
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma
for Working in Early Years
JUNE SPECIAL OFFER – ENROL FOR £1,100
Get started for just £91.63/month
Extra Value: FREE Special Needs Course Included
You can feel completely confident with this course as it provides a full license to practice in the early years sector. It covers everything you need, including the essential Staff-to-Child ratios. It’s fully recognised by Ofsted, accredited by NCFE CACHE, regulated by Ofqual, and approved by the DfE. The qualification qualifies you to work in a nursery setting and be included in staff to child ratios as a fully licensed Level 3 practitioner. And with our money-back guarantee, you’ve got total peace of mind from the moment you enrol.
Qualifies for DFE & Ofsted EARLY YEARS STAFF-to-CHILD RATIOS
Extra Value: For all June enrolments, we’re also including a FREE S.E.N CPD course to boost your skills and confidence even further!


NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
RQF REGULATED QUALIFICATION No. 610/4164/6 – CLICK TO VERIFY
This course is the full NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator). Once completed, you will be fully qualified to work as an Early Years Educator in nurseries and other Early Years settings.
This course fully meets DfE’s criteria for staff:child ratios
Upon achieving this qualification, learners can enter the workforce as fully licensed to practice in the early years sector. This qualification confers the licence to practise as an Early Years Educator and meets the DfE’s criteria for counting in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework staff-to-child ratios. You will be able to work in a nursery setting and count towards staff ratios as a fully licensed Level 3 practitioner.
Who is it suitable for?
This course is suitable for learners aged 16 years and above, working in early years setting. It is mandatory to already be working in an Early Years placement for enrolment onto this course.
What are the entry requirements?
You should be at least 16 years old.
Learners will need to hold a suitable placement working with children between 0-5 years of age.
A minimum 300 hours of mandatory work placement (350 hours recommended).
You will need to be supported by a workplace mentor throughout your course. Your mentor must hold a Full and Relevant Early Years qualification.
Where Can I Use This Level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification?
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to work without supervision as a fully qualified Early Years practitioner in all early years settings.
Your job roles post-completion include:
- educator in day nurseries
- educator in nursery schools
- educator in reception classes in primary schools
- pre-school worker
How is this course assessed?
To gain this qualification, you will need to pass 10 mandatory units that include:
• written theoretical assignments
• externally set practical assessments
Do I need to have access to a practical placement?
Yes, a placement is required for this course, with at least 300 hours (350 recommended) being achieved in your workplace.
Placement Requirements
This course includes practical tasks that must be performed in your workplace. Your workplace mentor carrying out these observations must meet the awarding body’s requirements. They must hold a Full and Relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification, provide us with an up-to-date CV and CPD record, and take part in a short induction with our quality assurance team to understand how the assessments are completed. They will also be required to sign a confirmation document and submit copies of the relevant documentation. This is a mandatory requirement for enrolling on this course.
How long does it take to complete?
This qualification runs for 18 months however you are free to complete it as quickly as you wish. We can also arrange a course extension if required.
After completing this course, learners will also need to hold a suitable level 2 English qualification in order to count within the staff-to-child ratios. For accepted equivalencies for GCSE English, please refer to the Early Years Qualifications List Department of Education website.
This is fully recognised staff to child ratio qualification
- Unit One:Introduction to the role of the early years educator
- Unit Two:Holistic Child Development
- Unit Three:Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- Unit Four:Effective communication in an early years setting
- Unit Five:Safeguarding and welfare requirements
- Unit Six:Health, wellbeing and safety
- Unit Seven:Promoting an effective early years curriculum
- Unit Eight:Assessment of children’s learning and development
- Unit Nine:Understanding play for holistic development and learning
- Unit Ten: Partnership working
RQF REGULATED QUALIFICATION No. 610/4164/6
The latest RQF syllabus
This course follows the latest Early Years guidelines, providing up to date information. You need to be working in a nursery or Early Years setting to enrol on this course. This is a qualification for knowledge and work experience. Experience in a real work environment is required for this course.
After completing this course, learners will need to hold a suitable level 2 English qualification in order to count within the staff-to-child ratios at Level 3. In addition, a manager or a learner who starts in a manager role will also need to hold a suitable level 2 Maths qualification. International qualifications can be checked in liaison with the DfE.
Achieving this qualification
To be awarded this qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve 10 mandatory units/95 credits.
Course entry requirements
This course includes practical tasks that must be observed in your workplace. The person who witnesses them must meet the awarding body’s requirements. They need to hold a Full and Relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification, have an up-to-date CV and CPD record, and complete a short induction with our quality assurance team about how the course assessments work. They’ll also need to sign a document to confirm this.
You will be taught the full Level 3 Diploma syllabus once enrolled. To be eligible for this course, you must meet the following criteria:-
- Work placement with children between 0-5 years is required.
- Your workplace mentor must hold a Full & Relevant Early Years qualification
- We will need to verify your mentor’s qualification, CV and CPD record
- A minimum 300 hours of mandatory work placement (350 hours recommended).
- You must be over 16 years of age.
Home study course – enrol at anytime
This is a home study course so there’s no need to come into the college. Don’t worry, there’s no mention of home study on your certificate, and it’s exactly the same government regulated qualification you get at a mainstream college. We guarantee your certificate is fully accepted and recognised by all, or your money back!
Your Course Materials – online
Your course will be delivered online, so you can get started instantly.
The enrolment fee includes your NCFE CACHE certificate, course materials and full tutor support.
A genuine government certificate from OFQUAL
Study with us, and you will gain exactly the same government-accredited qualification and certificates as a local college.
Upon course completion, you will receive a government regulated NCFE CACHE Level 3 RQF certificate that’s fully recognised & accepted by all Early Years settings. There’s no mention of distance learning or home study anywhere on the certificate, and we guarantee it’s the same qualification as all attendance-based colleges provide.
This course qualifies you for staff-to-child ratios, meaning you will be fully qualified to work unsupervised with children.
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in
the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
( RQF’s have now replaced the old NVQ & QCF qualifications )
Government regulated
NCFE CACHE Accredited
18-Months to complete
Qualifies for staff:child ratios

