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Level 5 Extended Diploma Ofqual-regulated · OTHM · 610/4867/7

Level 5 Extended Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education · Equivalent to Year 2 of a UK bachelor's degree (Foundation degree / HND) · online with Education Training

Duration: 6 Months or 9 Months Fees from: £950 Start: enrol any time

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Education Training offers the OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Early Childhood Education (qualification number 610/4867/7), online over 6 or 9 months. Fees from £950. Understanding Transitions in Early Childhood is one of 12 units (240 credits).

What is this qualification?

The Level 5 Extended Diploma in Early Childhood Education is a OTHM qualification regulated by Ofqual and delivered by approved centres such as Education Training.

OTHM publishes its full qualification overview for this qualification on its own page.

Who is this qualification for?

This Level 5 extended diploma suits practising teachers and trainers who want the full teaching qualification for the further education and skills sector in early childhood education.

Level 5 is equivalent to Year 2 of a UK bachelor's degree (Foundation degree / HND).

  • Study fully online with tutor support from Education Training, with no fixed timetable.
  • Assessment by assignments, so you can evidence learning from your own workplace.
  • Each level leads directly to the next: Level 3 Award, Level 4 Certificate, Level 5 Diploma.

Qualification structure and units

OTHM Level 5 Diploma qualifications represent practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competences that are assessed in academic terms as being equivalent to Higher National Diploma (HND) and Year 2 of a three-year UK Bachelor's degree programme.

UnitTypeCredits
Academic Writing and Research SkillsMandatory20
Nurturing Growth and Development in Early ChildhoodMandatory20
Fostering Collaborative and Inclusive Relationships in Early Childhood SettingMandatory20
Learning and Development Through PlayMandatory20
Unlocking Words: Exploring Early Language and CommunicationMandatory20
Early Personal, Social and Emotional DevelopmentMandatory20
Exploring Early Years Pedagogy and Best PracticesMandatory20
Understanding Child Behaviour: Theoretical Perspectives and InsightsMandatory20
Inclusion and Diversity: Supporting Children with Special Needs and Disabilities in Early EducationMandatory20
Safeguarding; Child Protection and Keeping Children SafeMandatory20
Emerging Literacies in the Early Years and Digital ResourcesMandatory20
Understanding Transitions in Early ChildhoodMandatory20
Total for the qualification240

Source: OTHM qualification specification (PDF) · Ofqual qualification number 610/4867/7.

How you study

The qualification is designed to be delivered over two academic years for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning.

The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

At Education Training the qualification is delivered online: you receive the materials, assignment briefs and tutor support through the learning platform and submit work when you are ready. There are no fixed lecture times, so you can start in any month.

Where the qualification requires teaching or assessment practice, you complete the hours in your own workplace or on an agreed placement and log them in your portfolio.

How you are assessed

Units are assessed through written assignments and, where the qualification requires it, observed teaching or assessment practice. Work is marked by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. There are no examinations.

OTHM publishes its full assessment and verification policy for this qualification on its own page.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are set by OTHM for this qualification. Contact admissions to check your eligibility before you apply.

OTHM publishes its full entry requirements for this qualification on its own page.

Fees and payment plans

DurationTotal feePayment optionYou pay
6 Months£1,2503 × £416 monthly£1,248
Pay in full (We offer 5% bursary on total fee for students opting to pay in full)£1,187.50
9 Months£9503 × £316 monthly£948
Pay in full (We offer 5% bursary on total fee for students opting to pay in full)£902.50

A £10 enrolment fee is paid with the application. Fees include tuition, learning materials, assignment marking and the awarding-body certificate. Prices correct as of 23 October 2026.

Refund policy · Complaints procedure

What is included

ItemIncluded
Tuition and learning materials for every unitIncluded
Tutor support and assignment feedbackIncluded
Assessment and markingIncluded
OTHM registration and certificateIncluded
Instalment planAvailable at no extra charge
Application fee£10 enrolment fee

Progression and career routes

Successful completion supports progression to the next level and to employment in early childhood education roles.

OTHM publishes its full progression routes for this qualification on its own page.

How this qualification compares

Figures below come from Education Training's own catalogue and enquiry records, not from estimates; each carries the date it was calculated.

