If you’re looking for an affordable route into becoming an early years educator, the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector is the qualification you need — and you don’t have to pay over the odds, or travel outside Croydon, to get it.
Easy Training 123 offers this qualification for £950 (reduced from £1,800), with the flexibility to study fully online from anywhere, or attend in-person sessions at our office in Croydon if you prefer face-to-face support. Whichever way you choose to study, you get the same full qualification and the same level of tutor support.
What This Qualification Involves
This is a fully regulated, nationally recognised qualification (Qualification Number: 610/4164/6), made up of 10 mandatory units and 95 credits. It’s designed for anyone preparing to become an Early Years Educator, working with children from birth to five years, with additional knowledge of children aged five to seven.
A few key facts worth knowing before you enrol:
- No previous experience or qualifications are needed to enrol — you just need to be at least 16 years old.
- There are no written exams. The qualification is assessed through an internally assessed, externally quality assured portfolio of evidence, built up through your placement and coursework.
- A work placement is required so you can demonstrate real, practical competence — not just theoretical knowledge.
- This qualification counts towards the Level 3 staff-to-child ratio, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, meaning it directly qualifies you for paid, ratio’d roles in a nursery or early years setting.
- Learners will also need a Level 2 English qualification to be counted within staff:child ratios at Level 3 — something to check if you don’t already hold a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent.
Why It’s a Genuinely Affordable Option
A lower price only counts as “affordable” if it doesn’t cost you support, legitimacy, or your chances of actually completing the course. At £950, our course includes:
- Full tutor support throughout, so you’re never left to work through your portfolio alone
- Flexible study options — fully online, or in-person in Croydon, at no extra cost either way
- A “Full and Relevant” qualification, meeting Department for Education (DfE) criteria for Early Years Educator status
- Genuine NCFE CACHE accreditation, regulated by Ofqual
Before enrolling anywhere advertising a low price for this qualification, it’s worth checking the provider is a properly approved centre. You can verify Easy Training 123 directly on NCFE’s own centre qualification list, which confirms our centre code and the qualifications we’re approved to deliver.
Easy Training 123 offers this qualification for £950 (reduced from £1,800), with the flexibility to study fully online from anywhere, or attend in-person sessions at our office in Croydon if you prefer face-to-face support.
Studying Online or In-Person in Croydon
One of the advantages of training with us is that you’re not locked into one format. If you’re based in or near Croydon, South Croydon, Purley, or Thornton Heath, you can choose in-person sessions at our Croydon office for face-to-face guidance. If you’d rather study entirely from home, or you’re based further afield, the same qualification is fully available online, with tutor support delivered remotely throughout.
Either way, your placement — where you’ll demonstrate your practical skills — can be arranged at a nursery, pre-school, or early years setting local to you, so you don’t need to be tied to Croydon to complete the course, even if that’s where our team is based.
Where This Qualification Can Take You
Once qualified, you’ll be able to enter the workforce as an Early Years Educator in roles such as:
- Nursery practitioner or educator
- Pre-school worker
- Reception class assistant in a primary school
And if you’re planning further ahead, this Level 3 diploma also opens the door to the NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner, for when you’re ready to move into a room leader or deputy manager role.
Get Started
Ready to start your NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector at an affordable price, with the flexibility to study online or in-person in Croydon? View full course details and enrol here, or contact our Croydon-based team if you have questions before signing up. You can also call us on 0208 2404474 or email admin@easytraining123.com.
What Our Students Have To Say
At Easy Training 123, we help you gain the skills to build a better future. But don’t just take our word for it—hear from our students and see where our courses have taken them!
Friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. I liked how each lesson built on the last one. Worth the money.
Sarah Oke
Student
Easy Training 123 helped me build confidence fast. The lessons were short and clear. I always looked forward to class.
Patrice Ojutalayo
Student
I was nervous at first, but the trainer made it easy. Simple explanations, no rushing. I'm glad I signed up.
Blessing Oloruntoba
Student
I took a class with Easy Training 123 last month. The trainer was kind and easy to follow. I learned a lot!