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Level 3 Diploma – Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) NCFE Jan Start
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Overview
Applications are now being taken for Academic year 25/26
This is aimed at 19+ who want to work within an Early Years setting. This is designed for people who are currently working or who are working voluntarily in a Day care setting.
The course is scheduled to start on 21 January 2026 and will run on a Wednesday Evening 5:00-7:00 – attendance will be every 2 weeks; therefore, you will attend 2 sessions each month, both will be in college.
You will be expected to complete course work and have time to study from home to meet deadlines.
This Course will be delivered at our University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL).
How you’ll learn
Theme 1: Health and well-being
Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness
Entry and progression
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 3
- Further study
Entry requirements
You need to have GCSE English at Grade C/4 or above or equivalent.
If you are a manager completing the EYE you will also be required to have Maths GCSE C/4 or equivalent prior to starting.
It is not possible to study these alongside as the course is too demanding.
You must be currently working in an Early Years setting or have a placement set up 4 weeks prior to the start of the course, if you are voluntary, you will be required to complete a minimum of 5 hours each week, you will need to meet the qualification minimum hours for placement of 300 hours over the 18 month duration.
If you are currently employed, then you will already have your DBS.
If you are seeking a placement then you will either have to pay for your own a DBS or your setting may pay for this for you. It is not the colleges responsibility to pay for your DBS.
Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
- Level 5 FdA Education and Early Childhood Studies At University Campus North LincolnshireAlso at University Campus Doncaster
- Level 5 FdA Children’s Learning and Development Distance Learning At University Campus North LincolnshireAlso at University Campus Doncaster
See all 4 courses
At University Campus North Lincolnshire
At University Campus Doncaster
Careers it can lead to
- Child and Early Years Officers £27,500 a year
- Early Education and Childcare Practitioners £12.96 an hour
- Early Education and Childcare Assistants £13.30 an hour
- Houseparents and Residential Wardens £25,800 a year
See all 9 careers
- Care Workers and Home Carers £13.39 an hour
- Nannies and Au Pairs £14.13 an hour
With further study or experience
- Early Education and Childcare Services Managers £22,400 a year
- Nursery Education Teaching Professionals £34,800 a year
- Early Education and Childcare Services Proprietors £44,300 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Fees and funding
£4,670
course fee
See Additional Costs for further information on fees
Financial support
We also have a range of other financial support available.
Additional costs
Funding information to follow.
Questions about fees?
Ask a question
or call 01724 281 111
Your next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
Want to visit first?
FE Open Event – 19th January 202719th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Got a question?
Ask us about the course, entry requirements or funding.
Call 01724 281 111
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.
2
You meet your tutor
We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.
3
You get an offer
We’ll email you an offer, then invite you to enrol.