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About the course

This is a work based qualification for those aged 19 or over as of 31st August 2025 and will require you to be working in the sector to be able to progress to enrolment.

The aim of this qualification is to prepare learners to become early years educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to five years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years.

Upon achievement of this qualification, it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as early years educators and be included in staff to child ratios.

In response to the Department for Education (DfE), NCFE have built a qualification to meet the criteria required for those wishing to become early years educators.

NCFE have surpassed the minimum requirements set out in the 'full and relevant criteria' to develop a qualification that reflects the priorities of educators and employers to meet the needs of babies and children.

This qualification maps to the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) within the Early Years Educator occupational standard ST0135 in England.

This qualification aims to:

  • focus on the study of early years education
  • offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
  • provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills

To be awarded this qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve 10 mandatory units

Mandatory units

  1. Introduction to the role of the early years educator
  2. Holistic child development
  3. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  4. Effective communication in an early years setting
  5. Safeguarding and welfare requirements
  6. Health, wellbeing and safety
  7. Promoting an effective early years curriculum
  8. Assessment of children's learning and development
  9. Understanding play for learning and holistic development
  10. Partnership working

    How is the course delivered and assessed?

    You will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence and will be assigned an experienced, qualified assessor who will assess your competency in the real work environment, together with your knowledge and understanding, using methods such as direct observation, oral and written questions and case studies.

    If you have not already achieved your English GCSE at grade C/4 or functional skill at Level 2 you will be required to achieve your level 2 alongside your Diploma. This is because Ofsted will require evidence of both the Diploma and the English together to enable you to be counted in ratios when you have qualified. This can be arranged through SGS College attending in person or in some cases online classes.

    What do I need to join

    To enrol onto this course, you will need to be working in an early years setting for at least 16 hours a week, as you will need to demonstrate competence in both knowledge and skills. In some instances, you may be accepted onto the course if you are volunteering or undertaking a work placement role and this can be discussed and agreed on an individual basis prior to application.

    What can I do next

    Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following:

    • employment:
      • educator in day nurseries
      • educator in nursery schools
      • educator in reception classes in primary schools
      • pre-school worker
    • further education:
      • level 4 early years and childcare qualifications
    • higher education - personal statements may be accepted by universities
    Additional information

    For further information, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 07775 998546 during office hours.

    Online enrolment

    This course offers simpler and safer online enrolment requests, which means in a matter of minutes you can submit an enrolment request to us. However please be aware that upon submitting your enrolment form you are not guaranteed to be accepted. A number of our courses require assessments, qualification checks or simply a conversation with you before we can confirm your enrolment.

    Within 24 hours of enrolment submission you will receive an automated email notification with information on what happens next. Please add to your safe sender list. Most email providers allow you to do this within settings/options. For full instructions simply use your chosen search engine to find instructions on how to mark emails as safe.