NCFE CACHE Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) (Level 3)

This course is part of the National Skills Fund government initiative to help adults to train and gain the valuable skills they need to improve their job prospects. If you are aged 19 and over and do not already have a full level 3 qualification you can enrol on this course for free. (You will be required to sign a declaration confirming that you do not already hold a level 3 qualification when you enrol). Funding is limited so please enrol as soon as possible to secure your funded place.

The course is suitable for learners who are looking for roles as:

• Practitioners in day nursery
• Practitioners in Nursery Schools
• Practitioner in reception classes in primary schools
• Pre-school worker.

Learners must be at least 16 years old. 350 recommended placement hours in an early years setting working with children from birth to 5 years. During placement, learners will need support from a professional within the real work environment. To become a Level 3 practitioner in nurseries Level 2 maths and English is required.

There are 23 units totalling 61 credits are around the following three themes: • Theme 1: Health and well-being • Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice • Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness.

All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods. This could include direct observation within the workplace, a portfolio of evidence, written assignments.

National Skills Fund Offer

The government have expanded their National Skills Fund Free Course for Jobs Offer. This policy gives adults, of any age, without a Level 3 qualification the chance to gain their first level 3 qualification for free, from a choice of hundreds of courses with good wage outcomes and the ability to meet key skills needs. From 1 April 2022, eligibility for the offer has been expanded so that any adult in England who is earning under the National Living Wage annually (£18,525) or are unemployed will also be able to access this selection of free qualifications, even if they already have a Level 3 qualification or higher.

Where qualifications are not included in the Free Course for Jobs Offer, students aged 19 years or over on the 1st day of their course may qualify for an Advanced Learning Loan to help with college fees on applicable course.

Adult Learning Loan

Advanced Learning Loan to help with college fees on applicable course. Students won’t have to pay anything back until the end of their course and are earning £27,295 per year. Household income isn’t taken into account and there’s no credit check. Eligibility is dependent on course, nationality, and age to meet the ESFA funding eligibility criteria.

Low Income / Unemployed Seeking Work

Students that are unemployed and currently seeking work, or on a low income of up to £20,319 per annum may be able to enrol to a course at Level 2 or below free of charge. This is a government initiative and the course offer is subject to change. Grantham College reserves the right to offer a substitute course if the qualification advertised is not funded by the government. This does not affect your rights under Consumer Law.

The requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYE) to hold GCSE English and maths A*-C, has been broadened to Level 2 qualifications, including Functional Skills.

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.

Upon achievement of this qualification it is intended that learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators.

Learners can progress to the Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner or other higher level early years qualifications.