Early Years Practitioner (Level 2)
Who is this Apprenticeship for?
This apprenticeship is for any eligible candidates, who wish to earn a wage while developing their skills and knowledge needed to be able to pursue a career within the Early Years setting. You would be 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 1 (G) or equivalent in Level 1 English and Mathematics We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 1 and Level 2 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment or wishing to upskill.
Apprentices must be employed, normally for a minimum of 30 hours, in a role that suits the skills requirements of this apprenticeship. If you are not already employed, in this type of job role, you could search our apprenticeship vacancy page at:
www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-vacancies/
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 signed 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 Practitioner Apprenticeship will develop the knowledge and understanding of:
- How children learn and the expected pattern of babies/ children’s development and further development.
- The importance to children’s holistic development.
- How babies’ and young children’s learning and development can be affected.
- The significance of attachment, the key person's role and how transitions and other significant events impact children.
- The legal requirements and guidance on safeguarding, security, confidentiality of information and promoting the welfare of children.
- Safeguarding policies and procedures, including child protection and online safety.
- Own role and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and security.
- The legal requirements and guidance for, Health and safety and Security.
- Risks and hazards in the work setting and during off site visits.
- Own role and responsibilities.
- The work settings procedures for receiving, storing, recording, administration and the safe disposal of medicines.
- The signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is injured, unwell or in need of urgent medical/ dental attention.
- The impact of health and wellbeing on children’s development.
- The current dietary guidance for early years and why a healthy balanced diet and physical activity is important for.
- Ways to communicate with all children appropriate for all their stages of development.
- The statutory framework.
- The terms adult led activities, child initiated activities and spontaneous experiences.
- The key stages in the observation, assessment and planning cycle.
- How to refer concerns about a baby’s or child’s development.
- The statutory guidance in relation to the care and education of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Partnership working in relation to working effectively with children with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Specialist aids, resources and equipment available.
- Own role and expected behaviours and the roles of colleagues and the team.
- How to access workplace policies and procedures.
- How behaviour can impact on babies and children and influence them.
- Own responsibilities when following procedures in the work setting.
- The importance of reflective practice and continued professional development to improve own skills and early years practice.
- The roles and responsibilities of other agencies and professionals that work.
- The importance of the voice of the child, parental/carer engagement, the home learning environment and their roles in early learning.
Develop the skills in:
- Support babies and young children through a range of transitions.
- Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them.
- Identify risks and hazards in the work setting and during off site visits.
- Demonstrate skills and understanding for the prevention and control of infection.
- Use equipment, furniture and materials safely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and setting’s requirements.
- Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices.
- Promote health and wellbeing in settings by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy and balanced diet and be physically active.
- Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development.
- Communicate with all children in ways that will be understood.
- Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
- Use a range of communication methods to exchange information with children and adults.
- Work with colleagues to identify and plan enabling environments, activities, play opportunities and educational programmes to support children’s holistic development.
- Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
- Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, sharing results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory framework and setting’s requirements.
- Use learning activities to support early language development.
- Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
- Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
- Support the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
- Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
- Use feedback, mentoring and/or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
- Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
- Work alongside parents and/or carers and recognise their role in the baby’s/child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
- Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the baby’s/child’s care, play, learning and development.
- Demonstrate how to share information with parents/carers about the importance of healthy balanced diets, looking after teeth and being physically active.
Develop and demonstrate the following behaviours:
- Care and compassion.
- Honesty, trust and integrity.
- Positive work ethic.
- Being team focused.
- Work in a non- discriminatory way.
- Professional Practice.
On completion of the on-programme element of the apprenticeship you will enter gateway to the End Point Assessment, which is the final assessment. This will be conducted by an independent end point assessor who will grade the assessment.
End Point Assessment Methods
To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must:
- Have proof of English & maths GCSE minimum grade 1 (G) or equivalent level 1 qualification.
- Early Years Practitioner Qualification (level 2)
The End Point Assessment consists of:
Knowledge Test (paper based or online): A 60-minute test, consisting of 40 multiple choice questions.
Professional Discussion: A 90 minute discussion, consisting of 10 questions, to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours not covered in the observation and questioning.
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 a Early Years practitioner. You may gain employment with your employer and / or decide to complete Early Years Educator (Level 3). 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, normally, attend work a minimum of 30 hours per week where you will learn the skills and knowledge required to continue through your qualification. This may include shift working, bank holiday working and weekend working. 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 12 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area and may be reduced. The course duration is based on the apprentice working 30 hours per week but will be extended if the apprentice works less hours. The End Point Assessment will be completed within 3 months of completing the on-programme taught element.
How much will the Apprenticeship cost?
There are no fees for this apprenticeship.
What do I do next?
You can:
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