The Level 3 Certificate in Childcare & Education (Early Years Educator) will run alongside the Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare & Education (Early Years Educator).

The Technical Certificate in Childcare and Education is slightly different, in relation to Unit 8 (Professional Skills Portfolio 1) and Unit 15 (Professional Skills Portfolio 2). They have been combined into a new Unit 16 (grading: Pass/Refer). While placement is still necessary for the Certificate, assessment of competence now only sits within the Diploma. This was actioned in response to Centre feedback.

There are changes to the external assessment as follows:

• there are new requirements relating to the controls around external assessments: this is the key change

• the delivery of the content of the qualification will be unchanged by the external assessment requirements

• the external assessments will occur at the same points in the qualifications as at present

• the extended assessments will continue to be consistent in their synoptic assessment of the relevant units, will continue to be graded A*- D but will use an assessment model which will enable centres and learners to accommodate the controls around the external assessments

• Unit 8 (Professional Skills Portfolio 1) and Unit 15 (Professional Skills Portfolio 2) combined into new Unit 16 (grading: Pass/Refer).

What is a nested qualification?

This qualification is nested. Qualifications within a nested suite allow learners to be topped up to a qualification that is the same level and subject within the Award, Certificate, Diploma structure. This can be done by self-service through the Portal. Qualification nests and top-up pricing can be found in our fees list.

What does the qualification cover?

The Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education prepares learners to progress to the Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education and then on to the Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator). The Diploma enables learners to gain the knowledge and experience which will allow them to work with children from birth to 5 years.

Upon achievement of the Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education it is intended that learners will be able to access higher education or enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.

Who is this qualification suitable for?

This qualification is suitable for a range of learners either working or wishing to work in early years education and care.

What are the entry requirements?

You should be at least 16 years old. We do not set any other entry requirements but colleges or training providers may have their own guidelines.

Other requirements?

From 3 April 2017, the requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYE) to hold GCSE English and maths A*-C, will be broadened to Level 2 qualifications, including Functional Skills. This will also apply to an apprenticeship route.

This will enable staff with an EYE qualification and Level 2 English and mathematics qualifications to count in the Level 3 staff:child ratios in childcare settings. This includes those who already hold an EYE qualification, began studying an EYE from September 2014 or will achieve an EYE in the future.

Please refer to the Early Years Workforce Strategy (March 2017) for further details.

Early Years Educator: changes to GCSE requirements

From 3 April 2017, the requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYE) to hold GCSE English and maths A*-C, will be broadened to Level 2 qualifications, including Functional Skills. This will also apply to an apprenticeship route.

This will enable staff with an EYE qualification and Level 2 English and mathematics qualifications to count in the Level 3 staff:child ratios in childcare settings. This includes those who already hold an EYE qualification, began studying an EYE from September 2014 or will achieve an EYE in the future.

Please refer to the Early Years Workforce Strategy (March 2017) for further details.

Education Funding Agency-funded learners

Learners aged 16-19 (and learners aged 19-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities) funded by the Education Funding Agency will not require GCSE English and maths grade A* - C prior to commencing their Early Years Educator qualification.

However, the Department for Education expects learners without English and/or maths GCSE at grade C to be offered and encouraged to take up GCSEs as part of their Study Programme. From 2016/17 learners will need to have completed or be studying GCSE English and maths to have their study programme funded.

How is this qualification structured?

This qualification is part of a nested Award, Certificate, and Diploma.

Rules of combination:

In order to achieve the Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education learners must achieve a pass grade D in the externally set, internally assessed unit assessments for 7 mandatory units.

Learners must also achieve a pass grade D or above for the external assessment CCE1 (externally set, externally assessed).

Dependent on learner ability and Centre delivery, the Certificate can be achieved in approximately 1 year. It enables learners to progress on to the Diploma.

Each unit throughout the qualification will be graded A*-D and the overall qualification is graded A* - D.

Assessment opportunities

Please note: the assessment opportunities for all the externally set and marked assessments for this qualification are limited to one attempt and one further reattempt opportunity (undertaking an alternative assessment).

External assessment timetable

Please see the external assessment timetable for a breakdown of the assessment dates for this qualification.

Useful links

Regulations for the conduct of external assessment

Qualification specific instructions for delivery (QSID)