How you’d get this certificate
- Zavmo teaches you. You learn the units one-to-one with an AI tutor, on your own work.
- You register with an approved centre. That is a college, training provider or employer Open Awards has approved to offer this qualification. Zavmo is not an approved centre, so you register with them, not with us.
- The centre assesses, and Open Awards awards. A qualified assessor at the centre judges your evidence, and the certificate comes from Open Awards.
This qualification confirms the competence of early years educators. It includes working in partnership, supporting healthy lifestyles, and assessing children's development. Successful candidates are qualified to work as Early Years Educators.
These are the units Open Awards registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated. Zavmo teaches towards them on your own work.
Zavmo is not an awarding body, is not an approved centre, and is not affiliated with Open Awards. It does the teaching and the mapping. Open Awards sets this qualification and awards it, and a qualified human assessor makes the assessment decision.
What each unit actually teaches you to do
Assessing Children's Learning and Development Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the importance of effective assessment in helping parents, carers and practitioners to recognise children’s progress, understand their needs, and to plan and provide activities and support.
- Compare different assessment methods and techniques.
- Outline key stages in assessing children’s progress.
- Demonstrate carrying out an assessment within the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework and settings requirements.
- Demonstrate recording results accurately.
- Demonstrate sharing outcomes appropriately following organisational confidentiality protocols.
- Explain the role of formative assessment in learning and development processes.
- Explain how to communicate effectively with key individuals in reviewing child’s progress.
- Demonstrate creating and agreeing effective plans with key individuals for further progress.
- Explain different approaches to assessment, including when and why to carry out accurate and proportionate assessment.
- Demonstrate working with colleagues to learn and apply efficient approaches to assessment.
- Identify where progress in child development requires support.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of adaptations made to the learning programme.
Effective Communication and Teamwork in an Early Years Setting Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the benefits of team working in an early years setting for the children.
- Explain the benefits of team working in an early years setting for other members of staff.
- Explain the benefits of team working in an early years setting for the organisation.
- Describe factors that contribute to effective team working.
- Explain ways in which conflict in a team can be managed.
- Identify three examples of how own role supports team activities and objectives.
- Explain why it is important to communicate effectively at work.
- Provide examples of how to communicate with individuals who have specific language needs or wishes.
- Provide examples of ways to make yourself understood through written and verbal communication.
- Provide examples of how to reduce barriers to communication.
- Demonstrate effective communication with children.
- Demonstrate effective communication with parents/carers.
- Demonstrate effective communication with other early years professionals.
Implementing Support for Children with SEND Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the importance of working with others, including parents and/or carers, to support children with SEND.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills, including when working with others, parents and/or carers.
- Evaluate the impact of working with others on the progress and wellbeing of children with SEND.
- Identify strategies for creating an inclusive and supportive environment for children with SEND.
- Evaluate the impact of a supportive environment on the progress and wellbeing of children with SEND.
- Reflect on own contribution to creating a supportive work environment.
- Demonstrate using specialist aids, resources and equipment available to support babies and children with SEND.
- Use a scenario to create a plan for a specific child/children, using the statutory frameworks and codes of practice to address areas identified for personal development.
- Use a scenario to create a plan for a specific child/children, using the statutory frameworks and codes of practice to address areas identified for physical development.
- Use a scenario to create a plan for a specific child/children, using the statutory frameworks and codes of practice to address areas identified for emotional development.
- Use a scenario to create a plan for a specific child/children, using the statutory frameworks and codes of practice to address areas identified for social development.
- Outline the key components of a child’s care plan.
- Demonstrate working with others, including parents and/or carers, to review and update a child’s care plan.
Keeping Babies and Children Safe Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand own responsibilities in relation to health and safety.
- Understand own responsibilities in relation to confidentiality of information.
- Explain how to promote the welfare of babies and children.
- Describe the signs and symptoms which may indicate a child is injured, unwell, or in need of urgent medical/ dental attention.
- Demonstrate supporting children to keep themselves and others safe.
- Compare own organisation's policies and procedures regarding risk assessment and management against local and national requirements.
- Complete at least one risk assessment.
- Demonstrate how own organisation manages risk.
- Explain what is meant by an accident.
- Explain what is meant by an emergency situation.
- Give an example of how to respond and take appropriate action when an accident occurs.
