Welcome to CNA Training Institute, your trusted partner in advancing your career in the early years education sector. We are proud to offer the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years Settings, an internationally recognized qualification designed to provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in this early years education and childcare sector.

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award for SENCO in Early Years Settings is a specialist qualification for early years staff stepping into the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) role—the person a setting relies on to identify children who may need additional support, put a support plan in place, and coordinate with families and outside specialists.

The course is built for practitioners who already understand early years practice and now need the specific coordination and planning skills the SENCO role demands.

You will work towards a recognised qualification, with an NCFE CACHE-aligned certificate of completion issued by CNA Training Institute on successful completion of the programme. You will gain a practical understanding of day-to-day practice in Education & Early Childhood, along with hands-on skills and practical techniques you can put to use immediately. The course provides greater confidence to take on more responsibility at work, with ongoing support through tutor guidance and structured materials throughout the course.

The programme also offers a progression pathway, providing a recognised step towards further study in the same field. With practical knowledge you can apply directly in real Education & Early Childhood settings and flexible learning delivered in the classroom or online over 2–3 months, the course can fit around existing commitments while providing a firm base for further study and continued career development within Education & Early Childhood.

This NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award for SENCO in Early Years Settings course is designed for early years practitioners preparing to take on a SENCO role responsible for supporting children with special educational needs and experienced early years staff looking to develop specialist skills in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). You will learn skills and gain an understanding that you can apply directly in real Education & Early Childhood settings.

By completing this course, you will learn about identifying additional needs, recognising early signs that a child may need additional support, without over- or under-identifying. You will develop skills in support planning, including writing and reviewing individual support plans in collaboration with staff and families. You will learn about working with specialists by coordinating with external professionals, including speech therapists, educational psychologists, and health visitors. The course will also cover the legal and statutory framework, helping you understand the SENCO’s responsibilities under relevant special educational needs legislation. You will develop skills in supporting staff by guiding a setting’s wider team in inclusive, additional-needs-aware practice. The course also provides progression opportunities, offering a firm base for further study and continued career development within Education & Early Childhood.

The learner will be assessed through coursework, assignments, and practical demonstration to ensure they gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.