Early Years Educator (Level 3)

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This course is for anyone wishing to become an early years educator working in a range of private and public settings including; full day care, children’s centres, pre-schools, reception classes, playgroups, nursery schools, home based provision, hospitals, social care settings, out of school environments and local authority provision to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 in both indoor and outdoor environments.

You would work and interact directly with children on a day-to-day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes within the ethos of the setting. An EYP works as part of a professional team ensuring the welfare and care for children under the guidance and supervision of an Early Years Educator, teacher or other suitably qualified professional the Early Years Workforce.

Are there any entry requirements?

Must be a UK citizen, or have the right of abode in the UK, or is a citizen of a country that is within the EEA and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the EU or the EEA continuously for the previous three years before the start of learning.

Candidates will have achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent in English and Maths. We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 1 and Level 2 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment.

Apprentices must be employed, for a minimum of 30 hours, in a role that suits the skills requirements of this apprenticeship.

New applicants will be contacted by a vocational delivery tutor to determine suitability/eligibility prior, give information and advice on the next steps.

Shortlisted applicants will be sent to the employer, to then follow their recruitment procedure. Unsuitable applicants will be sign-posted to other areas of our service to develop transferable/employability skills, with a view to ensuring they are suitable for other apprenticeship positions in the future.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The structure and delivery of the course curriculum will enable you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to reflect the needs of local and regional employers, gain qualifications and be successful in this area.

The curriculum is planned and sequenced to enable learners with previous knowledge and experience to develop the new skills needed to progress to the next stage of their career, training, education or employment. The curriculum is flexible and responsive to learner demands and can be tailored to suit individual needs, arising from any current and dynamic issues affecting their role, which can be addressed during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice you will need to be able to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills at the end of your apprenticeship training programme and understand how this reflects the needs of the local, regional and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

The early years educator apprenticeship will develop the knowledge and understanding of:

Expected patterns of children’s development
Significance of attachment and how to promote it effectively.
A range of underpinning theories and philosophical approaches to how children learn and develop
How children’s learning and development can be affected
The importance of promoting diversity, equality and inclusion
The importance to children’s holistic development
Systematic synthetic phonics in the teaching of reading
A range of strategies for developing early literacy and mathematics.
The potential effects of transitions and significant events in their lives.
The current early education curriculum requirements such as the Early Years Foundation Stage.
When a child is in need of additional support such as where a child’s progress is less than expected.
The importance of undertaking continued professional development to improve own skills and early years practice.
The legal requirements and guidance on health and safety, security, confidentiality of information, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Why health and well-being is important for babies and children
How to respond to accidents, injuries and emergency situations.
Safeguarding policies and procedures
How to prevent and control infection

Develop skills, including:

Analyse and explain how children’s learning and development can be affected by their stage of development.
Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
Plan and lead activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes.
Ensure plans fully reflect the stage of development, individual needs and circumstances of children.
Provide learning experiences, environments and opportunities appropriate to the age, stage and needs.
Encourage children’s participation, ensuring a balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities.
Engage in effective strategies to develop and extend children’s learning and thinking.
Support and promote children’s speech, language and communication development.
Support children’s group learning and socialisation.
Model and promote positive behaviours expected of children.
Support children to manage their own behaviour in relation to others.
Plan and provide activities to meet additional needs.
Carry out and record observational assessment accurately.
Identify the needs, interests and stages of development of individual children.
Make use of formative/summative assessment and tracking children’s progress to plan next steps.
Discuss children’s progress and plan next stages in their learning.
Communicate effectively in English in writing and verbally.
Engage in continuing professional development and reflective practice to improve own skills, practice, and subject knowledge.
Plan and carry out physical care routines suitable to the age, stage and needs of the child.
Promote healthy lifestyles.
Undertake tasks to ensure the prevention and control of infection.
Carry out risk assessment and risk management in line with policies and procedures.
Maintain accurate and coherent records and reports and share information, only when appropriate, to ensure the needs of all children are met, such as emotional, physical, psychological and cultural.
Identify and act upon own responsibilities in relation to health and safety, security, confidentiality of information, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Work co-operatively with colleagues and other professionals to meet the needs of babies and children and enable them to progress.
Work in partnership with parents and/or carers to help them recognise and value the significant contributions they make to the child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the child’s play, learning and development

Develop and demonstrate behaviours, including:

Care and compassion
Honesty, trust and integrity
Positive work ethic
Being team-focused
Commitment
Work in a non- discriminatory way
Professional Practice

End Point Assessment Methods

To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must have:

Proof of English & maths GCSE minimum grade 4+ (C+) or equivalent level 2 qualification
Proof of completing an Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification (part of the on-programme element)
Proof of completing a paediatric first aid qualification (part of the on-programme element)
Completed a showcase portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours

The End Point Assessment consists of:

Knowledge Test: A 60 minute online knowledge test, consisting of 35 questions
Professional Discussion: A 90-minute structured discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, with the Independent Assessor. This is to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and cover the knowledge, skills and behaviours

This standard will be graded as Distinction, Pass or Fail.

What could I do when I have finished this Apprenticeship?

This apprenticeship provides an ideal entry into the occupation and supports progression within the sector as an early year’s practitioner.

You may gain employment with your employer and / or decide to complete Team Leader/ Supervisor Apprenticeship (Level 3), Degree or other FE/HE courses in early years or children & young people.

You will also be given information and guidance to continue onto other courses.

Where and when will I learn?

During the course you will be expected to attend work a minimum of 30 hours per week where you will learn the skills and knowledge required to continue through your qualification. You will be supported in the workplace through regular visits with your tutor and you will also be expected to come into the training centre (Coleridge Centre, DL1 5AJ) for support sessions. These sessions will allow you to complete coursework, receive instant feedback and ensure you are ready for the End Point Assessment.

This on-programme taught element will typically take 18 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area and may be reduced.

How much will the Apprenticeship cost?

There are no fees for this apprenticeship.

What do I do next?

You can:

View our latest vacancies

Or you can:

Apply for this apprenticeship area to be entered into a 'pool of candidates'. When a relevant vacancy becomes available we will contact you.
If you are already employed in this area and wish to join the apprenticeship training, or have identified an employer wishing to start you as an apprentice in this area, please contact us