Through the length of the apprenticeship, you will be required to work through a set of standards – knowledge, skills and behaviours. Evidence of this is obtained holistically through observation, professional discussions and completing assignments and mapped with an embedded Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification.

Early Years Practitioners will be responsible for supporting child-initiated and adult-led activities based around the needs and interests of each individual child, supporting children’s learning through planned, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes and working as part of a team to ensure each child feels safe and secure.

An Early Years Practitioner will also:

• Support the observation and assessment of each child and contribute to their learning experiences.
• Assist with the care needs of the individual child such as teeth, skin, hair, feeding, changing nappies and toileting under the direction of a more senior member of the team.
• Work in partnerships with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals, with support from a more senior member of the team, to meet the individual needs of each child.
• They will also have a responsibility for ensuring that they recognise when a child is in danger and/or at risk of serious harm or abuse and contributing to the health and safety of the children, staff and others on the premises.

The course delivery will typically be completed over a 14-month period, which will include fortnightly knowledge delivery through face-to-face sessions or remote

The learners will also be observed in the workplace on at least 2 occasions to identify the standards of competence are being met.

There will also be recorded professional discussions covering competence towards the standard.

The tutor will complete a progress review in the first 6 weeks and every 10-12 weeks thereafter, which will require the Employer’s presence. All work will be stored on an electronic portfolio ready to be submitted to the End Point Assessment Organisation.

At the end of the 14th month, the learner will have a final assessment with an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). Revision and mock activities will be completed with the learner prior to the final assessment.

As part of the Apprenticeship Standard, you will be required to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of your programme with an external Independent Assessor (EPAO).

Throughout the programme, your tutor will prepare you for the End Point Assessment and complete mock assessments prior to your final assessment.

The following elements will be completed during the End Point Assessment for the Early Years Practitioner Standard:

• Portfolio of Evidence
• Professional Discussion
• Knowledge test

At the end of the final assessment, the below grades will be awarded by the EPAO:

• Fail
• Pass
• Distinction

As part of the Early Years Practitioner Standard you will be achieving the following qualifications:

• Apprenticeship Standard Certificate for Early Years Practitioner
• Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Qualification
• Functional Skills Maths (Level 2)*
• Functional Skills English (Level 2)*

*Will be achieved if relevant qualification not already held prior to the Apprenticeship.

Typical applicants will display a good attitude, a positive approach to learning & development and a high level of ambition. Apprentices will need to sit an initial assessment in both English and Maths.

Where a learner does not hold an equivalent to or GSCE grade 4 (C) or above, you will need to sit Functional Skills Level 2 English and Maths prior to taking the End Point assessment.

Find out how your business can benefit from government funding here.