Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner
A senior leadership qualification that develops advanced leadership, management and early years practice expertise. Designed for professionals already working in a managerial role, this diploma deepens your understanding of safeguarding, team leadership, child development and quality assurance, preparing you for senior practitioner and lead practitioner roles.
18
Units
121
Credits
Portfolio
Assessment
In person
Observation
19+
Minimum age
What you'll study
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to manage others to support children's care routines.
Unit ref D/651/1400 · Level 5
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills required to lead practice in support of children's wellbeing and resilience. It includes the promotion of health, self-esteem, curiosity and independence.
Unit ref F/651/1401 · Level 5
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills for leading in the promotion of positive behaviour through role modelling and application of child development knowledge and understanding.
Unit ref H/651/1402 · Level 5
The unit aims to provide a basis for understanding the importance of providing a range of activities, experiences and educational opportunities for speech, language and communication for a child's holistic development.
Unit ref J/651/1403 · Level 5
The aim of this unit is to understand the role of the early years manager in effective early education from birth to five years: planning and assessment within an enabling environment.
Unit ref K/651/1404 · Level 5
This unit provides knowledge and understanding of how children and young people develop from birth to seven years. The unit also explores actions which should be taken when differences in development are identified, and the potential effects of transitions on young children's development.
Unit ref L/651/1405 · Level 5
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to develop children's emergent literacy by providing a language-rich environment.
Unit ref M/651/1406 · Level 3
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to facilitate children's emergent mathematical development.
Unit ref R/651/1407 · Level 3
This unit is designed to prepare learners to develop and implement policies and procedures for safeguarding children.
Unit ref T/651/1408 · Level 5
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills required for health and safety and risk management, including the development of policies, procedures and practices in the early years.
Unit ref Y/651/1409 · Level 5
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills required for a whole-systems approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. The unit explores models of practice and requires demonstration of skills and understanding of systems and processes.
Unit ref F/651/1410 · Level 5
The aim of this unit is to consider the role of the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) for effective inclusion of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in early years settings.
Unit ref H/651/1411 · Level 4
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills required to lead, implement and promote effective partnership working.
Unit ref J/651/1412 · Level 4
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills required to lead and manage a team within an early years setting.
Unit ref K/651/1413 · Level 6
The purpose of this unit is to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in developing, maintaining and using records and reports.
Unit ref L/651/1414 · Level 4
The purpose of this unit is to recognise the requirements and principles of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
Unit ref M/651/1415 · Level 6
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills required to promote the professional duty to maintain the currency of knowledge and skills and the need to continually reflect on and improve practice.
Unit ref R/651/1416 · Level 4
To prepare the learner to work with children in supporting their learning and development within the relevant early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, utilising current knowledge and understanding.
Unit ref T/651/1417 · Level 5
Total: 121 credits across 18 units
Unit details taken from the NCFE CACHE qualification specification v1.0 (September 2024). Check the latest version on the NCFE website
Assessment & Requirements
How you'll be assessed
Portfolio of evidence across 18 mandatory units, internally assessed with external quality assurance (two units externally set)
Teaching methods
Online personal tutoring & face-to-face observation
Entry requirements
Actively employed (or performing leadership responsibilities) in an early years setting
Placement hours
No set number of placement hours — you must be employed as a leader, deputy or manager in an early years setting so skills-based outcomes can be assessed in your real work environment.
Who this is for
Early years professionals already working in a managerial role, or looking to develop their leadership career
Career Outcomes
With this qualification you'll be eligible for roles including:
Senior Early Years Practitioner
£26,000–£31,000
per year
Lead Practitioner
£29,000–£36,000
per year
Deputy Nursery Manager
£30,000–£38,000
per year
What's included
Everything included, whichever pace you choose
Every course comes with full assessor support, materials, and a money-back guarantee — no matter your pace. Choose Fast Track and you also get quicker feedback turnaround, priority support, and flexible pacing.
Fees & Payments
However you'd rather pay
Pay in full, or spread the cost across 18 months — whichever suits you best. No interest, no credit check, and every session with your assessor is included.
September Sale — prices below end 28 September
£1,679 £1,799
Pay in full
£103.33/mo £110
for 18 months
£278.50
Registration fee
14 days
Money back guarantee
- No interest and no credit check, whichever way you pay.
- The registration fee is paid directly to NCFE, not to us — it's included in the total above.
- All support sessions with your assessor are included — no extra charge.
- Your course includes in-person observation. There's no travel fee if you're under 2 hours from London Paddington (one way); beyond that it's £100–£250 per visit, added to your first payment. See how fees work →
- Not sure? You have a full 14-day money-back guarantee from the date of enrolment, no questions asked. See our refund policy →
- Need longer than the standard duration? Extensions are available at an additional cost. Learn more in our Terms & Conditions →
Work out your price
1. Choose your pace
2. Choose how you'd like to pay
3. How far are you from London Paddington?
Your assessor visits you in person. Work out the one-way journey by public transport, travelling in the daytime (10am–4pm). Journeys under 2 hours carry no travel fee. Check your shortest journey on Google Maps →
4. Your price
Ready to get started?
Apply in 4 minutes — your qualification starts here.
14-day risk-free guarantee. Full refund if it's not right for you.