Key Information
Key Information
Regulation Qualification Number: (610/4163/4)
Ofqual Regulated: Yes
Full and Relevant Early Years Educator Qualification: Yes
Level: 5
Credits: 121
Minimum Age at entry: 19 years
Entry Requirements: English at GCSE Grade C/4 and above, or a level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills due to the academic requirements of the qualification. Maths at Level 2 is preferred, and will be mandatory should you wish to become a manager in the early years setting.
Placement Requirements: Learners should be in a suitable setting to complete this qualification. This can be on an employed or voluntary basis. You will need to be able to offer supervisory evidence and will need to demonstrate that you can lead a team of at least two other practitioners in your setting as a part of your coursework.
Course length: 12-18 months
Regulation Qualification Number: (610/4163/4)
Ofqual Regulated: Yes
Full and Relevant Early Years Educator Qualification: Yes
Level: 5
Credits: 121
Minimum Age at entry: 19 years
Entry Requirements: English at GCSE Grade C/4 and above, or a level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills due to the academic requirements of the qualification. Maths at Level 2 is preferred, and will be mandatory should you wish to become a manager in the early years setting.
Placement Requirements: Learners should be in a suitable setting to complete this qualification. This can be on an employed or voluntary basis. You will need to be able to offer supervisory evidence and will need to demonstrate that you can lead a team of at least two other practitioners in your setting as a part of your coursework.
Course length: 12-18 months
Qualification Details
Qualification Details
The CACHE Level 5 Diploma for Senior Practitioners in an Early Years Setting is a high-quality qualification designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for roles which are in demand from employers in the early years sector, including in a senior role such as setting management. It serves as a pathway for learners to develop expertise and prepare for further study.
The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of senior practitioner roles in early years settings. The objectives include:
• Equipping learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours for skilled job roles.
• Offering a practical and employer-led course to develop practical experience and expertise.
• Providing retraining or upskilling opportunities for individuals aged 19 and over.
• Preparing learners for progression to further study or training in the field.
The learner will study a range of key topics in the early years sector, including but not limited to:
• Promoting health, well-being, and resilience in children.
• Effective interaction and deep-level learning facilitation.
• Leadership in daily routines, practice, and physical environment maintenance.
• Key person approach and child advocacy.
• Best practices in observation, assessment, and planning for individual needs.
• Inclusion, diversity, and equality in early years settings.
• Safeguarding legislation and strategies implementation.
• Effective resource deployment and child-centred practice.
• Reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
• Collaborative partnerships with parents, carers, and multi-agencies.
By completing this course, learners will develop the following knowledge, practical, and technical skills:
• In-depth understanding of child development and its impact on learning and well-being.
• Application of ethical and rights-based approaches in supporting children's individual journeys.
• Competence in planning and facilitating engaging and inclusive learning environments.
• Effective communication and collaboration with parents, professionals, and multi-agencies.
• Skills in observation, assessment, and planning for individual developmental needs.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and their implementation.
• Leadership and management skills for operational aspects of early years provision.
• Reflective practice and continuous professional development techniques.
• Proficient record-keeping, report writing, and administrative skills.
These knowledge and skills will be highly valuable for further studies, enabling learners to pursue advanced degrees or specialised training in early childhood education, leadership, or related fields.
The CACHE Level 5 Diploma for Senior Practitioners in an Early Years Setting is a high-quality qualification designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for roles which are in demand from employers in the early years sector, including in a senior role such as setting management. It serves as a pathway for learners to develop expertise and prepare for further study.
The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of senior practitioner roles in early years settings. The objectives include:
• Equipping learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours for skilled job roles.
• Offering a practical and employer-led course to develop practical experience and expertise.
• Providing retraining or upskilling opportunities for individuals aged 19 and over.
• Preparing learners for progression to further study or training in the field.
The learner will study a range of key topics in the early years sector, including but not limited to:
• Promoting health, well-being, and resilience in children.
• Effective interaction and deep-level learning facilitation.
• Leadership in daily routines, practice, and physical environment maintenance.
• Key person approach and child advocacy.
• Best practices in observation, assessment, and planning for individual needs.
• Inclusion, diversity, and equality in early years settings.
• Safeguarding legislation and strategies implementation.
• Effective resource deployment and child-centred practice.
• Reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
• Collaborative partnerships with parents, carers, and multi-agencies.
