To become an Early Years Educator (EYE) in England, you need a Level 3 qualification that meets the Early Years Educator criteria, such as the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care. You also need GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above and a clear enhanced DBS check. The qualification can be studied online, making it accessible for career changers and parents.
According to the Department for Education, the Early Years Educator criteria were introduced in 2014 to ensure that practitioners working with children from birth to 5 have the knowledge and skills to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) effectively. Only qualifications that meet these specific criteria count towards staffing ratios in early years settings.
Quick answer: You need a CACHE Level 3 Diploma (or equivalent EYE-approved qualification), GCSEs in English and Maths, and a DBS check. The Level 3 Diploma takes 12–18 months to complete online. Early years educator salaries range from £19,000 to £25,000, with senior practitioners and nursery managers earning more.
What does an Early Years Educator do?
Early Years Educators work directly with children from birth to age 5, planning and delivering learning experiences that support every aspect of a child's development. The role is both nurturing and educational — EYEs create safe, stimulating environments where children learn through play, exploration, and positive relationships.
Daily responsibilities include planning activities aligned to the EYFS framework's 7 areas of learning, observing and assessing children's development, maintaining individual learning journals, working with parents and carers, and ensuring safeguarding standards are met. EYEs work in nurseries, pre-schools, children's centres, childminding settings, and school reception classes.
According to the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), nurseries in England employed approximately 230,000 staff in 2024, with qualified Early Years Educators making up the largest professional group. The sector faces ongoing recruitment challenges, meaning qualified practitioners are in consistent demand.
Required qualifications
The qualification requirements for Early Years Educators are set by the Department for Education's Early Years Educator criteria. To work as an EYE and count in staff-to-child ratios, you need:
| Requirement | Details | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 qualification | Must meet EYE criteria (e.g. CACHE Level 3 Diploma) | NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3, T Level Early Years |
| GCSE English | Grade C/4 or above | Functional Skills Level 2 English |
| GCSE Maths | Grade C/4 or above | Functional Skills Level 2 Maths |
| DBS check | Enhanced with barred list checks | No alternative — mandatory |
| First aid | Paediatric first aid certificate | Must be renewed every 3 years |
The GCSE requirement in English and Maths is a particular sticking point for many aspiring EYEs. If you don't have GCSEs at the required grade, you can study Functional Skills Level 2 as an accepted equivalent before or alongside your Level 3 qualification.
CACHE Level 3 explained
CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) — now part of NCFE — is the most widely recognised awarding body for early years qualifications in the UK. The CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care is the gold standard qualification for Early Years Educators.
The diploma covers all aspects of working with children aged 0–5, including child development theory, the EYFS framework, safeguarding and child protection, working with families, inclusive practice, and professional development. Assessment is through a combination of written assignments, reflective journals, and evidence of professional practice.
At Qualvera, the CACHE Level 3 Diploma is delivered online with intelligent study support available 24/7 and named qualified tutors providing detailed feedback within one business day. The course is available on a flexible monthly subscription.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for the CACHE Level 3 Diploma are deliberately accessible to encourage people from diverse backgrounds into the early years workforce. You typically need:
- GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C/4 (or Functional Skills Level 2 — you can study these alongside the Level 3)
- A genuine interest in working with young children
- Access to an early years setting for work placement hours (a minimum number of placement hours is required)
- No age limit — the qualification is open to learners of all ages
According to NDNA research, approximately 35% of people entering the early years workforce are career changers aged 25 and over. The sector actively welcomes mature entrants who bring life experience and transferable skills.
Salary and career progression
Early years educator salaries have improved in recent years due to workforce shortages and increased minimum wage levels. According to NDNA's 2024 Workforce Survey and industry data:
- Nursery assistant (unqualified): £18,000–£20,000
- Early Years Educator (Level 3): £20,000–£24,000
- Room leader / senior practitioner: £23,000–£27,000
- Deputy nursery manager: £25,000–£30,000
- Nursery manager: £28,000–£38,000
Career progression beyond EYE includes moving into room leadership, nursery management, childminding (self-employment), SENCO roles, or further study towards Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or a degree in Early Childhood Studies.
Online study options
Online study has become increasingly popular for early years qualifications, particularly for people who are already working or managing family commitments. The CACHE Level 3 Diploma can be studied predominantly online, though some practical placement hours in an early years setting are required.
At Qualvera, online study means you can learn at times that suit you — early mornings, evenings, or weekends. All course materials are digital, assignments are submitted online, and you have access to both instant study support and named human tutors. The flexible monthly subscription model means no large upfront costs.
According to the Department for Education, online early years qualifications are fully recognised for employment and ratio purposes provided they are awarded by an Ofqual-regulated body and meet the Early Years Educator criteria.
Frequently asked questions
An Early Years Educator (EYE) holds a Level 3 qualification and works directly with children. Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) — now replaced by Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) — was a graduate-level status equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status. EYTS requires a degree-level qualification, while EYE requires Level 3.
Yes. The CACHE Level 3 Diploma can be studied predominantly online, with written assignments and reflective journals submitted digitally. However, you will need access to an early years setting for practical placement hours. Qualvera offers the full course online with tutor support and flexible monthly payments.
The CACHE Level 3 Diploma typically takes 12–18 months to complete when studied online alongside other commitments. If you need to complete Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths first, add 3–6 months. The total time from starting to being fully qualified is usually 12–24 months.
You need GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or equivalent Functional Skills Level 2 to achieve Early Years Educator status. Some providers allow you to study the Level 3 Diploma alongside your Functional Skills qualifications, so you don't have to complete them first.
Early Years Educators with a Level 3 qualification earn between £20,000 and £24,000 per year. Room leaders and senior practitioners earn £23,000–£27,000, while nursery managers can earn £28,000–£38,000 depending on the setting size and location. London salaries are typically higher.
Start your early years educator career
Qualvera's CACHE Level 3 Diploma meets the Early Years Educator criteria — study online, at your own pace, on a flexible monthly subscription.
Sources: DfE Early Years Educator Criteria, NDNA Workforce Survey 2024, NCFE/CACHE. Information accurate as of March 2026.