The TQUK Level 3 Early Years Educator diploma, the qualification the DfE lists for early years settings, assessed in the nursery, pre-school or childminding setting where you work or volunteer. Start free for 7 days, pay monthly from day 8, no credit check, cancel any time.
Every qualification on this page is awarded by TQUK and sits on the Ofqual register. Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.
The Level 3 is the qualification early years settings ask for. It is assessed where you work or volunteer, so most people take it while in post.
The full and relevant Level 3 for nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.
View courseAsk an adviser if you need a different level today.
The TQUK diploma on the DfE full and relevant list for Level 3, assessed in your setting. No exams.
Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate. Lift College teaches the course and TQUK awards it, quality assured before your certificate is issued.
Every qualification on this page carries a qualification number on the Ofqual register.
Portfolio, observation and professional discussion in your setting.
Every review on our Trustpilot page is from a Lift College learner.
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.
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.
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.
Every course is awarded by an Ofqual regulated UK awarding organisation. Vocational diplomas are assessed where you work, with no exam to sit.
“Working nights makes studying difficult, but Lift College's online platform meant I could do the knowledge units at any time. My assessor was flexible about observations around my rota. I finished my Level 3 RQF Diploma…”MarcusLevel 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
“After ten years in retail management I moved to a project coordinator role in a tech company and felt completely out of my depth with the management frameworks my colleagues used. The CMI Level 5 certificate gave me a…”LaraCMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership
“I wanted to do a psychology degree but had not been in education since my early 20s. Studying online meant I could fit my coursework around the school run and evenings once the kids were in bed. My adviser at Lift…”SandraA level Psychology online
Independent reviews on Trustpilot, every one from a Lift College learner.
Every course here follows the EYFS statutory framework. Read our guide to the EYFS framework if you are new to early years.
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.
A minimum of 300 hours across the age ranges, in an Ofsted-registered setting.
No. Portfolio, observation and professional discussion.
Room leader and deputy manager roles, or the Level 5 route in Teaching and education.
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.
No. Level 3 needs only 16+; a Level 2 helps but most adults go straight to Level 3, the level nurseries recruit for.
Level 5 (Early Years Lead/Senior Practitioner) is the route into deputy and nursery-manager roles, typically £30,000–£45,000. Level 3 is the prerequisite.
Yes: study online anywhere in the UK and complete placement in a registered setting near you.
No commitment, no credit check, cancel any time, and a 14 day refund on any payment you make. Basic plans from £39.99 a month.
