Cambridge International Certificate in Early Years Good Practice
The Cambridge International Certificate in Early Years Good Practice (5889) is a professional development qualification designed to help early childhood practitioners and educators apply key principles of early years learning and teaching directly to their classroom practice. Candidates explore foundational child development theory, purposeful play-based learning, and reflective teaching methods.
At WSA, our Early Years Good Practice Programme provides a structured and supportive 4-month pathway (~150 hours) to earning this internationally benchmarked qualification from Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE).
Upon successful completion, educators gain an internationally recognised credential that validates pedagogical excellence in early childhood education and supports professional career advancement.
Certified Cambridge PDQ Centre - Centre ID: 485. WSA is an authorised provider delivering training aligned with Cambridge standards.
4 months, ~150 hours of guided, work-based, and collaborative learning, structured around early childhood pedagogy.
Course Details
Explore the requirements, duration, syllabus, recognition, and assessment for your Early Years journey.
Ideal Participants: Is This You?
This course is designed for dedicated early childhood educators and practitioners who meet the following criteria:
- Employed in an educational institution such as an early years setting, preschool, kindergarten, or primary school.
- Actively teaching in their current institution over a full academic year, for a minimum of 24 weeks and at least 6 hours per week.
- Responsible for teaching and assessing a group of a minimum of six young learners.
- Supported by a mentor, a trusted colleague who understands early years principles and can offer regular guidance, observation, and constructive feedback.
- Possess English language proficiency comparable to CEFR Level B2 or a minimum score of 5.5 on IELTS.
Course Duration & Commitment
The Certificate in Early Years Good Practice is recommended for completion across 4 months, requiring a total of approximately 150 hours of learning.
This includes:
- 50 hours of guided learning (interactive cohort sessions and expert mentoring)
- 50 hours of work-based learning (applying play-based activities and observation in the classroom)
- 50 hours of individual and collaborative learning (professional reading, peer exchange, and portfolio reflection)
What You'll Learn: Syllabus Aims
The Certificate comprises three practical units forming Module 1: Exploring child development, learning and teaching in the Early Years. Candidates develop an understanding of child growth theories, design purposeful play-based learning environments, integrate formative observation, and evaluate their own teaching practice. See the full syllabus overview below.
Cambridge Recognition & Global Value
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (PDQs) provide an internationally recognised mark of excellence for teachers and educational leaders.
- Benchmarked to Level 4 of the Framework of Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) in the UK by UK ECCTIS.
- Enhances educators' professional profile, demonstrating mastery in early childhood principles, child-centred learning, and reflective practice worldwide.
What to Expect: E-Portfolio & External Assessment
Assessment is conducted through an e-portfolio of evidence examined externally by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) via the PDQ Connect platform. Total evidence length is 3,600 words supported by authentic work-based records:
Unit 1 - Understanding Child Development: Eligibility Context + Observation Visit Form and a copy of the observed practitioner's activity plan.
Unit 2 - Teaching in an Effective Early Years Environment: Learning Activity Plan Form and Observer Feedback Form.
Unit 3 - Facilitating Active Learning in the Early Years: Learning Activity Plan Form, Observer Feedback Form, and Teaching Activity Log Form.
All portfolios are submitted directly to the Cambridge PDQ Connect portal by the scheduled intake deadline.
Syllabus Overview
Three focused units building the pedagogical skills, play-based strategies, and reflective habits needed for early years excellence.
Unit 1
- Explain your understanding of early childhood development and how young children learn and grow
- Explain your understanding of play-based learning and what makes a learning environment safe and effective
- Explain the essential role of formative assessment and adult interaction in the early years context
- Analyse key features of an effective early years learning activity and evaluate their pedagogical impact
Unit 2
- Select open-ended resources that stimulate young children's curiosity, exploration, and communication
- Provide an appropriate balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities for high engagement
- Use continuous observation strategies to enable formative assessment and respond to children's learning
- Evaluate early years learning activities using mentor feedback and reflective practice
Unit 3
- Develop a coherent sequence of learning activities showing holistic, progressive child development
- Teach active, play-based learning activities that challenge and extend learning with differentiation
- Make use of systematic observation strategies (AfL) to monitor and support children's progress
- Evaluate a sequence of activities to identify strengths and priorities for future professional practice
“Early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and holistic wellbeing. Developing reflective early years practitioners who understand how young children explore, think, and communicate is essential for quality education. William Soeryadjaya Academy for Teaching Excellence is an accredited Cambridge PDQ Centre offering internationally benchmarked qualifications to empower educators across Indonesia.”
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)
Upcoming Early Years Intakes
Dates below are published live from our training calendar. Select a session to see the full detail and register.