Level 3 Technical Certificate/Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)
This advanced course is designed to prepare you for university and a successful career in the industry. Practical experience in a workplace setting is a key element of this course including the opportunity to develop your theoretical knowledge in the classroom.
You will explore everything from child development, psychology and socialisation to child health, play and learning, supporting literacy and numeracy and international perspectives.
Our successful alumna, Sophie, completed this course and secured her first big role in the industry as a Teaching Assistant, working with children with special educational needs.
Another successful student, Klaudia, achieved D*D*D* on this course and has since progressed to University of Central Lancashire, to study a degree in Child Psychology!
When will I start the course and how long will it take?
The course will start in September and will take up to two years to complete.
This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.
What will I study?
During this course, you will cover the following units:
- Child development from conception to seven years
- Children's health and well-being
- Providing safe environments for children
- Child health
- Play and learning
- Understanding children's additional needs
- Observation, assessment and planning
- Professional practice portfolio 1
- Supporting emergent literacy
- Supporting emergent mathematics
- Preparing for school readiness
- International perspectives
- Reflective practice for professional development
- Professional partnerships in early years
- Professional practice portfolio 2
How is it assessed?
You will be assessed by a combination of assessment tasks, externally moderated research projects and performance on work placement.
Do I need any previous qualifications to start this course?
You should have five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English language and maths.
Achieving a good standard of English and maths is a key requirement for many jobs, as well as for courses you may wish to progress on to. If you achieve below a grade 4 in your English and/or maths GCSEs at school, you will study it alongside your chosen course when you join us.
If you already have a grade 4 or above in English and/or maths but wish to achieve a higher grade, we can also support you to do this.
You will also need a clear DBS to gain entry to this course. More information will be provided upon receipt of your application.*
*A DBS costs £44 and can be claimed back once you have successfully completed this course.
What are the course fees?
If you are a school leaver, aged 16-18, (under the age of 19 on or before 31st August 2024), you do not pay tuition fees or examination and registration fees and may be eligible for additional support depending on your financial situation. For more information, please visit our dedicated financial support page.
What can I go on to do once I have completed this course?
Once you have completed this qualification, you will have gained the licence to practice! This means that you are able to gain employment in the childcare industry.
Previous students have progressed to university to study a degree in child psychology or teaching, while others have gained employment as a Teaching Assistant. You may even decide to pursue a career as a Health Play Specialist, Social Worker or Paediatric Nurse. The opportunities are endless!
Are you
ready to apply?
Simply fill in our online form here.
However, if you still have questions in relation to this course and wish to receive further information, please submit your enquiry here.
