Do I need a DBS check before starting an online childcare or TA course?
No DBS check is required to enrol on an online teaching assistant or early years educator qualification. The study, written assignments, and theoretical elements of the course can all be completed without a DBS check in place.
A DBS check becomes necessary when you begin supervised work directly with children, for example when gathering portfolio evidence in a school or nursery. The check must be in place before you start working with children in that setting, but does not need to precede enrolment on the qualification itself.
What types of DBS check are relevant to working in schools and nurseries?
- Standard DBS check — covers criminal records and is used for roles with some contact with children but not in a regulated activity
- Enhanced DBS check — the most common check for school and nursery workers; includes additional police intelligence that may be relevant to the role
- Enhanced DBS check with barred list — required for anyone working in a regulated activity with children; covers the DBS children's barred list
The vast majority of teaching assistant and early years educator roles require an Enhanced DBS check with barred list check. This is the check arranged by your employer or placement provider — individual practitioners do not arrange their own DBS checks independently for employment purposes. The check is registered to the employer and travels with that employment record.
How does the DBS update service work?
The DBS Update Service allows individuals to keep their DBS certificate current and portable. By subscribing to the update service (currently £13 per year), a certificate remains valid and can be checked by new employers instantly rather than requiring a new application. If you move between teaching roles or change settings, an up-to-date certificate on the update service is recognised by most schools and nurseries, though some may still require a fresh check for their own compliance records.
Subscribing to the update service within 30 days of receiving your DBS certificate is the only window to register. It is worth doing if you are likely to work in multiple settings or change employers within the regulated activity sector.
Safeguarding as a qualification unit
Safeguarding is not just a workplace induction requirement — it is a mandatory assessed unit in all level 3 teaching assistant and early years educator diplomas. The unit covers the legal framework for child protection (the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance), the definition of abuse and neglect, the roles of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), and the steps a practitioner should take if they are concerned about a child's welfare.
The EYFS statutory framework (updated in 2024) places safeguarding as the highest priority for early years providers. An online qualification that covers safeguarding properly is not simply providing box-ticking content — it is preparing practitioners for the legal responsibilities they will hold once qualified and working in a registered setting.
What does the safeguarding unit cover in a level 3 diploma?
- The key legislation: Children Act 1989 and 2004, Education Act 2002, Keeping Children Safe in Education (statutory guidance)
- Categories of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect — definitions and indicators
- The role of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and how to report concerns internally
- What to do if a child discloses abuse — how to respond, record, and refer
- Female genital mutilation (FGM) mandatory reporting duties for regulated activity workers
- The Prevent duty and how it applies to schools and early years settings
- Online safety and the risks of technology for children in and out of school settings
Safeguarding training beyond the qualification
The qualification unit provides the foundational safeguarding knowledge required for a practitioner role. Once in employment, most schools and nurseries require regular refresher training — typically every two years. Safeguarding is a continuing professional development (CPD) requirement, not a one-time assessment. Your qualification gives you the underpinning knowledge; your employer's safeguarding policy and your designated lead's training will build on it throughout your career.