Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (QUALIFI)

The Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)is a fully recognised qualification designed for individuals who want to work in a professional childcare role with babies, toddlers, and young children from birth to 5 years. This diploma qualifies learners to work unsupervised in early years settings and is considered the standard requirement for becoming an Early Years Educatorin the UK.

This qualification provides a strong foundation in understanding child development, safeguarding, supporting learning through play, promoting health and wellbeing, and delivering high-quality care in early years settings. It is ideal for those already working in childcare or those who want to build a long-term career in nurseries, preschools, reception classes, and early education environments.

Do you need to be working to take the qualification?

Before certification, learners must complete a mandatory work/industry placement experience throughout the duration of the qualification.

Age range Hours:

0–1 year 11 months 50

2–2 years 11 months 280

3–5 years 400

Benefits of Doing Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator) Online

Studying DoingLevel 3 Diploma in Early Years Educationonline offers learners a flexible, accessible, and career-focused route to advancing their skills within the sector. Key benefits include:

1. Flexible Learning
   • Learners can study at their own pace and schedule, making it ideal for those balancing work, family, or other commitments.
2. Cost-Effective
   • Online learning removes the need for travel, accommodation, and other campus-related expenses, making education more affordable.
3. Access to Quality Resources
   • Students gain access to interactive digital learning materials, recorded lectures, case studies, and dedicated tutor support through an online learning portal.
4. Career Advancement Opportunities
   • The qualification develops essential leadership and management skills, supporting progression into supervisory and career roles within the health and social care sector.

Course Delivery

The qualification is delivered fully online through:

• Virtual Learning Platform:Access to study materials and resources 24/7.
• Tutor Support:Regular guidance via email, online forums,
• Independent Study:Learners study at their own pace with structured guidance.
• Obtain assignment:marking and feedback.
• Online Assessments:Assignments, projects, and portfolios submitted on LSM.
• Acquire:Assignment briefing, study lesson plan
• Receive excellent-quality study notes.
• Receive dedicated customersupport via chat, telephone, and email (Monday to Friday)

At the core of Qualifi’s mission is the creation and awarding of respected qualifications, built on a rigorous focus on high standards and consistency. Qualifi is recognised as an Awarding Organisation (AO) by Ofqual, the qualifications regulator for England, and is also a signatory to the BIS international quality commitments.

The qualification comprises 15 mandatory units with a combined total of 83 credits. All units and evidence of RWE must be completed to receive the Diploma.

All Units are mandatory

Unit 1 Supporting healthy lifestyles for children through food, nutrition and exercise

1. Understand the impact of food and nutrition on children’s health and development.
2. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences
3. Be able to support children’s healthy eating

Unit 2 Supporting physical care routines for children and for unwell children

1. Be able to support the physical care needs of children.
2. Understand hygienic practice in providing physical care to children
3. Understand childhood immunisation

Unit3 Promoting children's emotional well-being, social and emotional development

1. Understand children’s emotional well-being needs, personal, social and emotional development.
2. Understand the needs of children during transitions and significant events..

Unit 4 Understanding the needs of the mother and baby pre-conception, during pregnancy and the first year of life

1. Understand a baby’s development from conception to end of gestation.
2. Understand post-natal care.

Unit 5 The role of the Early Years practitioner

1. Understand the role of the Early Years practitioner.
2. Be able to communicate to meet individuals’ needs and preferences.

Unit 6 Legislation relating to Early Years practice

1. Understand legislation and guidelines for the safeguarding, protection, and welfare of children
2. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child has been abused or harmed

Unit 7 Working in partnership

1. Understand the principles of partnership working when working with children.
2. Understand how to work in partnership when working with children

Unit 8 Supporting children through play in Early Years

1. Understand the role of play at different stages of children’s development
2. Understand different types of play for all children.

Unit 9 Developing the literacy, mathematical and communication skills of children

1. Understand the language and communication needs of children
2. Be able to support children’s literacy, language and communication needs

Unit 10 Understand the needs of the child in preparing for school

1. Understand the meaning of ‘school readiness’ in relation to the role of the Early Years practitioner.
2. Understand the way in which working in partnership with others contributes to children’s school readiness.

Unit 11 Understanding children’s cognitive development

1. Understand the cognitive development of children
2. Understand approaches to planning when working with children from birth to 7 years.

Unit 12 Promoting the physical development of children

1. Understand children’s physical development
2. Understand theory and current frameworks in relation to children’s physical development.

Unit 13 Understand theory and current frameworks in relation to children’s physical development.

1. Understand biological, environmental and developmental factors which may result in children needing additional support
2. Understand the principles of inclusive practice as they relate to children with additional needs

Unit 14 Using studies and tools to promote the development of children

1. Understand the uses and methods of observation
2. Understand professional practice in relation to the observation of children
3. Be able to carry out observations in line with current frameworks.

Unit 15 Professional development for Early Years Educators

1. Understand professional development.
2. Be able to use reflective practice to contribute to their own professional development.

• To study a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)learner must be aged of 16 and above.
• Relevant Level 2 or 3 Diploma qualification or equivalent qualification.

• Tutor-marked assignments and workplace observations

Average completion timeframe (Course Duration)

• The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 07- 09 months.
• Learners are granted a maximum of two years’ accessto complete the course from the date of enrolment.

Progression – Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care

Successful completion of the qualification allows learners to progress in several ways:

• Level 4 Certificate in Early Years Advanced Practitioner
• Level 4 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services
• Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
• Access to Higher Education in Childhood Studies
• Foundation Degree in Early Years / Childcare
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

2. Employment Opportunities

Learners can advance into a variety of entry-level roles within legal and professional organisations, including:

• Early Years Educator
• Nursery Practitioner
• Preschool Assistant
• Reception Class Assistant
• Childminder Assistant
• Playgroup Worker
• Classroom Assistant (Early Years)
• Support Worker in Early Years Settings

With experience, learners can progress into roles such as:

• Senior Nursery Practitioner
• Room Leader
• Deputy Manager
• Nursery Manager