- Give an example of how to respond and take appropriate action when an emergency occurs.
- Explain the importance of prevention and control of infections.
- Identify ways in which own personal hygiene can prevent the risk and spread of infection.
- Explain measures that are in place to prevent and control the risk of infection in own organisation.
- Explain appropriate action to take on discovering symptoms of disease and infection.
- Explain the importance of exclusion and isolation for infectious diseases.
- Explain how own organisation maintains accurate and coherent records.
- Give three examples of information that is recorded and shared to support the health and wellbeing of babies and children in own organisation.
- Plan a full care routine.
- Carry out a full care routine.
- Outline why mealtimes can be high-risk for babies and young children.
- Explain why it is important for babies and children to have a health, balanced and nutritious diet.
- Prepare food that is suitable for the age and development of babies and children.
- Explain how you would find and apply the most up-to-date advice on weaning provided by the NHS.
- Supervise children whilst eating.
- Explain the importance of ensuring equipment, furniture and materials are used safely.
Personal Development for Early Years Educators Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Explain own role and responsibilities.
- Explain expected behaviours in own role.
- Explain two other roles and their responsibilities within the team.
- Explain how own behaviour can impact on babies and children.
- Explain how others’ behaviour can impact on babies and children.
- Give examples of how respecting and promoting diversity and inclusion is an important part of own role.
- Give examples of how respecting and promoting cultural differences is an important part of own role.
- Give examples of how respecting and promoting family circumstances is an important part of own role.
- Give examples of how the organisation's approach and values underpin the environment.
- Outline three procedures used in own organisation and reflect on own compliance with them.
- Outline the legal rights of children according to their current needs.
- Outline the legal rights of children according to their future needs.
- Give examples of where they have contributed to the updating of policies and procedures.
- Give examples of where they have contributed to the development of policies and procedures.
- Explain why it is important to adhere to organisational procedures in the case of food allergies.
- Explain why it is important to adhere to organisational procedures in the case of recording of accidents.
- Explain why it is important to adhere to organisational procedures in the case of severe weather events.
- Contribute to an activity which focuses on the importance of maintaining hygiene practices.
- Explain the importance of reflective practice to continuously improve the quality of service.
- Use a model of reflection to evaluate own practice.
- Explain the importance of continuing professional development for Early Years staff.
- Outline the purpose and impact of effective supervision.
- Review and prioritise own development needs.
- Work with others to create a personal development plan.
- Explain how a Level 3 Early Years Educator may be expected to supervise staff.
- Explain how a Level 3 Early Years Educator may be expected to lead a setting.
- Identify learning needs of others.
- Demonstrate how to support colleagues by identifying their personal development needs.
- Review own contribution to the development of others.
- Give examples of positive ways they have supported the practice of colleagues.
- Give examples of positive ways they have challenged the practice of colleagues.
Planning a Curriculum for Children Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Describe what is meant by ‘appropriate’ education and curriculum for children and young people.
- Describe the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements for early education curriculum.
- Plan an educational programme for children for: a) 0-5 year olds b) 5-7 year olds.
- Demonstrate appropriate curriculum and practice support for children aged 0-5 years old and 5-7 years old.
- Analyse examples of instances where curriculum and methods of communication may need to be reviewed/ changed to reflect a child’s stage of development.
- Outline how the design of the day and expectations adapt to support and reflect all children’s current needs.
- Analyse the impact of an effective communication and language curriculum.
- Communicate with children in ways that will extend learning and development, including: a) Verbal communication b) Non-verbal communication.
- Develop activities and interactions to promote babies’ and children’s speech, language, and communication.
- Demonstrate helping children to catch-up with language development through planned use of pronunciations, words and phrases.
- Identify when a child may need extra support.
- Demonstrate how to assist a child when extra support has been identified.
Supporting Child Development Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Identify how cognitive science, evidence-based theories, and philosophical approaches support babies’ and children’s development.
- Describe the expected patterns of babies’ and children’s development from: a) 0-5 years old b) 5-7 years old.
- Demonstrate how to support babies and children with their: a) Physical development b) Cognitive development c) Speech/ language and communication development d) Emotional development e) Neurological and brain development.
- Analyse how self-regulation changes according to a child’s age and development.
- Demonstrate how to support babies and children to understand and manage their emotions and emotional reactions.