By completing this course, learners will develop the following knowledge, practical, and technical skills:
• In-depth understanding of child development and its impact on learning and well-being.
• Application of ethical and rights-based approaches in supporting children's individual journeys.
• Competence in planning and facilitating engaging and inclusive learning environments.
• Effective communication and collaboration with parents, professionals, and multi-agencies.
• Skills in observation, assessment, and planning for individual developmental needs.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and their implementation.
• Leadership and management skills for operational aspects of early years provision.
• Reflective practice and continuous professional development techniques.
• Proficient record-keeping, report writing, and administrative skills.
These knowledge and skills will be highly valuable for further studies, enabling learners to pursue advanced degrees or specialised training in early childhood education, leadership, or related fields.
Course Syllabus
Course Syllabus
The qualification is divided in ten blocks of learning, aligned to the early years lead practitioner occupational standard ST0551 and is recognised as a higher technical qualification (HTQ) by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). It has received a quality-mark to signify it has been approved by IfATE and satisfies HTQ approvals criteria to meet specific employer needs and industry requirements.
This qualification also meets the requirements of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria, allowing the learner, upon completion of the qualification, to count towards the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (EYFS) staff:child ratio at level 3.
The early years senior practitioner is a positive role model for the team. Through clear leadership and effective management, the senior practitioner supports and promotes best practice within legislative requirements to enable quality provision. Working collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and parents/carers, the senior practitioner engages and motivates all involved for improved outcomes for babies and children.
The areas covered in this qualification include:
- quality environments
- early years pedagogy
- regulation
- care routines
- professional development
- special educational needs and disability (SEND)
- safeguarding
- inclusion
- development
- play for learning
- partnership working
- the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
- leading and managing
- health, safety and wellbeing
- roles and responsibilities
The qualification is divided in ten blocks of learning, aligned to the early years lead practitioner occupational standard ST0551 and is recognised as a higher technical qualification (HTQ) by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). It has received a quality-mark to signify it has been approved by IfATE and satisfies HTQ approvals criteria to meet specific employer needs and industry requirements.
This qualification also meets the requirements of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria, allowing the learner, upon completion of the qualification, to count towards the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (EYFS) staff:child ratio at level 3.
The early years senior practitioner is a positive role model for the team. Through clear leadership and effective management, the senior practitioner supports and promotes best practice within legislative requirements to enable quality provision. Working collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and parents/carers, the senior practitioner engages and motivates all involved for improved outcomes for babies and children.
The areas covered in this qualification include:
- quality environments
- early years pedagogy
- regulation
- care routines
- professional development
- special educational needs and disability (SEND)
- safeguarding
- inclusion
- development
- play for learning
- partnership working
- the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
- leading and managing
- health, safety and wellbeing
- roles and responsibilities
Placement Requirements
Placement Requirements
You will need access to a suitable placement to undertake this programme, logging a minimum of 300 hours.
This can be within:
- School nurseries
- School Reception classes
- Pre-schools
- Private nurseries
- Registered childminder (where you have support staff working with you)
- Local Authority nurseries
- Foundation Stage units
- Sure Start/Children's Centres
- Other Ofsted registered early years settings
Please note, breakfast and after-school clubs are not suitable for this qualification.
You will need to demonstrate some supervisory responsibilities as a part of your qualification for some of the tasks. For such tasks, you will need to supervise and/or mentor at least two practitioners within your setting.
You will need access to a suitable placement to undertake this programme, logging a minimum of 300 hours.
This can be within:
- School nurseries
- School Reception classes
- Pre-schools
- Private nurseries
- Registered childminder (where you have support staff working with you)
- Local Authority nurseries
- Foundation Stage units
- Sure Start/Children's Centres
- Other Ofsted registered early years settings
Please note, breakfast and after-school clubs are not suitable for this qualification.
You will need to demonstrate some supervisory responsibilities as a part of your qualification for some of the tasks. For such tasks, you will need to supervise and/or mentor at least two practitioners within your setting.
Your Future
Your Future
Successful completion of this qualification provide progression opportunities for learners including:
• Entry-level positions in the early years sector.
• Progression into senior practitioner or management roles within early years settings.
• Advancement to higher-level apprenticeships or further study in early childhood education.
• Specialisation in specific areas such as child development, inclusion, or leadership.
You will be able to move to our Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Pedagogy, which will allow you to apply for EYTS and QTS qualifications, should you wish.
