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Level 3 Education & Early Years

Marketing Title
Level 3
Full-Time
ACCAF301 (2025/2027)
02/09/2025
Format
25/06/2027
Format
Accrington & Rossendale College - Accrington & Rossendale College, Broad Oak Campus, Broad Oak Road, Accrington, BB5 2AS
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Course Information

Course Information
Passionate about working with children? The Level 3 Education & Early Years course is your chance to inspire, support, and make a real difference during the most important stage of a child’s life. You’ll study everything from child development and safeguarding to play, communication, and assessment, while gaining essential experience on work placements in nurseries/schools. You'll end your course with the confidence and skills to step straight into work as an Early Years Educator—or to continue your journey with university or further training.

Shape the future, one child at a time.
Do you want to play a key role in shaping children’s lives and helping them thrive in their earliest years? The Level 3 Education & Early Years course gives you the skills, confidence, and real experience to make a genuine difference.

You’ll dive into child development, discovering how children grow, learn, and change from birth to age five, and learn how to support every stage of their journey. You’ll explore safeguarding and health and safety so you know how to keep children safe, alongside key laws and frameworks that guide the early years sector.

One of the most exciting parts of the course is learning how children develop through play. You’ll plan creative, purposeful activities, use observation and assessment techniques to track progress, and discover how to create inspiring environments where children can flourish. Strong communication and professionalism are also at the heart of this qualification—you’ll learn to work with families, colleagues, and other professionals, developing the skills you’ll use every day in your career.

Best of all, you’ll take part in work placements in nurseries/schools/other early years settings. This hands-on experience lets you put your knowledge into practice, gain confidence, and show employers what you can do.

By the end of the course, you’ll be ready for skilled roles such as Early Years Educator, nursery worker, or teaching assistant—or you could continue your journey with university study in childcare, teaching, or related fields.

If you’re passionate, creative, and ready to give children the best start in life, this course is your next step.
The Level 3 Education and Early Years course is delivered through classroom study, practical workshops, and substantial work placements. In college, you’ll explore topics such as child development, safeguarding, and supporting learning through lessons, group projects, and case studies. You’ll also complete placements in early years/school settings, applying theory to practice and building confidence in real environments. This balance of academic study and workplace learning ensures you develop the knowledge and professional skills needed for future study or employment.
To enrol on this course, you will need 5 GCSE passes at a minimum of Grade 4, which must include a Grade 3 and 4 in English Language or Literature and Maths, in either combination.
Assessment for this course is based on coursework, practical observations, and evidence gathered in your placement. You’ll complete written assignments and projects to demonstrate your understanding of key topics, alongside practical assessments where tutors observe you working directly with children. A portfolio of evidence will track your development, combining academic learning with applied practice. This supportive and continuous approach ensures you showcase both your knowledge and professional skills, preparing you for employment or university.
"Studying Level 3 Education and Early Years sets you on a rewarding path to shaping the lives of children and young people. This course is not just about theory—it develops the practical skills and professional qualities needed to support learning, care, and development. On completion, you will be ready to take your next steps into sectors such as early years childcare, primary education, or special educational needs, where caring and dedicated professionals are highly valued.

The qualification is also an excellent springboard to university, leading to degrees in Primary Education, Early Childhood Studies, Child Psychology, or Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). These can lead to respected careers such as Primary Teacher, Early Years Teacher, SEND Specialist, Child Psychologist, or Education Officer. Some students also progress into roles such as Social Work, Youth Work, or Educational Leadership, making a difference to children, families, and communities.

Education and childcare careers are vital and impactful, with demand for skilled professionals continuing to grow. Whether your ambition is to teach, provide early support, or influence educational practice, Level 3 Education and Early Years provides the foundation, confidence, and inspiration to build a meaningful career."

Fee and Waiver Information

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Our courses are funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA).

In some circumstances, this funding allows us to offer courses at a reduced cost to learners who meet certain eligibility criteria. Below are the standard course fees for Lancashire residents and, where applicable, the reduced fees available to eligible learners.

To qualify for reduced fees, you may be required to complete a fee assessment and provide evidence to support your eligibility.

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The standard fee for anyone living outside of the LCCA funded area (e.g. if your home address is in the Greater Manchester devolved funded area) is charged at £12.10 per hour, but may be higher for some courses.

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Course Fees (evidence may be required) Fee
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