• Access Duration: 1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level: Level 3
• Qualification Number: 610/4001/0
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 24
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 44
• UCAS points: 8 points

• Understand “special educational needs” and “disability” for legal advice.
• Explain what an early years setting must do according to the SEND Code of Practice.
• Describe the role of the early years SENCO in private, voluntary and independent settings.
• Find local services to help kids and families.
• Learn the four basic needs of children with SEND.
• Explain each step in the graduated approach cycle.
• Explain the needs of young children with English as an Additional Language (EAL).
• Describe the principles of the Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Specialist in Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators in Early Years Settings (Award) is ideal if you already work or volunteer with babies and young children and want to take on the SENCO duties.

This course is ideal for:

• Early years practitioners seeking a SENCO role
• Nursery room leaders and managers
• Childminders caring for children with SEND
• Teaching assistants in early years foundation stage
• Career changers entering the early years and SEND sector
• Healthcare, social work, nursing, and counselling professionals
• Returning learners updating their SEND knowledge and practice

• You must be 16 years or older.
• Must have experience working with babies and little kids in an early years setting.
• Having a level 2 qualification will be a added advantage.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (3 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (1 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.
• Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time.We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months.This Level 3 Certificate requires approximately 24 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

Portfolio of Evidence: You are required to compile a portfolio of evidence that contains work from appropriate assessment tasks to demonstrate that they have met all the learning outcomes.

Skills-Based Tests: Competency-based tests involve observing, talking to a professional, writing about your experiences, and listening to an expert in a real or simulated workplace (RWE).

No formal examinations: There are no formal exams at the end of the course, but students get graded on their work and ability to do practical tasks.

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Specialist in Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators in Early Years Settings (Award) is a good introduction for professionals wanting to know more about special needs education, early years education, and related fields.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway

• Step 1: NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate in Early Years Advanced Practice
• Step 2: NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner
• Step 3: Foundation Degree in Early Years, Special Educational Needs, or Child Development
• Step 4: Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BSc) in Early Childhood Studies, Education, or SEND
• Step 5: Postgraduate qualifications in Special Educational Needs Coordination or Early Years Leadership

Alternative Pathways 

• Level 3 qualifications in Teaching and Learning or Playwork.
• Specialised CPD courses in areas such as SEND, safeguarding, or inclusive practice.
• Leadership and management qualifications for early years settings.

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Specialist in Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators in Early Years Settings (Award) provides you with the specialised knowledge and practical skills to give you the best chance of getting a job as an SENCO in an early years setting.

Here are some career opportunities you could pursue, along with approximate UK salaries. (Source: Glassdoor UK)

• Early Years SENCO – £32,000
• Nursery Room Leader – £28,000
• Early Years Educator – £27,000
• Early Years Practitioner – £26,000
• Nursery Nurse – £25,000
• Nursery Assistant – £23,000

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual, the UK government’s Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual regulation ensures that the qualification meets national standards for quality, consistency, and fairness. It means the course content, assessment methods, and learning outcomes are carefully monitored, giving learners confidence that the qualification is credible, well recognised, and supports progression to further study or employment in the UK.

RQF

In England and Northern Ireland, regulated qualifications are classified by level and size using the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). It helps learners, employers, and education providers understand and compare qualifications. Entry Level is divided into Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3. The framework consists of nine levels from Entry Level to Level 8. Size indicates the amount of learning required to achieve the qualification, and level indicates the complexity and demand of the learning. To be regulated, a qualification must meet the relevant regulatory requirements and be awarded by a recognised awarding organisation.