Overview

A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner will work and interact directly with children on a day to day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of activities.

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.

Typical job titles include: Assistant childminder, Early years practitioner, Nanny and early years worker, Nursery assistant, Nursery nurse, Nursery practitioner.

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What is involved in this apprenticeship?

We will work in partnership with employers and develop an apprenticeship programme to address any training and development needs of that apprentice and their place of work. We aim to support employers to grow and develop confident, strong Early Years practitioners. Apprentices will develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to enable them to use their child development knowledge to support the assessment and contibute to their learning experiences. Apprentices will also develop the skills required to meet the care needs of the individual children and to work in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals. 

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How will this apprenticeship be delivered?

The apprenticeship will be delivered using a blended learning approach. Training and learning sessions will normally be conducted both in the apprentice’s place of work and online to complete off- the-job training. We will agree on a curriculum plan with the employer to meet the training needs and prior experiences of the apprentice. Work-based assessment will normally be completed in the apprentice’s place of work and will include a variety of assessment methods, such as observation, professional discussion, questioning, witness testimonies. Knowledge requirements will be met via written assignments, projects, professional discussions and questioning. Assessment dates will be agreed by all parties at the start of the apprenticeship.

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Qualifications upon completion:

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices will achieve a recognised and accredited level 2 Early Years qualification. Some apprentices will need to achieve their level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths, if they do not already hold these qualifications or an equivalent. 

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