- Use co-regulation to support babies and children when they experience a range of emotions.
- Analyse how babies and children can form positive and appropriate attachments.
- Demonstrate implementing techniques for supporting children to form positive attachments.
- Explain ways to avoid stereotyping and prejudice when supporting children.
- Prepare babies and children through transitions and life events.
- Analyse how babies’ and children’s learning and development can be affected by: a) Their individual circumstances b) Significant events in their lives c) Cultural background d) Family circumstances.
- Give examples of how they have identified, helped and worked appropriately with others to provide children and babies with any additional support they may need.
- Describe the importance of physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing and how they can impact on babies’ and children’s development.
- Carry out strategies to encourage positive physical wellbeing.
- Carry out strategies to encourage positive mental wellbeing.
- Carry out strategies to encourage positive emotional wellbeing.
Supporting Healthy Lifestyles in Children Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the importance of healthy eating in children.
- Give an example of a healthy balanced diet using current dietary guidance for early years.
- Demonstrate sharing information with parents around the importance of healthy balanced diets.
- Demonstrate sharing information with carers around the importance of healthy balanced diets.
- Explain the importance of physical activity in the development of children.
- Demonstrate sharing information with parents around being physically active.
- Demonstrate sharing information with carers around being physically active.
- Explain the importance of looking after teeth and oral health.
- Demonstrate sharing information with parents around looking after teeth and oral health.
- Demonstrate sharing information with carers around looking after teeth and oral health.
Understanding How Children Learn Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Explain what is meant by the term pedagogical.
- Outline the different pedagogical approaches to be considered when working with children.
- Provide examples of how at least two different pedagogical approaches could be applied to own role.
- Explain how children develop characteristics for effective learning.
- Explain what is meant by a curriculum for children.
- Explain how to select the most appropriate pedagogical approaches based on a child’s prior knowledge and curriculum.
- Explain how the design, resourcing, and use of the indoor and outdoor physical environment supports children’s learning and development.
- Explain how a flexible approach is required when planning for children’s learning.
- Select the resources and learning environments that could support learning against the planned curriculum.
- Demonstrate selecting and combining the best pedagogical approaches, based on the curriculum and children’s prior knowledge.
- Demonstrate how to respond to the needs and interest of children to support a plan of learning.
- Demonstrate how to adapt own communication to ensure children’s understanding.
- Provide examples of where they have responded to the needs and interests of the child, to support intended learning.
Understanding Safeguarding and Child Protection Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Define the term ‘abuse’.
- Explain the six forms of abuse which children and young people may experience.
- Identify signs that may indicate that a child is being, or has been, abused.
- Describe actions that need to be taken if harm and/or abuse is suspected.
- Explain current local and national legislation and guidelines for safeguarding children.
- Explain why it is important to keep up to date with legislation and guidelines.
- Explain own workplace policies and procedures for safeguarding children.
- Explain local and national policies and procedures for safeguarding children.
- Explain why it is important to keep up to date with policies and procedures.
- Explain own role and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children.
- Explain why it is important to immediately report any concerns, suspicions or allegations of abuse.
- Explain own responsibility in relation to Whistleblowing.
- Explain the process for reporting concerns through Ofsted’s Whistleblowing policy.
- Explain what is meant by “disclosure”.
- Describe one of the benefits that good disclosure procedures may bring.
- Reflect on own performance relating to complying with safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures, including: a) Carrying out own role and responsibilities b) Providing appropriate supervision of others c) Staying updated on employer, local and national safeguarding policies and procedures.
Understanding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Describe the key principles of the requirement of a quality education for all children.
- Explain how promoting high standards meets the needs of children with SEND.
- Explain factors that can prevent the fulfilment of potential for children with SEND.
- Explain factors that can support the fulfilment of potential for children with SEND.
- Outline the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework and SEND code of practice in relation to the care and education of babies and children with SEND through a graduated approach.
- Describe different ways of balancing the four general areas of need against individual needs.
- Identify at least two strategies for supporting children with SEND.
- Explain the effectiveness of different strategies based on individual needs.
- Evaluate at least two strategies adopted for supporting children with SEND, within own role.
- Explain how a learning difficulty/disability may be distinguished from a developmental delay.
- Outline reasons for difficult or withdrawn behaviour in a baby or child that are not related to SEND.