Successful completion of this qualification provide progression opportunities for learners including:
• Entry-level positions in the early years sector.
• Progression into senior practitioner or management roles within early years settings.
• Advancement to higher-level apprenticeships or further study in early childhood education.
• Specialisation in specific areas such as child development, inclusion, or leadership.
You will be able to move to our Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Pedagogy, which will allow you to apply for EYTS and QTS qualifications, should you wish.
F.A.Q.s
F.A.Q.s
Does this qualification allow me to work in the early years ratio?
This qualification is mapped to the DfE competencies for. both the current and the September 2024 Early Years Educator status requirement for level 3 Early Years Educators. During your studies, you will be able to work at level 2 in ratio, and after completion you will be able to work in level 3 ratio in the early years as guided by the EYFS.
Does an assessor come and visit me?
An assessor will visit you in your setting and undertake a number of observations and professional discussions of your practice. They will also gather work-based evidence pieces and talk to your work-based mentor to confirm that you are working in practice to the standard of an Early Years Educator.
Do I have lessons with my tutor?
You can book as many 121 sessions as you need with your tutor, webinars, and taught sessions online.
Are there any deadlines?
At the beginning of your course, there is an opportunity to develop your Personal Learning Plan (PLP) where you will plan appropriate submission dates for your work with your tutor. These can be revised where necessary, but it is important that you aim to work closely to your goals.
Do I get a textbook?
There are no set textbooks for this qualification as yet. However, you will have access to your learning system where you will interact with digital, online resources to support your learning. There are options to purchase topic-specific textbooks at your own discretion.
Do I have to attend a centre?
You do not need to attend sessions in person. Sessions are conducted on Zoom and the assessor will visit you in your own setting.
What if I don't have any early years experience?
This qualification is suitable for both experienced early years professionals, who already hold EYE Status and wish to progress to opportunities such as becoming a manager or our level 6 programme, or extend their knowledge, as well as those new to the sector, as the EYE Status is also integrated into the qualification. We welcome applications from individuals with allied knowledge and qualifications at level 3, including social care, education, teaching and learning support, special educational needs, and other related sectors.
Does this qualification allow me to work in the early years ratio?
This qualification is mapped to the DfE competencies for. both the current and the September 2024 Early Years Educator status requirement for level 3 Early Years Educators. During your studies, you will be able to work at level 2 in ratio, and after completion you will be able to work in level 3 ratio in the early years as guided by the EYFS.
Does an assessor come and visit me?
An assessor will visit you in your setting and undertake a number of observations and professional discussions of your practice. They will also gather work-based evidence pieces and talk to your work-based mentor to confirm that you are working in practice to the standard of an Early Years Educator.
Do I have lessons with my tutor?
You can book as many 121 sessions as you need with your tutor, webinars, and taught sessions online.
Are there any deadlines?
At the beginning of your course, there is an opportunity to develop your Personal Learning Plan (PLP) where you will plan appropriate submission dates for your work with your tutor. These can be revised where necessary, but it is important that you aim to work closely to your goals.
Do I get a textbook?
There are no set textbooks for this qualification as yet. However, you will have access to your learning system where you will interact with digital, online resources to support your learning. There are options to purchase topic-specific textbooks at your own discretion.
Do I have to attend a centre?
You do not need to attend sessions in person. Sessions are conducted on Zoom and the assessor will visit you in your own setting.
What if I don't have any early years experience?
This qualification is suitable for both experienced early years professionals, who already hold EYE Status and wish to progress to opportunities such as becoming a manager or our level 6 programme, or extend their knowledge, as well as those new to the sector, as the EYE Status is also integrated into the qualification. We welcome applications from individuals with allied knowledge and qualifications at level 3, including social care, education, teaching and learning support, special educational needs, and other related sectors.
Funding Your Studies
Funding Your Studies
NCCE offer the opportunity to spread the cost of your studies interest-free for a duration of up to 24 months, helping to promote a low-cost alternative to going to university and taking out thousands of pounds of student finance, that has hefty interest added to your loan.
Please see our page Funding Your Learning for more information.
NCCE offer the opportunity to spread the cost of your studies interest-free for a duration of up to 24 months, helping to promote a low-cost alternative to going to university and taking out thousands of pounds of student finance, that has hefty interest added to your loan.
Please see our page Funding Your Learning for more information.
