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Qualify to work with children under five.

To work in a nursery or preschool and count in EYFS ratios at Level 3 you need a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. Ours is the TQUK Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Care and Education (Early Years Educator), £99.99 a month after a 7-day free trial, 12 to 18 months online, with 300 placement hours in the Ofsted registered setting where you work or volunteer and no exams.

See all 2 coursesChoose a course
Go straight to a courseLevel 1 Award in Principles of Working in Early Years SettingsLevel 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) (RQF)
Childcare
2courses, from £19.99 a month
  • 7 days free, nothing charged until day 8
  • A named UK tutor from day one
  • Cancel in two clicks, 14-day refund
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In short

The qualification, and who it suits

The TQUK diploma on the DfE full and relevant list for Level 3, assessed in your setting. No exams.

2 courses · every one starts with 7 days free

Two early years routes: a short Level 1 start, or the full Level 3

The Level 1 Award is a short introduction to working in early years settings. The Level 3 is the qualification early years settings ask for to count you in ratios; it is assessed where you work or volunteer, so most people take it while in post.

Level 14 to 8 weeksTQUK

Level 1 Award in Principles of Working in Early Years Settings

From£19.99a month
View course
Level 312 to 18 monthsTQUK

Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) (RQF)

From£89.99a month
View course

Guide

It is the Level 3 childcare course online that, with a suitable Level 2 English qualification, counts you at Level 3 in EYFS ratios. No credit check, no contract, cancel any time. Not sure which level you need? Compare early years qualification levels 2 to 5 or check an existing qualification with the early years qualification checker.

How it works

Start today, pay from day 8, finish at your own pace

1

Start your free 7 day trial

Full access to the course, your tutor and every resource from the first minute. No credit check, no contract, and no card charged until day 8.

2

Pay monthly or annually

Choose monthly to spread the cost, or annually to save 15%. You only pay for the time you study, and you can pause or cancel in two clicks.

3

Study with a named UK tutor

A real, qualified tutor for every course. Submit work, get it marked, message when you are stuck. Resubmit at no extra cost until every criterion is met.

4

Finish with a regulated qualification

Every course is awarded by an Ofqual regulated UK awarding organisation. Vocational diplomas are assessed where you work, with no exam to sit.

Awarding bodies and exam centres

Every qualification here comes from TQUK

Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate. Lift College teaches the course and TQUK awards it, quality assured before your certificate is issued.

Regulated by Ofqual

Every qualification on this page carries a qualification number on the Ofqual register.

No exams

Portfolio, observation of practice and witness statements in your setting.

Compare

The qualification, and who it suits

The TQUK diploma on the DfE full and relevant list for Level 3, assessed in your setting. No exams.

What you need alongside it: a Level 2 English qualification (GCSE grade 4 or C, or Functional Skills English Level 2) to be counted at Level 3, a paediatric first aid certificate, which the EYFS requires within three months of starting for staff with a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification gained on or after 30 June 2016 to count in ratios, and most settings expect of all staff, and an enhanced DBS check arranged by your setting. Level 2 maths is required only for setting managers appointed on or after 4 January 2024. See how our diploma compares with four other providers in best online childcare courses in the UK.

Right for you if

  • You work or volunteer in a nursery, pre-school or as a childminder and want the full and relevant Level 3
  • You want to count in ratios as a Level 3 early years educator
  • You can complete at least 300 hours in an Ofsted-registered setting
  • You are 16 or over

Think again if

  • You work in a school with children over five; that is Teaching and education
  • You are not in an early years setting yet; ask an adviser before you enrol, the hours take most of the course

Where it leads

Where childcare can take you

RoleAverage salary, starter to experiencedTypical hours a weekWhere it starts at Lift College
Nursery worker£16,000 to £24,00030 to 40Level 3 Early Years Educator
Nursery manager£23,000 to £35,00035 to 40Level 3 Early Years Educator
Early years teacher£27,000 to £42,00032 to 40, term timeLevel 3 Early Years Educator
ChildminderVariable (NCS gives no figure)VariableLevel 3 Early Years Educator
Teaching assistant£19,000 to £26,00016 to 37, term timeLevel 3 Teaching Assistant

Nursery manager and early years teacher roles need experience and further study after Level 3; early years teacher needs a degree. Salaries are the National Careers Service averages, checked on 29 October 2026.

How to become an early years educator

Sources

Cost, funding and entry

Before you enrol

Every course here follows the EYFS statutory framework. Read our guide to the EYFS framework if you are new to early years.

Learner reviews

What our learners say

Six of our latest reviews, as posted on Trustpilot.

See all our reviews onTrustpilot
5 out of 5 · Verified

A Level Psychology On Line Course Lift College

I have enrolled on this on line course and the support/response to queries that I have received to date have been timely and effective. The college also provides a learning plan to comlete the course and mock exams, together with helpful reminders of allocated study days (you self select them and they send you a reminder to keep you on track). The modules are clear and easy to understand and a broken down into sections including question and answer sections and model answers and where applicable worked out calculations. There is a need to take notes from the online materials as there are no PDF work books to download. The assigments are completed in a text box and marked accordingly and saved into your records. Once you get used to using the learning portal (which is not too difficult) it is a fairly straightforward learning process. It is worth paying the money for this course and the level of support provided by the college.

