BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
BIIAB Level 3 Diploma EYE
The BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Early Years is a professional qualification designed to equip learners with the essential skills to support the growth and well-being from birth to 5 Years
Course overview
What you will learn ?
Who would benefit from this course?
The BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) is designed for individuals seeking to build or progress a career in early years education. It provides the “full and relevant” status required by the Department for Education to work as a qualified Early Years Educator in nurseries, pre-schools, and reception classes. Suitable for both new entrants and experienced childcare practitioners, the course combines essential theory with practical experience. It also supports career progression into roles such as Room Leader or Deputy Manager, while equipping learners with the skills to work within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and deliver high-quality, inclusive care.
Learn more about accreditation
Ofqual Regulated: The qualification is regulated by Ofqual (The Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), ensuring it meets strict national standards for quality and assessment. It is listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) with the qualification number 601/7786/X. Department for Education (DfE) Recognised: This diploma is recognised by the Department for Education as a "full and relevant" qualification. This means that upon completion, you achieve full Early Years Educator (EYE) status, allowing you to be counted in the Level 3 staff-to-child ratios in early years settings across England. BIIAB Awarding Body: The course is awarded by BIIAB (part of the Skills and Education Group), a leading awarding organisation that specialises in vocational qualifications. This ensures that your certificate is globally recognised by employers within the education and childcare sectors.
Course Modules
- LO1: Understand patterns of children’s development from birth up to 8 years
- LO2: Understand evidence-based approaches to child development
- LO3: Understand the significance of attachment to children’s development
- LO4: Understand how to support children’s speech, language and communication
- LO5: Understand how transitions and significant events affect children’s lives
- Assessment
- LO1: Understand the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- LO2: Understand how to apply the safeguarding and welfare requirements within the EYFS
- LO3: Be able to implement the education programme within the EYFS
- LO4: Be able to support children’s progress towards EYFS outcomes
- Assessment
- LO1: Understand the importance of promoting diversity, equality and inclusion
- LO2: Be able to use practice that reflects cultural differences and family circumstances
- LO3: Be able to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
- LO4: Be able to support children with additional needs in early years practice
- Assessment
FAQs
There are no formal entry requirements for the BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator). Learners must, however, be assessed to ensure they have a reasonable chance of successfully completing the qualification and are able to generate the required assessment evidence. The qualification is suitable for learners aged 16–18 and 19+. As the qualification includes competence-based assessment, learners will need access to an appropriate real work environment/early years setting where the required practical evidence can be generated.
The BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) is an Ofqual-regulated Level 3 qualification. The specification states that it meets the Early Years Educator criteria defined by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) and is recognised as a full and relevant qualification at Level 3 for practitioners to be included in the specified ratios of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Assessment is primarily through a portfolio of evidence. Learners are required to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and occupational competence through a range of evidence, including written evidence and direct observation in the workplace. For competence-based learning outcomes, assessment decisions must be made in a real work environment by an occupationally competent and appropriately qualified assessor, with direct observation as the main source of evidence.
Yes. The qualification is designed around the development and demonstration of occupational competence in an early years setting. Learners can develop and evidence their knowledge and practical skills alongside their work. The BIIAB guidance also recognises tutorials, supervised study, supervised on-the-job learning and pre-arranged 1:1 teaching sessions, including online sessions, as possible forms of guided learning.
The qualification develops the knowledge and skills required to work with children in early years settings. The curriculum covers children's development from birth up to 8 years, including expected development from birth to 5 years and from 5 to 8 years.
The BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) is a Level 3 qualification regulated by Ofqual, with Qualification Number 601/7786/X. It is recognised as a full and relevant Level 3 qualification for Early Years Educator purposes and is designed to confirm occupational competence for roles such as Early Years Educator, Childminder or Nursery Nurse. The qualification carries 64 credits, with 331 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and 640 Total Qualification Time (TQT).
The qualification is designed to develop the knowledge and practical skills required to work effectively in early years settings. Successful learners may progress into roles such as Early Years Educator, Nursery Nurse, Nursery Supervisor, Nursery Manager or Pre-school Manager, depending on their experience, role requirements and further development.
Achieving Level 3 status allows you to take on more senior responsibilities, such as becoming a Room Leader, and is often a requirement for moving into management. From a Level 3 qualification, your career can expand even further: Specialisation: You can train to become a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). Management: You can pursue Level 4 or 5 qualifications in Leadership and Management for the Early Years. Higher Education: The knowledge gained at Levels 2 and 3 provides the foundation for university-level study, such as a Foundation Degree or a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, which can eventually lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Antai is committed to supporting learners throughout their qualification journey. Learners can access support from the Student Support Officer for administrative and programme-related queries. Where additional academic guidance is required, learners may also request a 1-hour live support session with a tutor. These sessions can be used to clarify learning content, discuss assessment requirements, understand portfolio expectations or address questions relating to the learner's progress. Learners will also receive guidance on the qualification requirements, assessment process and evidence needed to successfully complete the programme. The BIIAB guidance recommends initial assessment and induction to identify learners' support and guidance needs.
Learners will have 18 months of access to the programme's learning resources. The qualification and all required assessment activities must be completed within this 18-month access period. Learners are encouraged to plan their study and assessment activities effectively so that they can complete all required learning, evidence and assessment within the available timeframe. The BIIAB specification confirms that learners require access to the relevant units and supporting resources as part of delivery.