Preparing to work with Children
| Duration | 12 Weeks |
| Study Mode | Full-time |
| Start Date | September 2025 |
Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
Study LevelLevel 3 Course TypeAdult Duration15 Months Start DateJanuary 2025 (+ more) Study ModePart-time LocationDavid Hockney BuildingOverview
This course will prepare you to become an Early Years Educator, enabling you to work with children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. This vocational route is ideal for mature learners who have some experience, either volunteering or working in early years, or may have their own children or some life experience. The course is open to learners aged 19-23, and 24+ and is offered as a part-time vocational route to Early Years Educator. You will need to attend College once a week (on a Friday) (in term-time) from 09.00-15.00 and will also be expected to complete independent study and assignment tasks in your own time. You will be supported to achieve your practical competencies in placement with workshop sessions when you attend College each week, which will be with your assessor. She will also visit you in your placement setting, at least once in each age group to observe your practice and assess competency.
You need to experience different age groups within the 0-5 years range. The minimum requirement works out in full days as: 3-5 years: – 32 days 2 -2 years 11 months: – 22 days 0-1 year 11 months: – 6 days. We recommend two full days per week, however if you are working/volunteering you may be able to do more days/structure your time differently.
Key Info
This qualification prepares learners to become Early Years Educators, enabling them to work with children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. Upon achievement of this qualification learners will be able to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators or access Higher Education.
Qualification Gained: Northern Council for Further Education Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
There are 10 units:
- The role of the Early Years Educator
- Holistic child development
- Play & learning
- Effective communication
- Early Years curriculum,
- Assessment
- Partnerships
- Safeguarding
- Health, Safety & well being
- Special Educational Needs & Disability.
To start the Early Years Educator qualification, you will need GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Functional Skills Level 2 in English. Ideally you would have achieved the same qualifications/grades in Mathematics although you could work towards your Maths qualifications whilst also studying your Early Years qualification.
To gain this qualification you will need to:
- Pass all Units (coursework/essays set and marked by unit tutors)
- Show competence in a real work environment (an assessor will observe your practice, have professional discussions with you and ask for work products and reflective accounts).
- Placements or voluntary work is required for achievement of this qualification.
A minimum of 300-350 placement hours is required. During your placement, you will need support from a professional within the real work environment who will act as a mentor.
Placement/workplace hours must be completed in an Ofsted registered Early Years setting within the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) with babies/children aged 0-5. Ideally you would gain experience across the different age ranges within the EYFS.
Bradford College will also carry out Disclosure and barring Service (DBS) checks if you do not already have one for the setting in which you will be volunteering or have a portable DBS on the update service. You must secure your own volunteering/placement position.
Upon achievement of this qualification, you will be able to enter the workforce as an Early Years Educator at Level 3 to be included in the ratios. Please note English GCSE or equivalent is also required to count in ratios.
Notice: Fees are currently under review and will be posted as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience.
FE Tuition: £2,882.00 per academic year
This is representative of the most common fees scenario, but actual fees can vary depending on a number of factors. Please contact us if you need more guidance.
If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact [email protected]
Disclaimer: Our prospectus, college documents and website are simply here to offer a guide. We accept no liability for any inaccurate statements and are not responsible for any negative outcomes if you rely on an inaccurate statement. We reserve the right to withdraw any programmes or service at any time.
Loading careers data