Read more on Trustpilot
Simon G.A Level Psychology · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

Prompt Assignment Feedback

I have been studying with Lift College for the past month, and so far, my experience has been positive. The team provides excellent support, and assignments are marked with helpful feedback, usually within three working days. This quick turnaround is particularly valuable as it helps me manage my studies alongside my workplace commitments.

Read more on Trustpilot
ChinthakaLift College learner · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

Clearly structured and designed for learning

I recently started the CMI Level 5 course through Lift College. I was attracted to this provider due to the clean and modern design of their website. I asked the support staff a few questions before enrolling, and their responses were fast and informative. When I started the course, I was impressed by how well organised the material was and how the lessons were structured. I have taken many online courses before, including postgraduate courses from UK universities. What I expected was a few videos made using a webcam, plus several dozen PDF files that had to be read. However, the materials provided by Lift College are of excellent quality, well designed, and purpose-made. As a teacher myself with 20 years' experience, I recognised clear and deliberate efforts to help students learn more effectively. Lift College isn't just giving you a load of reading material and letting you get on with it. They have designed prompts, revision boxes, spot quizzes, and other features to ensure that learning is actively facilitated.

Read more on Trustpilot
Derek H.CMI Level 5 · 6 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

Excellent customer service

Excellent customer service and the enrolment process was very smooth. Started my course three weeks ago and I’m loving it.

George B.Lift College learner · 6 Nov 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

Lift College is very flexible

Lift College is very flexible, allowing me to study GCSE Biology while working full time. The course is straightforward and include helpful tips for passing the exams.

LalaineGCSE Biology · 2 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

I have just enrolled with Lift College

I have just enrolled with Lift College today on a free trial. So far so good, I have accessed my course (GCSE Maths) on my platform and everything looks great. Also met my tutor who is very friendly and helpful too. Will update the reviews when I am further down the line.

Read more on Trustpilot
Paul S.GCSE Maths · 2 Sep 2026
See all our reviews onTrustpilot

FAQ

Childcare questions, answered

Straight answers to the 11 questions learners ask us most.

Still deciding?Compare all 2 Childcare coursesChoose a course
Is this the qualification nurseries ask for?
It is the TQUK Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Care and Education (Early Years Educator), on the DfE full and relevant list for Level 3 in England.
How many placement hours?
A minimum of 300 hours across the age ranges, in an Ofsted-registered setting.
Is there an exam?
No. Portfolio, observation of practice and witness statements.
What comes next?
Room leader and deputy manager roles, or the Level 5 route in Teaching and education.
What is a Level 3 childcare qualification?
The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator (RQF): the full and relevant qualification that lets you count as the Level 3 adult in EYFS ratios and lead a room. Ours is Ofqual-regulated, awarded by TQUK.
Do you need a Level 2 childcare qualification first?
No. Level 3 needs only 16+; a Level 2 helps but most adults go straight to Level 3, the level nurseries recruit for.
What can you do with a Level 5 childcare qualification?
Level 5 (Early Years Lead/Senior Practitioner) is the route into deputy and nursery-manager roles, typically £30,000 to £45,000. Level 3 is the prerequisite.
Can I do a childcare course online in London?
Yes: study online and complete your placement in an Ofsted-registered setting near you.
What qualifications do I need to work in a nursery?
To be counted in EYFS staff ratios at Level 3 you need a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification and a Level 2 English qualification. A full and relevant Level 2 Early Years Practitioner diploma counts at Level 2. While you study, DfE rules let a student or apprentice count in ratios at the level below the one they are studying, so at Level 2 while you work towards Level 3.
How much does the Level 3 childcare qualification cost?
£99.99 a month after a 7-day free trial, or £1,019.99 for the year, with tutor, TQUK registration and certificate included. No contract, no credit check, and a 14-day money back guarantee on every payment.
How long does the Level 3 Early Years Educator take?
Typically 12 to 18 months, studied online alongside your placement hours. There is no fixed deadline: you pay monthly for life and can pause or cancel from your account.

Explore Childcare further

Everything about Childcare, page by page

Every question about Childcare has its own page: entry, costs, careers, awarding bodies, learner stories and more.

About

What the qualification is, who sets it and how it is recognised

Choose your pathway

Which course or level to start with, by goal

Entry requirements

Age, prior learning and what you need before you enrol

Funding and costs

Monthly and pay-in-full prices, funding routes and refunds

Awarding bodies

Who awards the qualification and how to check it

Comparison

How this qualification compares with the alternatives

Career pathways

Roles, progression and UK salary ranges

FAQ

Every question learners ask before they enrol

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