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Early Years Educator

Course Code: EEEL3
  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: BTEC Diploma
  • Awarding body: Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC)
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Part-time
  • Time of day: Daytime
  • When you'll study: Thursdays, 9.00am - 4.15pm
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What's it all about?

This course will help you develop a strong combination of knowledge, skills and behaviours to enter employment as an Early Years Educator and achieve occupational competence. It provides a clear pathway into a role that is recognised and in demand by employers. 

You will build the confidence to apply your knowledge, skills and behaviours when carrying out key occupational duties and responsibilities, supporting you to meet entry-level competence. 

Throughout the course, you will: 

  • develop transferable skills and professional behaviours such as compassion, teamwork, and communication, which are essential for personal effectiveness in this role 
  • gain knowledge and understanding of best practice and core values, including children’s development, the use of pedagogies, and the importance of promoting inclusion and diversity within the early years sector. 

Course information

The course covers the following units: 

  • working in partnership in early years settings  
  • promoting the health, safety, and wellbeing of children in early years settings 
  • safeguarding children in early years settings 
  • planning and providing effective teaching and learning in early years settings 
  • children’s development
    • implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 
  • 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 disabilities (SEND) 
  • developing your own practice and professional development 
  • diversity, equality, and inclusion in early years settings 
  • promoting play and learning in early years 
  • supporting children at snack and mealtimes 
  • caring for the physical and nutritional needs of babies and young children. 

You will also be required to complete 300 hours of work placement in an appropriate setting. 

In order to be successful on this course, you will need to have GCSEs in English and Maths at grade four (C) or above. You will also need to undertake a work placement.

You will be assessed via coursework and a reflective placement journal 

Upon successful completion, you could progress to employment as an early years educator within this sector. This may be in a nursery, a pre-school, or working with young children in other settings. You may also progress onto university to train as an early years teacher.

Please note fees are quoted for one year only.

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Future careers

What you could earn:

Child and Early Years Officers

£42,627.29

Potential salary

£16,563.79

Entry level salary

£29,659.99

Average salary

7

Annual openings in Plymouth

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