NUS Student Discount Membership
Apply for NUS student discount membership once enrolled.

Amazing Support
From start to finish, our supportive tutors will guide you to success.
All nurseries fully recognise this qualification
We understand that choosing the right Early Years course isn’t a walk in the park. With so many options available, it can be quite a task! That’s why we’ve put a lot of effort into providing you with the best syllabus out there.
Assessment
This course is assessed through written, essay style assignments and practical assessments in the worplace. There are no exams are required for this course.
Enrol with us, and you’ll soon be on your way to gaining the advanced skills and knowledge to work in Childcare!
What’s included: We take enrolments 24/7 all year round, and you can start your course as soon as your course pack arrives. With home study, you can make your study fit around you and your schedule. You will have full 1-1 access to your own personal tutor, who will guide you through the course to help you prepare for your assignments and provide full feedback on your course progress. Our passion will enable you to interact with your tutor as you complete each unit. Full tutor support is offered throughout the course to ensure you pass as easily as possible.

Benefits of studying with us

Enrol today and start immediately
1:1 tutor support throughout your course
As soon as you enrol with De Montfort for your online course, you’ll be assigned an expert tutor who will be on hand to provide support throughout your learning. All of our tutors are committed to giving you the best learning experience and we take pride in our friendly but professional approach.

Entry requirements – work placement required
You need an English GCSE qualification and be aged 16 years and above for this Level 3 course. You will be taught the full level 3 syllabus once you’re enrolled.
- English GCSE required
- Work placement is required
- This course qualifies for staff-to-child ratios
- Enrolments are open all year
Why De Montfort
At De Montfort we have many years of experience providing the highest quality online Teaching Assistant courses, here are just some of the reasons we think you’ll love us.

Cost-effective
With all our courses delivered by home study, we can minimise costs and provide you with official qualifications for less than most physical colleges.

Supportive tutors
All of our friendly tutors are experts in their field and will be on hand to support you every step of the way through your Early Years course.

Home study
Our home study tuition allows you to study from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace.

Accredited courses
All of our courses are accredited by NCFE CACHE, giving you an RQF qualification recognised by all schools.

Save time
Because you’ll be studying at home, there’s no need to travel to and from classes, saving you both time and money.

Highly rated
We’ve built a reputation for quality, and all of our courses regularly receive outstanding feedback from students
Frequently Asked Questions
All of our courses run for a period between 6-12 months.
If you find you need some extra time, we will be happy to extend for a small additional fee.
No, you are continually assessed throughout your course by written assignments. There are 4 mandatory assignments that need to be completed and passed for the Level 3 Award course to gain your level 3 certificate.
Tutor feedback is provided after each assignment and if any help is needed to pass an assignment, your tutor will be on hand for you to get in touch with. Once you have passed your assignments, that’s it – there’s no big final exam.
Yes, in fact, we actively encourage it. Please call us on 0345 652 0098 to speak to a friendly course adviser.
Yes, we encourage and welcome international students to join our learning community. All of our courses are designed to be delivered online, wherever you may be in the world. There is no need to attend any physical location – everything happens online.
*Please be aware that our courses are accredited in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Please check your local regulations for all other countries.
Yes, we’re a specialist home study college that is dedicated to Teaching Assistant and Early Years training. All of our courses are exactly the same courses you find at attendance based colleges and the certificate you get at the end of the course will be exactly the same as an attendance based college.
You’ll get instant access to your course and be assigned a dedicated tutor who will be on-hand via email and telephone, to support you throughout your course.
Yes, all awarding bodies are the same and the qualifications they accredit are the same. This is because the standards and qualifications are written by sector skills councils and approved by Ofqual. All awarding bodies are regulated by Ofqual including CACHE, NCFE, City & Guilds, Edexcel, OCR etc.
The qualification is no different and the certificate is equally recognised no matter who it is accredited by.
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June sale, save 25%, was £1,350
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This offer is valid when you enrol online, over the phone or through the post!
There has never been a better time to start learning and take that first step towards a brighter future!
*This offer cannot be backdated.
8 Facts On This Course
OFQUAL regulated
Genuine NCFE CACHE
Friendly tutor support
Staff-to-Child ratio
Full & relevant
No hidden costs
0% Finance available
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