Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship

This Apprenticeship is for learners who are new to the early years sector, and are looking to begin their career with an intermediate level qualification. Apprentices will support the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5.

Early Years Educators 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, preschools, reception classes and as childminders.

Topics include:

• Child development
• Children’s Behaviours
• Safeguarding
• Health and safety
• Communication
• Supporting children’s activities
• Special educational needs
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Partnerships

You will:

• Use your own initiative to plan and organise your own work in the role of a nursery nurse
• Learn how to support children to develop numeracy and language skills
• Ensure each child is safe and feels secure in their environment
• Work in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child

Apprentices will need to be working towards and achieve the following job role requirements before their End Point Assessment:

• Work with a team to support children’s daily care and education
• Have a solid awareness of keeping children safe and healthy
• Assist with the planning and preparation of educational activities
• Support children’s personal care

External assessments, including exams, and a substantial employer set project via practical assessments of skills and the ability to apply your knowledge.

Choose this course if you want to be part of the physical, social and emotional development of young children by planning and delivering a range of activities. You need patience, understanding and good communication skills.

Next steps: On successful completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship, you could move on to the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship. Alternatively, you could progress directly into the workplace as an Early Years Educator/Nursery Nurse in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Standards.

Every employer is different and therefore the entry requirements can vary. As a guide you ideally need GCSE grade 4 or above in English and Maths and in some cases ICT.

If you are 19 or over, functional skills are not required unless requested by the apprentice’s employer.

However, we will work with you and provide additional support in order to help you achieve the functional skills element or GCSE requirements of the Apprenticeship. Support can be delivered either prior to your Apprenticeship or during the delivery of your programme.

You need patience, understanding, a strong desire to work with people and good communication skills. You will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for your employer.

The Hele Building was renovation in 2021 to support some of the new T Levels. Complete bright, large classrooms, state-of-the-art IT suites and interactive seminar spaces. Learners have access to cutting edge equipment to help gear them to move directly into industry or further study.

All students have access to the College Learning Resource Centres (LRCs), the College restaurant @34 and the College Gym.

Other costs would include the purchase of recommended textbooks. You will need an enhanced DBS check done through your work placement or the college.