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Early Years Apprenticeships for Employers
Early Years apprenticeships are a cost-effective way to develop skilled childcare professionals within your workforce.
By combining workplace experience with structured training, apprentices gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to support children’s learning, development, health, and wellbeing. They develop expertise in areas such as safeguarding, communication, and creating engaging learning environments, while working towards a recognised qualification. This helps employers nurture talent, maintain high standards of care and education, and invest in the future of their setting.
Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship (Level 5)
Qualification
Duration
Location of Study
Early Years Lead Practitioners are found in a range of educational settings which can include day nurseries, playgroups, nursery schools, pre-schools, kindergartens, primary schools, hospitals, social care educational settings, out of school environments and local authority provision. They engage with sector developments both locally and nationally, with a commitment to developing their own professional and educational competencies.
This apprenticeship is ideal for individuals that want to pursue more senior roles, take on more responsibility, lead others, and contribute to higher-level decision-making across the industry.
Start dates are available throughout the year.
Skills Gained
Apprentices will learn how to be proactive and influential practitioners, working directly with children, skilfully leading day to day practice at an operational level. As an active practitioner they are an effective role model of play based learning, supporting others to develop their own practice.
They’ll become highly skilled professionals, taking an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care, adapting to individual needs by providing inclusive and holistic provision.
Training Structure & Time Commitments
This course is typically delivered via blended workshops with monthly face-to-face college sessions.
Candidate Suitability
Prospective apprentices would ideally have already achieved a GCSE (or Level 2 equivalent) at grade 4/C in English and Maths.
They will also need to be working in a relevant job role.
A Paediatric First Aid Certificate is required before Apprenticeship Assessment.
Assessment Method
Learners will have a 3-month apprenticeship assessment period.
This will include an observation with questions, and a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
Progression
On successful completion of this course, learners can progress to higher leadership roles in early years, e.g., setting manager or specialist lead.
Funding & Costs
If you’re a large company, you can fund the course using your apprenticeship levy. SMEs can access government funding to subsidise the cost by 95%, or 100% depending on the age of the apprentice. To find out more click here.
Interested in offering this as an apprenticeship?
Early Years Educator Apprenticeship (Level 3)
Qualification
Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
Duration
Location of Study
Early Years Educators work across a range of settings such as 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.
They’ll be be responsible for ensuring a safe and secure environment for children’s learning, ensuring that the learning environment and provision is inclusive and supports all children, and demonstrating a clear understand of equality, diversity, and inclusion. They’ll teach and facilitate children’s learning play, applying the observation, assessment, and planning cycle to support progress and children’s development. They act as the key person for one or more children within their setting, and they may play a leadership role within the setting or may act under the supervision of a manager.
Start dates are available throughout the year.
Skills Gained
Apprentices will learn how to provide and facilitate high quality early education and care to children. Through an evidence based approach, they’ll provide opportunities and learning experiences for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Early years educators follow 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.
Training Structure & Time Commitments
Learners will have weekly face-to-face sessions in college with an experienced tutor.
Candidate Suitability
Prospective apprentices would ideally have already achieved a GCSE (or Level 2 equivalent) at grade 4/C in English and Maths.
You will also need to be working in a relevant job role.
A Paediatric First Aid Certificate is required before Apprenticeship Assessment.
Assessment Method
Learners have a 3-month apprenticeship assessment period.
This will include a multiple-choice test, a practial assessment with questions, and an interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
Progression
Upon successful completion, learners can progress to supervisory roles, become an Early Years Lead Practitioner, or pursue childminding leadership roles.
Funding & Costs
If you’re a large company, you can fund the course using your apprenticeship levy. SMEs can access government funding to subsidise the cost by 95%, or 100% depending on the age of the apprentice. To find out more click here.
Interested in offering this as an apprenticeship?
Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship (Level 2)
Qualification
Duration
Location of Study
Early Years Practitioners are found in arange 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.
They 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.
Start dates are available throughout the year.
Skills Gained
Apprentices will learn how to support 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. They’ll also support the observation and assessment of each child and contribute to their learning experiences and assist with the care needs of the individual child such as teeth, skin, hair, feeding, changing nappies and toileting under direction of a more senior member of the team.
They’ll 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’ll 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.
Training Structure & Time Commitments
Learners will have weekly face-to-face sessions in college with an experienced tutor.
Candidate Suitability
Prospective apprentices would typically have already achieved a GCSE (or Level 1 equivalent) at grade 1/E in English and Maths.
Assessment Method
Learners have a 3-month apprenticeship assessment period.
This will include a multiple-choice test, a practial assessment with questions, and an interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
Progression
Upon successful completion, learners can progress on to Early Years Educator and Lead Practitioner roles.
Funding & Costs
If you’re a large company, you can fund the course using your apprenticeship levy. SMEs can access government funding to subsidise the cost by 95%, or 100% depending on the age of the apprentice. To find out more click here.
Interested in offering this as an apprenticeship?
Prefer to speak to someone?
Contact our team today.
Call – 01992 411 572
Email – apprenticeship@hrc.ac.uk