NCCE are offering the unique opportunity for you to undertake the TQUK Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner and the TQUK Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Pedagogy side-by-side, studying the main units of both qualifications and the practical elements together, and finalising with the Management Project for the Level 5 and Early Childhood Dissertation for the Level 6.
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will achieve both the Level 5 Diploma and the Level 6 Advanced Diploma.
We cannot wait to welcome you on this journey!
If you already hold a level 5, please head straight to our Level 6 programme!
⭐️ Full and Relevant Early Years Educator
⭐️ Blended Learning with unlimited online Zoom calls
⭐️ In-setting observations by an NCCE Assessor
⭐️ The Level 6 was developed by NCCE and the creator, Prof. Sam Ballington (PhD) has been conferred with Honorary Professorship due to her development of the qualification and impact to early years and education
⭐️ Interactive online learning - access your learning anywhere you need!
⭐️ Join an outstanding and specialist provider in Early Years, Education, and Family Wellbeing
⭐️ Create your Personal Learning Plan around your own learning intentions - we are flexible to you!
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will achieve both the Level 5 Diploma and the Level 6 Advanced Diploma.
We cannot wait to welcome you on this journey!
If you already hold a level 5, please head straight to our Level 6 programme!
⭐️ Full and Relevant Early Years Educator
⭐️ Blended Learning with unlimited online Zoom calls
⭐️ In-setting observations by an NCCE Assessor
⭐️ The Level 6 was developed by NCCE and the creator, Prof. Sam Ballington (PhD) has been conferred with Honorary Professorship due to her development of the qualification and impact to early years and education
⭐️ Interactive online learning - access your learning anywhere you need!
⭐️ Join an outstanding and specialist provider in Early Years, Education, and Family Wellbeing
⭐️ Create your Personal Learning Plan around your own learning intentions - we are flexible to you!
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Overview
Overview The Combined Level 5 and Level 6 Diploma in Early Years Education and Early Childhood Pedagogy is a fully integrated, work-based professional qualification designed for experienced early years practitioners who wish to progress into senior leadership, advanced pedagogical practice, and curriculum innovation. This programme embeds the Level 5 Diploma for Senior Early Years Practitioners alongside the Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Applied Innovative Practice in Early Childhood Pedagogy and Care, allowing learners to complete both qualifications in a cohesive, professionally structured pathway. The result is a powerful combination of: • Advanced play-based pedagogy • Leadership and quality improvement • Inclusive and equitable practice • Safeguarding and advocacy • Curriculum design and assessment expertise • Professional research-informed development This pathway bridges vocational leadership and higher-level pedagogical thinking, preparing practitioners for senior roles across the early years sector. Who is the Programme for?
Who This Programme Is For This programme is suitable for: • Senior early years practitioners • Room leaders and deputy managers • Nursery managers • Early Years Educators seeking progression • Practitioners moving into curriculum leadership roles • Professionals preparing for advanced academic study Learners must be working in a suitable early years setting and able to evidence applied leadership practice. Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements To enrol on the combined pathway, learners must: • Be aged 18+ • Hold a recognised Level 3 Early Years qualification • Be employed or placed within an appropriate early years setting • Complete a minimum required placement hours in line with qualification specifications A minimum of 400 placement hours is required across the Level 6 programme, including at least 200 hours within the Early Years Foundation Stage age range (birth-5). The remaining hours can be in Key Stage 1. Programme structure
Programme Structure The programme integrates all mandatory units from: Level 5 Diploma for Senior Early Years Practitioners (RQF) and Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Applied Innovative Practice in Early Childhood Pedagogy and Care (RQF.) The Level 5 content is embedded into the first six Level 6 units, with the Level 6 Research Project studied as the final unit. Unit 1: Philosophy, Theory and Practice of Play and Holistic Development• Philosophical approaches to play • Holistic child development (birth–7) • Curriculum intent, implementation and impact • Designing and evaluating play-based provision • Communication and language development • Supporting disadvantaged learners • Brain development and learning Unit 2: Advocating for Children’s Rights, Well-being, Safeguarding and Protection• Children’s rights frameworks • Safeguarding leadership • Ethical decision-making • Attachment and co-regulation • Emotional wellbeing • Safeguarding culture and policy evaluation Unit 3: Nurturing Collaborative Partnerships for Young Children• Parent partnerships • Multi-agency working • Supporting transitions • Family engagement • Communication strategies • Leadership in partnership culture Unit 4: Beyond Equity and Inclusion• Inclusive leadership • Cultural competence • SEND support • Equity-driven pedagogy • Adapting curriculum for diverse learners • Persistent and proactive inclusive practice Unit 5: Historical and Contemporary Debates in Early Childhood• History of early childhood education • Policy evolution • Social justice debates • Curriculum reform • Government policy and sector change • Critical reflection on early years discourse Unit 6: Professional Practice in Early Childhood Education and Care• Leadership models • Coaching and mentoring • Quality assurance systems • Inspection readiness • Professional standards • Continuous professional development Unit 7: Research, Innovation and Improvement in Early Childhood Education• Research methodologies • Ethical frameworks • Data collection and analysis • Action research • Practice improvement • Dissertation and research project This qualification is internally assessed and externally quality assured. Assessment methods include: • Critical written assignments • Reflective accounts • Observations of practice • Professional discussions • Activity planning and evaluation • Leadership improvement project • Research proposal and dissertation All applied learning outcomes are assessed within a real work environment. There is no grading – all units must be passed. Placement Requirements
Learners must: • Be working in a suitable Ofsted-registered early years setting • Complete a minimum of 400 logged placement hours • Spend at least 200 hours working within the EYFS age range • Conduct their research project within Early Years Foundation Stage age groups Progression Opportunities
Progression Opportunities Successful learners may progress to: • Master’s level study • Early Years Teacher Status (if eligible) • Senior leadership roles • Nursery management • Early years consultancy • Curriculum leadership • Inspection leadership roles This qualification provides 120 credits at Level 6, which may be recognised by Higher Education Institutions (subject to their policies). |
