Diploma in Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare, Accredited L3 online course

Are you working in a home-based setting and want your professionalism recognised? Are you looking for a career as a Registered Childminder, Childminding Assistant, a Nanny or planning to set up your own provision from home? Then this is the perfect, Ofsted-recognised, certificated, accredited course for you.

• A very manageable 50-hour learning online course, which you can access 24/7 at a time and in a setting that suits you best.
• The key is that it recognises you cannot attend classes during the day when you are working; therefore, the classroom comes to you via your laptop or PC!
• You will be allocated your own assessor who will support you throughout the qualification.
• As soon as you are ready to start your training, your assessor will contact you with your first assessment plan.
• Your personal assessor will support your learning experience, using a combination of email, phone or by zoom call.
• Your Riverside Training Company assessor will work together with you to find the best way to develop your portfolio of evidence

Duration of this course

Complete the course within 12 weeks. The length of time it takes you to complete this course is dependent on how much time you dedicate to learning, bearing in mind that you do want to absorb the topic fully. If you need more time, you can purchase extensions at £18 per month. However, the maximum time allowed to complete the course, including any extensions, is 12 months from the original course start date. The start date is defined as the date of your first Zoom meeting with your assessor.

The course was perfect as it was so logical and well thought out. Superb support from the assessor

My interactions with my assessor have been positive and genuinely helpful. The feedback I received was clear, relevant, and focused on strengthening my practice as a childminder. I found that the assessor took time to explain expectations, highlight areas I was doing well, and point out where improvements could be made in a supportive way. This helped me understand not just what to improve, but why it mattered for high‑quality early years practice.

FA Sept 2026

FAQ’s

What will I need to do in order to pass?

• Pass two Units, one compulsory unit and one optional unit that you choose. (One route is best for nannies, the other route for Childminders).
• Unit 1 provides learners with the knowledge required to work with children in a home-based.
• Unit 2: Either exploring the role of a nanny or preparing to set up a home-based childcare business (such as Childminding)

What can I work as with this qualification?

• Registered Childminder
• Childminding assistant
• Nanny

Do I need a placement?

• No

I am already working in a family home. What benefit will I gain from this qualification?

• This course is tailored to your working environment and enables you to gain a Level 3 qualification that reflects your skills and knowledge.
• It is a recognised course for Registered Childminders who are setting up a home-based childcare business
• If you are working for a family who are using childcarer vouchers and need to use the services of a Registered Childminder

What does the course cost include?

• All eLearning materials, your own dedicated Assessor with whom you will have professional discussions and who will support you through your training with Riverside Training Company.
• You have the choice whether to undertake the course as part of your continuous professional education, or you may wish to register with the Awarding Body (which we highly recommend). NCFE registration fee is £85.00 (link here) 
• The complete qualification requires registration with the Awarding Body

What do I do next?

If you want to train with Riverside Training Company or learn more about this course, our highly experienced team is here to help you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can also directly purchase this course online. Don’t forget to add NCFE registration as a separate item in your basket.  We can guide you through registration and get you started! The beauty of this E-learning course is that it allows you to study at times and at a pace that works best for you.

I also need to show I have an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage – do you have a course to cover that?

Yes we do. Childminding Training: Understanding the Early Years Foundation Stage