Who is this qualification for?
Learners aged 16 or over who are preparing to become Early Years Educators and want to develop the knowledge and practical competence to work with children from birth to 5 years, with knowledge of development from 5 to 7 years.
Entry requirements
NCFE sets a minimum age of 16 and no other specific prior entry requirement. Essex and London College will consider whether each applicant can meet the literacy, numeracy, health and safety, study and workplace requirements of this Level 3 programme.
What you will learn
The programme covers the Early Years Educator role, holistic child development, SEND, effective communication, safeguarding and welfare, health and safety, curriculum, assessment, play and partnership working.
Course structure and mandatory units
To achieve the Diploma, learners must complete all 10 mandatory units and 95 credits:
- 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 learning and holistic development
- Partnership working
Workplace and practical requirements
Learners must have ongoing access to an appropriate Early Years setting. A minimum of 300 mandatory work/industry placement hours must be completed before certification; NCFE recommends 350 hours where possible. These placement hours form part of the 864 GLH.
Practical competence must be assessed in the workplace. Evidence may include direct observation, professional discussion, workplace and portfolio evidence, and reflective evidence where the assessment criteria permit. The assessment plan is agreed for the individual learner; no fixed number of assessor visits is promised.
How you will study
Theory and coursework can be supported through Essex and London College’s online learning arrangements where appropriate, allowing independent study around other commitments. This is not a 100% online qualification: workplace attendance, evidence and practical assessment are essential.
Assessment
Assessment is through an internally assessed and externally quality assured portfolio of evidence. Learners must demonstrate every required learning outcome, including practical skills in an appropriate workplace setting.
Career opportunities
Achievement is intended to support entry to roles such as Early Years Educator, nursery educator, nursery worker, preschool worker or work in reception-class settings, subject to employer and statutory requirements.
Progression
Course duration
NCFE states that learners can usually complete this qualification in 1 to 2 years. Actual completion time depends on learner progress, assignment completion, workplace attendance, the required placement hours and completion of practical assessments.
Official qualification information checked against NCFE’s current qualification page and Qualification Specification version 1.0 (October 2025). View the NCFE specification.
