Description
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
- £949
- *Prices shown are all-inclusive of VAT—no extra charges!
- Priority Track option available
Why Study with us?
- Priority-track assessments and workbook marking
- For aspiring early years educators aged 16+ with access to a placement
- Flexible, self-paced study – most learners finish in 12–24 months
- Courses designed and assessed by subject-qualified industry trainers and assessors
- One-to-one live sessions (if desired) with expert tutors
Level 3 Extended Diploma Early Years Educator Course Overview
The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma Early Years Educator qualification – in full, the Level 3 Extended Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) – prepares you to work with children from birth to five, with knowledge of children up to seven. NCFE states that it meets the Department for Education’s Early Years Educator criteria in full: the standard that allows practitioners in England to be counted in Level 3 staff:child ratios, subject to the English and paediatric first aid requirements explained in our FAQs. You study the theory online and build your practical skills through at least 365 hours of placement in a real early years setting.
The Extended Diploma includes all 10 units of our Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) plus six further units: reflection and supervision, a learner-led enquiry, sustainable practice, neuroscience for early years practice, advocating for children with SEND, and enabling play environments. It is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction and is designed to support progression to higher education as well as employment, making it the most in-depth Level 3 childcare course online that we offer.
Career Opportunities and Progression after the Level 3 Extended Diploma
With this qualification you can apply for Level 3 roles such as early years educator, nursery practitioner, pre-school practitioner or early years support in a reception class. Many learners use it to move up from a Level 2 role, for example after completing our Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner. With experience, Level 3 educators often take on extra responsibility as room leaders or deputy managers, or by supporting children with SEND. Employers set their own recruitment criteria, so the qualification strengthens your applications rather than guaranteeing a job.
Because the Extended Diploma is graded and includes an independent enquiry project, it is a strong foundation for higher education, such as a foundation degree or degree in early childhood studies. Universities set their own entry requirements, so check with your chosen provider. You could also progress to Level 4 or Level 5 early years and childcare qualifications, or specialise in areas such as SEND or leadership as your career develops.
Do I need a work placement to complete this course?
Yes. Placement is a mandatory part of this qualification. You must complete a minimum of 365 hours of work placement in a real early years setting before you can be certificated, and NCFE recommends around 415 hours where possible. Your placement can be your current paid role or a voluntary placement you arrange in a nursery, pre-school or reception class working with children from birth to five. Where possible, NCFE recommends settings rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.
Your practical skills are assessed in the workplace through methods such as observation, professional discussion, reflective accounts and witness testimony from experienced colleagues. Please make sure a setting is willing to support you before you enrol – our admissions team can talk this through with you.
There are no exams. The qualification is assessed through a portfolio of evidence that is internally assessed by your tutor-assessor and externally quality assured by NCFE. Your portfolio brings together written assignments with evidence of your practice in placement, such as direct observation, professional discussion, reflective accounts and witness testimony. The Extended Diploma is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. Assignments are marked within 3–5 working days, or 1–3 working days on Priority Track.
All 16 units are mandatory.
Unit 01: Introduction to the Role of the Early Years Educator
Unit 02: Holistic Child Development
Unit 03: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Unit 04: Effective Communication in an Early Years Setting
Unit 05: Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements
Unit 06: Health, Wellbeing and Safety
Unit 07: Promoting an Effective Early Years Curriculum
Unit 08: Assessment of Children’s Learning and Development
Unit 09: Understanding Play for Learning and Holistic Development
Unit 10: Partnership Working
Unit 11: Reflection and Supervision in an Early Years Setting
Unit 12: Learner-Led Enquiry in an Early Years Setting
Unit 13: Sustainable Practice in an Early Years Setting
Unit 14: Neuroscience for Early Years Practice
Unit 15: Understand the Role of the Early Years Educator as an Advocate for Children with SEND
Unit 16: Enabling Play Environments in an Early Years Setting
The Level 3 Extended Diploma Early Years Educator qualification is substantial, with 1,154 guided learning hours (GLH) and a total qualification time (TQT) of 1,284 hours, including your placement hours. Study is self-paced, and most learners complete it in 12–24 months, depending on how much time they can give to study and placement each week. Your enrolment includes 12 months’ access to the learning platform and tutor support from the date you enrol; if you need more time, you can extend your access for a re-enrolment fee.
