Overview

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) (610/4164/6) within this apprenticeship bundle maps to the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) within the Early Years Educator occupational standard ST0135 in England.

Early years educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurses and childminders, are highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings, including full daycare, children’s centres, pre-schools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the early years foundation stage (EYFS) requirements set by the Department for Education (DfE) for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old and to gain an understanding of further development from age 5 to 7.

Note: apprentices must successfully complete the Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid to meet the EYFS requirements.

The requirement for level 3 early years educators to hold GCSE or Functional Skills in mathematics at level 2 has been removed from ratio requirements in the early years workforce. However, from January 2024, a manager or a learner that 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.

Learners will still need to hold a suitable level 2 English qualification in order to count within the staff to child ratios at level 3.

Please refer to the qualifications tab to see which qualifications are included within this APP0203 bundle.

Potential job roles

• childminder assistant
• early years educator
• early years worker
• nursery educator
• nursery nurse
• nursery worker