Occupational Profile

This occupation is found in a range of private and public settings including; full daycare, 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.

Entry Requirements

Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. Most candidates will have Level 1 maths and English. Other relevant or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative.

Individuals will undergo all the checks as per the EYFS requirements to ensure suitability to work with children.

Delivery model and duration

• Between 12-18 months
• Delivery in the workplace or online (remote)
• Additional workshops for English and Maths if needed
• 20% Off-the-job training
• Ongoing support and assessments to capture knowledge, skills, and behaviours in preparation for the End-point Assessment

End Point Assessment – EPA

• Multiple Choice Knowledge Test 
• Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Qualification Outcomes

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

Functional Skills Level 1: English and Mathematics – if needed

End-point Assessment (EPA) – Apprenticeship Certificate

Progression

On completion, apprentices may choose to undertake the next level of apprenticeship training as an Early Years Educator. 

Job Roles

• Assistant Childminder
• Early Years Practitioner
• Nanny and early years worker
• Nursery Assistant
• Nursery Nurse
• Nursery Practitioner

Occupational Profile

Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurses 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 daycare, children’s centres, preschools, 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.

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

Behaviours:

These are the behaviours expected of all Early Years Educators carrying out their role:

• 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.
• Working practice take into account fundamental British values including democracy, the rule of the law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Entry Requirements

Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. Most candidates will have Level 2 Maths and English, ideally as part of 5 GCSE A-C grades. Other relevant or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative.

Individuals will undergo all the checks as per the EYFS requirements to ensure suitability to work with children.

Delivery model and duration

• Between 18-24 months
• Delivery in the workplace or online (remote)
• Additional workshops for English and maths if needed
• 20% Off-the-job training
• Ongoing support and assessments to capture knowledge, skills, and behaviours in preparation for the End-point Assessment

End Point Assessment – EPA

• Multiple Choice Knowledge Test
• Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Qualification Outcomes

Level 3 Early years Educator 

Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. (RQF) OR Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF)

Functional Skills Level 2: English and maths – if needed

End-point Assessment (EPA) – Apprenticeship Certificate

Progression

Early Year Educators can progress on to various further education relating to children or train to be a Manager in the sector. Successful completion of the level 3 could lead to a higher apprenticeship or degree in Early Years or employment as a senior nursery staff member and with further experience, deputy nursery manager.

Job Roles

• Early Years Educators
• Nursery Nurse
• Childminders

Occupational Profile

As a Children, Young People and Family Manager you will ensure direction, alignment and commitment within your own practice, your team(s), your organisation and across partnerships to help children, young people and families aspire to do their best and achieve sustainable change. You will build teams, manage resources and lead new approaches to working practices that deliver improved outcomes and put the child, young person or family at the centre of practice.

You could be solely responsible for the management of a team or service or be part of a management team. To deliver effectively on a wide range of outcomes you will work on a multi-agency basis with professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, as well as team leaders and managers from your own organisation.

With a focus on excellence in practice and improved performance, you will encourage Children, Young People and Family Practitioners to gain the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that will enable them to actively support each child, young person, young adult and family to achieve their potential. You will inform and improve practice by acting on research and new developments into how the needs of children, young people and families are best met. You will model the behaviours that encourage reflective practice, professional confidence and humility. You will challenge and support practitioners and ensure their practice is safe. You will develop and lead an ethos that will enable and inspire practitioners to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families.

Behaviours – the values and behaviours expected of a Children, Young People and Family Manager

Care: Respecting and valuing practitioners, encouraging and enabling them to deliver excellent practice

Compassion: Consideration and concern, combined with robust challenge and support

Courage: Having honest conversations and encouraging practitioners to offer their own

solutions to improving practice

Communication: Building relationships with practitioners, peers and partner organisations

Competence: Knowing the business, knowing what good practice looks like in others and having a relentless focus on delivering improved outcomes

Commitment: Demonstrating a strong moral purpose, modelling the ethos and building the skills of others and retaining and maintaining and own practice skills through effective CPD

Core Requirements – knowledge and skills These are based on the kind of statements we would typically expect practitioners to make about their manager

There are two options of which one must be selected based on the apprentice job role.  These are:

1. Manager in Children’s Residential Care
2. Children, Young People and Families Manager within the Community 

Entry Requirements

Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. Most candidates will have Level 2 Maths and English, ideally as part of 5 GCSE A-C grades. Apprentice must be in a managerial role. 

Individuals will undergo all the checks as per the EYFS requirements to ensure suitability to work with children. Undertake the Disclosure and Barring Service process and provide the result.

Delivery model and duration

• Between 24-30 months
• Delivery in the workplace or online (remote)
• Additional workshops for English and maths if needed
• 20% Off-the-job training
• Ongoing support and assessments to capture knowledge, skills, and behaviours in preparation for the End-point Assessment

End Point Assessment – EPA

• Situational Judgement Test
• Competence Interview

Qualification Outcomes

OPTION 1 (Manager in Children’s Residential Care): Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

OPTION 2 (Children, Young People and Families Manager within the Community): Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care

Functional Skills Level 2: English and Mathematics – if needed

End-point Assessment (EPA) – Apprenticeship Certificate

Progression

On completion, apprentices may choose to register with the National Institute of Child Care Management, to support their professional career development and progression.

Job Roles

• Manager in Children’s Residential Care
• Children, Young People and Families Manager in the Community