Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

About this course

Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders, are highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre schools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

What will the course involve?

To gain the full apprenticeship standard you will need to complete the following qualifications and End Point Assessment:

• Level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification

• Apprentices must successfully complete the Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. (RQF) or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) Or complete a first aid course delivered by one of the following types of organisations as per the EYFS requirements. 

• Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking their end point assessment.  For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirements are Entry Level 3, and the British Sign Language qualification is an alternative to English qualifications for apprentices for whom this is their primary language.

Apprentices will be coached/mentored on their knowledge, understanding  and behaviours which will include: 

Knowledge and Understanding:

• The importance of promoting diversity, equality and inclusion, fully reflecting cultural differences and family circumstances.

• The importance to children’s holistic development of:  - speech, language and communication  - personal, social and emotional development  - physical development

• Systematic synthetic phonics in the teaching of reading, and a range of strategies for developing early literacy and mathematics.

• The potential effects of, and how to prepare and support children through, transitions and significant events in their lives.

• Encourage children’s participation, ensuring a balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities.

Behaviours:

• Care and compassion -  provide the very best childcare to every child every day combined with the ability to professionally challenge poor practice

• Being team-focused - work effectively with colleagues and other professionals and support the learning and development of others through mentoring and sharing of professional expertise and experience.

• Honesty, trust and integrity - develop trust by working in a confidential, ethical and empathetic manner with a common sense and professional attitude.
  Commitment to improving the outcomes for children through inspiration and child centred care and education

• Work in a non- discriminatory way, by being aware of differences and ensuring all children have equal access to opportunities to learn, develop and reach their potential.

What qualifications will I need?

• Working in a setting that follows the EYFS curriculum that also has an OFSTED rating of Good or Outstanding.

• Apprentices should have minimum of Grade C in English and Maths 

• If the learner does not currently hold the above qualifications an assessment will be conducted to evaluate their potential to achieve the above or suitable Level 2 qualifications.

• All applicants applying for an apprenticeship will be required to complete a Skill Scan and undertake initial assessments before the start date.

How will I be assessed?

The learning for this standard is mainly through on-the-job experience in an early year setting. Apprentices start a Level 3 Early Years Educator in the on-programme stage, with the addition of the relevant  Paediatric First Aid qualification, and then go on to complete an End Point Assessment.

Apprentices will need to progress with a training plan in order to attain appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours with the support of a coach/mentor in the workplace. Progress targets will be set to ensure timely completion of the apprenticeship. In addition to the assessment 20% ‘off-the-job’ training is incorporated throughout the apprenticeship and is planned and agreed with the employer, provider and apprentice.  

In agreement with the employer, provider and apprentice, provided that all qualifications and assessment are completed the apprentice will undergo an End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment is a synoptic assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours that have been developed and supported throughout the apprenticeship.

Next Steps

By the end of the apprenticeship the candidate will have satisfied the requirements for 

• Higher Education