Course overview

This occupation is found 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.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to 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.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with parents, children, colleagues and wider multi agency professionals and partners such as health visitors, social workers and speech and language therapists. Individuals will undergo all checks as per the EYFS requirements to ensure suitability to work with children. Due to the nature and level of responsibility it is
not anticipated that the role would have any budgetary or leadership responsibilities.
They will be responsible for supporting 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. An EYP will 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 will also 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 will 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.

An Early Years Educator:
• Plans and supervises child initiated and adult led activities which are based around the needs and interests of each individual child
• Supports children to develop numeracy and language skills through games and play
• Has key person responsibility to help ensure each child feels safe and secure
• Observes each child and shapes their learning experience to reflect their observations
• Meets the care needs of the individual child such as feeding, changing nappies and administration of medicine
• Works in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child

Within this course you will:
- Work in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child in line with company policies and procedures.
- Use play to support children to understand and encourage healthy life choices.
- Identify issues of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring that the welfare and safety of children is promoted and safeguarded and to report any child protection concerns to the person in charge.
- Carryout self-reflection and use continuous professional development opportunities to improve practice.
- Undertake specific tasks related to the safety and hygiene of the children and the cleanliness of the setting.
- Use your knowledge of child development to work with parents and carers to improve children outcomes and wellbeing, including those with disabilities and additional needs.
- Contribute to the planning and organise activities and children's individual experiences which will support and extend the children’s learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Communicate and engage with children to support their learning and development.
- Support the collection of accurate and up-to-date records which identify children’s individual needs, abilities and progress and use these as a basis for future planning.
- Support the wellbeing of all children including those with additional needs and disabilities.

Course costs:
Employer Contribution or up to 100% Government Funding and Additional Incentives may be available.

Entry requirements

Working at Level 1 English and Maths. Apprentices will need to achieve this level and apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to take the tests for this level prior to taking the End Point Assessment.

How will I be assessed?

The End Point Assessment (EPA) can only be triggered after 12 months of starting the apprenticeship and is dependent on when the employer and training provider decide the apprentice is ready. EPA is typically expected to conclude within 3 months. The employer has the final decision to progress the apprentice to EPA. The apprentice and training provider should feel confident the learning outcomes have been achieved.

The EPA consists of three elements, all of which may be completed online. All assessment methods need to be passed. Each assessment method should directly assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Standard. The assessor has the final decision.

What can I do next

On successful completion of the apprenticeship Level 2, you could progress on to the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship once you become a key worker for a group of children.