Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry for Early Years Educator (BTEC Diploma)

This qualification is based on the occupational standards published by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), now Skills England. It will enable you to develop a purposeful combination of knowledge, skills and behaviours to enter employment as an Early Years Educator and allows you to achieve occupational competence. This means that it is essential that you are working in a nursery to complete this qualification. It is designed to meet the needs of adult learners (19+).

What will I learn?

In this qualification course you will learn about:

· working in partnership in early years settings

· promoting the health, safety and well-being of children in early years settings

· safeguarding of children in early years settings

· planning and providing effective teaching and learning in early years settings

· children’s development

· implementing early years foundation stage

· working within a social pedagogic framework with children

· making accurate and productive use of assessment in early years settings

· supporting children with special educational needs and disability (SEND)

· developing own role practice and development

· diversity, equality and inclusion and effective practice in early years settings

· understanding how to promote play and learning in early years

· supporting children at meal or snack times

· caring for the physical and nutritional needs of babies and young children

  What are the course entry requirements?

 Before you join this course, you will have to attend an initial assessment session to identify your English and maths levels. You must be working towards Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Functional Skills Level 2 in maths.

 If you meet the English and maths requirements, you will be invited to an interview with a teacher to confirm your suitability for the course. The interview may be in person or online and you may be asked to complete a further assessment.

 You must be employed within a childcare setting for a minimum of 2 full days a week or equivalent i.e. 12-15 hours a week. (Exceptions could apply) You will need a DBS certificate to work in a school. It should be your employer's responsibility to get your DBS.

 How is the qualification delivered and assessed?

 Sessions usually held every fortnight to allow you time to complete homework activities and assignments and self-study tasks ready for the next taught session. However, this may move to weekly as the course progresses. This course is delivered online via Zoom. You need access to the internet and a laptop or tablet to take part in them. During this course you will build an e-portfolio of work where you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding through activities and assignments.

 Your teacher and assessor will arrange to visit you in your workplace to observe you in practice. Tutorials and workshops may be arranged in school holiday time and if you are working full-time in a school this is a good time to catch up with coursework. You will be given a completion date for your portfolio, and you must be completed by this date, or you risk not achieving.

 Further Progression

Successful completion of a Level 3 qualification could lead to progression within employment in a variety of roles or moving onto higher education.