- Identify factors that may contribute to developmental delays.
- Give examples of interventions for two types of developmental delay.
- Give examples of interventions for two types of learning difficulty/disability.
- Give examples of specialist aids, resources, and equipment available to support babies and children with SEND.
Working in Partnership with Others in Early Years Education Real unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Describe the importance for setting leaders to collaborate effectively with colleagues.
- Describe the importance for setting leaders to collaborate effectively with other relevant professions.
- Identify key individuals who are involved in partnership working to meeting babies’ and children’s needs.
- Identify key organisations who are involved in partnership working to meeting babies’ and children’s needs.
- Evaluate the strengths of partnerships and how they could be improved.
- Give examples of working in partnership with others when supporting babies and children.
- Undertake the role and responsibilities of the key person.
- Analyse the importance of effective parent engagement.
- Analyse the importance of effective carer engagement.
- Demonstrate ways of establishing strong channels of communication with parents.
- Demonstrate ways of establishing strong channels of communication with carers.
- Explain how successes could be celebrated with parents when stages of growth are reached.
- Explain how successes could be celebrated with carers when stages of growth are reached.
- Reflect on own performance in relation to making additional provisions to support babies’ education and development where they lack this support from parents.
- Reflect on own performance in relation to making additional provisions to support children’s education and development where they lack this support from parents.
- Reflect on own performance in relation to making additional provisions to support babies’ education and development where they lack this support from carers.
- Reflect on own performance in relation to making additional provisions to support children’s education and development where they lack this support from carers.
- Explain who the statutory agencies are that provide guidance for Early Years Education.
- Explain who the non-statutory agencies are that provide guidance for Early Years Education.
- Describe other professional partners who support babies’ development.
- Describe other professional partners who support young children’s development.
- Explain how to work in compliance with regulatory bodies, including reflecting on own contribution.
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The national standards these units are built against
What the job actually needs, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
- Standard
Recognise and manage adverse signs and symptoms in babies, children and young people
- Standard
Support implementation of the early years curriculum
One email to help you decide: the facts, what it teaches and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.
The credits, and who awards them
Level 3 credits are regulated, and they are awarded by Open Awards rather than by Zavmo. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you have covered and what is next.
What you would be collecting
Assessing Children's Learning and DevelopmentEffective Communication and Teamwork in an Early Years SettingImplementing Support for Children with SENDKeeping Babies and Children SafePersonal Development for Early Years EducatorsPlanning a Curriculum for ChildrenSupporting Child DevelopmentSupporting Healthy Lifestyles in Children
Each one is a real unit registered against this qualification.
How you’d practise it
You don’t watch this. You do it.
You are not assessed on remembering this. You are assessed on applying it, analysing it, evaluating it and producing something. So that is what the practice is: projects, role play and your own live cases, with a tutor in the room.
- Rehearse the conversation Apply
“Understanding Safeguarding and Child Protection” is a conversation before it is a document. You have it with Zavmo playing the other person, badly at first, then again once you know what you actually want to say.
- Bring your own plan Create
For “Implementing Support for Children with SEND” you bring the plan you are actually working on, not a case study. Zavmo pulls on the assumptions in it until the weak one shows.
- Lead it Apply
“Effective Communication and Teamwork in an Early Years Setting” is practised on the team you actually have. You talk through the call you are about to make, and Zavmo makes you say it the way you would say it to them.
How you would learn this
One to one, on the work you already do
A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.
A lesson from Assessing Children's Learning and Development, one of this qualification's own units.
Applied to your own work
Learners will develop skills to assess and record children’s learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The unit covers the importance of effective assessment, comparison of methods, and accurate recording to support planning and understanding children’s needs.
- 1 Remember
- 2 Understand
- 3 Apply
- 4 Analyse
- 5 Evaluate
- 6 Create
It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time. Teaching towards this qualification begins when you subscribe.
Built for Open Awards Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator (RQF)
12 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by Open Awards.
- Assessing Children's Learning and Development
- Effective Communication and Teamwork in an Early Years Setting
- Implementing Support for Children with SEND
- Keeping Babies and Children Safe
- Personal Development for Early Years Educators
- Planning a Curriculum for Children
and 6 more in the full unit list below.
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The title, level, credits, guided learning hours and unit learning outcomes on this page are taken from the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Where this data comes from.