Qualification Number: 610/6133/5
NCFE is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, ensuring that all qualifications adhere to rigorous standards.
Vocational Courses we offer in Bundle
Pricing Plans
Standard One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£949*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 3 – 5 working days
Standard Monthly
Spread the cost of £1,091.34 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£181.89*inc. VAT
per month
Priority Track One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£1,091*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 1 – 3 working days
Priority Track Monthly
Spread the cost of £1,254.66 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£209.11*inc. VAT
per month
Discounted Business/Corporate Purchases
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The following bulk discounts are applicable to our corporate clients:
5% for booking 3 learnersÂ
10% for booking 5 or more learnersÂ
15% for booking 10 or more learners
For enquiries, please contact our sales team at +44 20 8178 4802
Flexible Payment Options
Take advantage of a 30-day payment term when buying 5 or more courses. Please note that an upfront payment will be required unless you are a regular buyer.
Course reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
This course is for anyone aged 16 or over looking for a Level 3 childcare qualification online, combined with hands-on experience in a nursery, pre-school or reception class. It suits Level 2 practitioners ready to step up, career changers, parents returning to work and school or college leavers, provided you can complete at least 365 placement hours. It is particularly well suited to learners who may want to go on to university later.
Both NCFE CACHE qualifications are designed to the DfE Early Years Educator criteria and share the same 10 core units. The Level 3 Diploma (610/4164/6) has 864 guided learning hours, needs a minimum of 300 placement hours and is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. The Level 3 Extended Diploma (610/6133/5) adds six further units, has 1,154 guided learning hours, needs a minimum of 365 placement hours and is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. Choose the Diploma if your main aim is to qualify for work; choose the Extended Diploma if you want greater depth and a graded qualification to support progression to higher education.
Yes – it is designed to qualify you as a Level 3 early years educator. NCFE states that it meets the DfE Early Years Educator criteria in full, so in England holders can be counted in Level 3 staff:child ratios. To be counted, you must also hold a suitable Level 2 English qualification (such as GCSE English at grade 4/C or above, or Functional Skills English at Level 2), and you must gain a paediatric first aid certificate within three months of starting work. Paediatric first aid is not part of this qualification. Requirements differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Yes. This Level 3 early years educator online course delivers all of the theory through our learning platform, so you can study at your own pace with unlimited tutor support and optional one-to-one live sessions. Your practical skills are developed and assessed in your placement setting, and you upload your evidence to the platform for marking, so the course fits around work or family life.
Most learners take 12–24 months, depending on how many hours a week they can commit to study and placement. Your enrolment includes 12 months’ access from the date you enrol; if you need longer, you can extend your access for a re-enrolment fee.
You must be aged 16 or over. NCFE does not set any formal entry qualifications, but you will need to secure a placement in an early years setting, and good reading and writing skills will help you with Level 3 study. A Level 2 childcare qualification is useful but not essential. Most settings will ask for an enhanced DBS check before your placement starts. If you do not yet hold a Level 2 English qualification, we recommend working towards one, as you will need it to be counted in Level 3 ratios in England.
No. There are no fixed deadlines for individual assignments, so you can work at your own pace within your access period. You will need to complete all 16 units and at least 365 placement hours before you can be certificated.
This qualification is awarded by NCFE, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, under its CACHE brand for childcare and early years qualifications. On successful completion you will receive an NCFE CACHE certificate.
Qualification Number: 610/6133/5
If you still have any questions, please refer to our main FAQs page or contact us for further assistance.
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