for holistic development and learning
- Partnership working
Learners must achieve all 10 units, equating to 95 credits, which include observational studies and competence in a real work environment.
How is it assessed?
Do you need to be working to enrol on this qualification?
This qualification requires learners to complete mandatory work/industry placement experience throughout the duration of the qualification. It is recommend that learners complete 350 placement hours whilst undertaking this qualification.
Learners must be in a position to become fully involved in all activities, particularly the observation of children. This qualification requires assessment in real working situations.
What are the entry requirements?
Learners must be aged 16 years or above and meet the criteria below:
- To be able to be assessed working with children aged 0-5 years.
- To be in a position to carry out 8 hours of study per week to complete the level 3 coursework
- To have the appropriate level of literacy and numeracy
- To have regular access to a pc or laptop which will allow you to access the online portfolio system (iPads/tablets/smart phones are not suitable)
- To be able to use the internet, send and receive emails with attachments, complete written work using a computer (with Microsoft Word) and be generally IT-literate.
- To be working or volunteering for a minimum of 8 hours a week. This ideally should be across 2 or more days to ensure consistency with key children.
- To have, or be able to shadow a colleague working with, key children and to have the opportunity to observe children.
- To work in a setting which would support a visiting assessor to observe your skills in the workplace. You may have to carry out specific tasks set by your assessor.
How long will it take?
Learners will be enrolled for 18 months.
How much will it cost?
Full cost course fee: £4670
For learners aged 19+ this course can be funded through an Advanced Learner Loan. Further information can be found on Gov.uk.
Staff working in Alliance member settings can benefit from an exclusive £150 discount on the cost of this course.
How will the training be delivered?
The Alliance offers the diploma through a blended learning programme which includes virtual classroom sessions, written tasks, online courses, 1-1 reviews and assessment in the workplace.
You will need to fully participate in all aspects of the training programme, attend the monthly virtual classroom sessions, engage weekly with your assessor and complete tasks by set deadlines.
At points throughout the programme, your assessor will visit your workplace or placement to complete observations and assessment of your practice.
What does the enrolment process involve?
- Application form – to be completed in full and returned.
- Funding options, information, advice and guidance – one of our training advisors will contact you to discuss your application and provide information about options available to you.
- Online English and maths assessments – to check the qualification level is appropriate and to ascertain any additional support needed.
- Telephone interview and skills scan – to discuss the training delivery, additional support requirements (if required) and complete a skills scan to check for prior knowledge and skills.
- Fees – funding arrangements and documents to be finalised.
- Induction confirmation – the date of your induction and formal start date will be confirmed.
- Enrolment paperwork – the formal enrolment paperwork will be issued to you to review and sign.
- Formal start – attend the induction/first day of learning.
What related qualifications can you progress to?
“Thank you to both my tutors for all your support, patience and understanding the past 15 months — you are both a credit to the Early Years Alliance.”
Lorna Mosettig, Level 3 learner
DID YOU KNOW: Alliance members get up to 20% off the cost of this training
Interested in more information on the our Level 3 Early Years Educator Diploma ?
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