Choosing the right Early Years Educator course

🌟 Choosing the right Early Years Educator qualification 🌟

With so many options out there, there are lots of considerations to take when selecting your course. These considerations range from those all important questions of financing, as well as making sure the course is the full qualification that you need to work in the setting.

🌈Check that the course gives you the full qualification. There are many courses available through lots of route ways, including online, blended, distance learning, colleges and more.
🌟Double check that your course is an Early Years Educator qualification and request the QRN number if necessary. There are a range available from different awarding organisations, including NCFE CACHE, Pearson, and TQUK.
🌟CPD short courses in childcare are widely available. CPD courses can provide great opportunities for you to update your knowledge or give you an introduction to early years and childcare. These, however, will not qualify you to work in early years.
🌟Ensure that it is mandatory that you are required to undertake a placement of at least 350 hours in a setting with children up to the age of five years old. You will also need to be observed by an assessor from your chosen college or provider; this is not the role of your placement mentor.

🌈 Financing your course: There are many options available.
🌟Self-funding is a great way for you to have control over your studies. When self-funding, check that the provider of your course includes everything in your agreed price- including observations. You should not be charged extra for a tutor to come out and assess you. Be wary of the small print. Make sure you find a provider that does not charge extension fees, as these are not required by the awarding body, and check that their charges don't accumulate interest, making your course more expensive than you first though.
🌟Some providers offer Advanced Learner Loans, offering the opportunity for the Student Finance companies to pay your fees in advance. You wll pay back at a later date, when you reach a certain earning threshold. When you take out the loan, interest will start to be incurred for when you start to pay back the loan.
🌟Apprenticeships are available for those who are employed as an apprentice. Your employer will make a contribution to the fees, and this will then be topped-up with government funding, who will pay the majority of the cost on your behalf.

🌈 Make sure that you will be assessed fully and correctly. The EYE course is a large qualification, heavy on both theory and practice.
🌟You MUST be observed in practice by a qualified assessor from your chosen college. Ensure that your chosen college is not adding additional fees for this to take place, as it is mandatory for the course to be signed off.
🌟 Witness statements or testimonies are an appropriate assessment method, but should NOT replace or be used instead of an observation. You must ensure that you have the opportunity to be observed by a qualified assessor from your chosen college- it is not the role of your mentor in placement, even if they are kind enough to offer.
🌟Opportunities for you to put your knowledge into practice should be evidenced through assignments, professional discussions, planning of activities to complete with children, and observations of your practice.

NCCE National College for Care and Education offer the full Early Years Educator Level 3 Diploma, fully inclusive of all fees, allowing you to be fully qualified to practice in the Early Years sector. Visit our site: www.ncce-learn.co.uk for more information about our course offerings. Book a call with a Student Support Advisor to find out more. ​​

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