Want to become an Early Years Educator without giving up your job or rearranging your whole week around a classroom timetable? The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector can be studied fully online, and at Easy Training 123, that’s exactly how most of our learners complete it — at their own pace, with full tutor support, wherever they’re based.
What This Qualification Actually Is
This is the current, most recent version of the Early Years Educator (EYE) qualification (Qualification Number: 610/4164/6), replacing all earlier versions. It’s designed for anyone preparing to work directly with children from birth to five years old, with additional knowledge of children aged five to seven, in nurseries, pre-schools, and reception classes.
To complete it, learners need to achieve 95 credits across 10 mandatory units. On successful completion, it’s intended that you’ll be ready to enter the workforce straight away as a fully qualified Early Years Educator, in roles such as:
- Early Years Practitioner
- Early Years Teacher
- Children’s Centre Worker
- Playschool Assistant
- Childminder or Nanny
How the Online Study Actually Works
You’ll access all of your course materials and submit your work through an online learning platform, at times that suit you. There are no formal exams — the qualification is assessed through a mix of written assignments, practical tasks, workplace observations, and professional discussions, building into an internally assessed, externally quality assured portfolio of evidence. Your tutor marks your work and guides you through each stage, so studying online doesn’t mean studying alone.
If an assignment doesn’t pass first time, that’s not the end of it — you can resubmit as many times as you need until you do, with feedback from your tutor after every attempt.
The Placement: The One Part That Isn’t Online
The one part that can’t happen entirely online is the practical placement — you’ll need access to an early years setting (birth to 5 years) to demonstrate real, hands-on competence. Placement hour requirements vary a little between providers, generally sitting somewhere between 300 and 350 hours, so it’s worth checking exactly what’s required with whichever provider you enrol with. During your placement, an assessor will carry out workplace observations of your practice and give you feedback on your progress.
The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector can be studied fully online, and at Easy Training 123, that’s exactly how most of our learners complete it — at their own pace, with full tutor support, wherever they’re based.
Why It's Worth Getting Qualified
This diploma isn’t just a certificate — it’s a genuine “Full and Relevant” qualification, recognised by the Department for Education (DfE), which means it counts you towards the Level 3 staff-to-child ratio under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. In practical terms, that’s the difference between being an unqualified assistant and being counted as a fully licensed Level 3 practitioner in a nursery setting — which affects both your job prospects and your pay.
Worth knowing: to be counted in ratio, most settings also expect a Level 2 English qualification (GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent) alongside this diploma, so it’s worth checking you meet that requirement too.
Who This Qualification Is For
This course suits:
- Anyone new to childcare wanting a genuine route into a nursery or early years role
- Nursery assistants or unqualified practitioners looking to move up to a fully qualified Level 3 position
- Anyone changing career into early years education who can access a placement setting
You’ll need to be at least 16 years old to enrol, with no other formal entry requirements.
Studying Online Doesn’t Mean Studying Unsupported
At Easy Training 123, online study comes with:
- A dedicated tutor who marks your work and guides you through the portfolio process
- Full access to course materials whenever suits your schedule
- Flexibility to study while continuing to work, volunteer, or complete your placement
- Unlimited resubmission attempts if an assignment doesn’t pass the first time
Once you’ve completed and passed every unit, certificates are typically issued within a matter of weeks — worth asking your provider for their exact turnaround time before you enrol.
Checking a Qualification Is Genuinely Regulated
Before enrolling anywhere for an online early years qualification, it’s worth checking the course is genuinely Ofqual-regulated and matches the correct qualification number. You can verify this specific qualification directly on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications, which confirms the qualification number, level, and current regulatory status — a number you can also check directly with NCFE.
Where This Qualification Can Take You
Once qualified, this diploma opens the door to further progression, including 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 study the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector online, with full tutor support from wherever you are? View full course details and enrol here, or contact our team if you have questions before signing up. You can also call us on 0208 2404474 or email admin@easytraining123.com.
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