Level 5 Early Childhood Education qualifications compared (as of 23 October 2026)
Level 5 Diploma in Early Childhood Education: 120 credits, TQT hours, 6 units; the qualification: 240 credits, TQT hours, 12 units
Early Childhood Education progression ladder (Levels 4–5) (as of 23 October 2026)
Level 4: Level 4 Diploma in Early Childhood Education → Level 5: Level 5 Diploma in Early Childhood Education / the qualification
Mandatory and optional units across Level 5 Early Childhood Education qualifications (as of 23 October 2026)
Level 5 Diploma in Early Childhood Education: 6 mandatory, 0 optional; the qualification: 12 mandatory, 0 optional
Regulated qualifications offered by Education Training, by level (as of 23 October 2026)
Level 2: 1 qualification; Level 3: 7 qualifications; Level 4: 14 qualifications; Level 5: 13 qualifications; Level 6: 3 qualifications; Level 7: 4 qualifications (42 in total)

Awarding body and regulation

This qualification is awarded by OTHM, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. Its qualification number is 610/4867/7 — view the entry on the Ofqual register. Education Training is an approved centre: we deliver and assess the qualification, OTHM verifies our assessment decisions and issues the certificate. Read about OTHM recognition.

How to apply

Pay the £10 enrolment fee when you submit your application (separate from the course fee).

  1. Apply online
    Use Apply now to open the application form with this programme pre-selected. Tell us about your current role and qualifications; pay the £10 enrolment fee to complete enrolment when prompted.
  2. Course activation
    Once you enrol, we email your course activation link within 24 hours.
  3. Course fee
    Admissions email a secure link to pay the course fee in full or on an instalment plan (usually within one working day). There is no fixed intake date.

Frequently asked questions

What is this qualification equivalent to?
This qualification sits at Level 5 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Equivalent to Year 2 of a UK bachelor's degree (Foundation degree / HND). The level describes the demand of the learning, not how long it takes; the credit value and total qualification time are shown in the facts panel above.
How many credits is this qualification?
The qualification carries 240 credits. Credits are awarded per unit on successful completion and are recorded on the OTHM certificate, so they can be recognised by universities and other awarding bodies for progression or exemption. The facts panel at the top of this page lists the level, credits, duration options, awarding body and qualification number.
How long does this qualification take?
You can complete it in 6 Months or 9 Months, depending on the study plan you choose at enrolment. Education Training delivers it online, so you study part-time and pace the assignments around work; the plan sets the registration period and the instalment schedule, and extensions are available if you need more time.
Is this qualification recognised?
Yes. OTHM is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, and this qualification is listed on the public register under qualification number 610/4867/7. Education Training is an OTHM approved centre, so the certificate you receive is issued by the awarding body and carries the same standing wherever you studied it.
Are there exams?
No. Assessment is by written assignments for each unit and, where the qualification requires it, observed practice. Work is marked by Education Training tutors against the OTHM assessment criteria and externally verified by the awarding body. You receive written feedback on each submission and can resubmit work that does not yet meet the criteria.
What are the entry requirements?
The facts panel at the top of this page lists the level, credits, duration options, awarding body and qualification number. Admissions at Education Training can confirm any detail by email before you apply, and there is no charge for asking.
What does it cost and how can I pay?
Fees start from £950 depending on the study plan; the fees table above shows the total for each duration and the pay-in-full and instalment options. Tuition, materials, marking and the OTHM certificate are included. A £10 enrolment fee is paid when you apply. Prices are shown as of the date in the fees section.
How do I apply with Education Training?
Apply online and pay the £10 enrolment fee to complete enrolment. Once you enrol, we email your course activation link within 24 hours. Admissions also email a secure link to pay the course fee in full or on an instalment plan, usually within one working day.
When can I start?
Any time. There is no fixed intake: enrolment is open all year and you begin as soon as your first payment is received. Because the course is delivered online with assignment-based assessment, you are not tied to a term calendar and can pace the units around your work and family commitments.
What can I progress to afterwards?
The progression section above links to the next qualification on this site. The facts panel at the top of this page lists the level, credits, duration options, awarding body and qualification number. Admissions at Education Training can confirm any detail by email before you apply, and there is no charge for asking.

Progression path

  1. Level 4 Diploma
  2. Level 5 Extended Diploma
  3. Level 6 Diploma
  4. QTLS

Related pages

Browse every Early Childhood Education qualification or all Level 5 qualifications.

Who awards and delivers this qualification

Awarding organisation

OTHM, regulated by Ofqual.

Qualification number 610/4867/7.

View on the register

Source

OTHM qualification specification (PDF). Facts on this page are taken from it and re-checked nightly.

Last reviewed 22 October 2026Published by the Education Training admissions team

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