Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship
Early Years Practitioners work in a variety of settings, including nurseries, preschools, reception classes, children’s centres, and family hubs, supporting the learning and care of children from birth to age 5 in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
You’ll work directly with children every day, helping to plan and deliver activities, purposeful play, and educational programmes. Under the guidance of an Early Years Educator or teacher, you’ll ensure children feel safe, supported, and able to thrive.
Your responsibilities include:
- Supporting child-led and adult-led activities
- Assisting with observation and assessment
- Meeting care needs such as feeding, changing, and toileting
- Working with parents, carers, and professionals to meet individual needs
- Promoting health, safety, and safeguarding at all times
You can start this apprenticeship at any time, please contact us for further information.
This apprenticeship will cover the following knowledge, skills and behaviours:
Knowledge
- How babies and young children learn and develop from birth to 7 years
- The importance of speech, language, communication, and holistic development
- Safeguarding and child protection, including Prevent and online safety
- Health and safety requirements, risk management, and infection control
- Nutrition, wellbeing, and promoting healthy lifestyles
- Observation, assessment, and planning for learning
- Equality, diversity, inclusion, and supporting children with SEND
- Partnership working with parents, carers, and professionals
- The statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework
Skills
- Plan and deliver purposeful play and learning activities
- Support care routines such as feeding, hygiene, and toileting
- Communicate effectively with children and families
- Observe and assess development to inform planning
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and multi-agency teams
- Promote safeguarding, health, and safety at all times
Behaviours
- Caring and compassionate
- Professional and responsible
- Inclusive and respectful
- Committed to continuous development
This programme combines on-the-job and off-the-job training to give you practical experience and structured learning.
- You’ll complete the minimum requirement of off-the-job training
- Attend mandatory monthly tutor-led sessions
- Record your independent study in a reflective learning log, capturing your experiences, reflections, and achievements
- Receive regular support from a Skills Development Tutor, who will work closely with your workplace mentor to monitor progress
On successful completion, you will achieve the following:
- Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard
- Functional Skills Maths and English (if required)
You may wish to progress to a higher level of study, please speak to your Skills Development Tutor for information.
- If you are aged 16–18 and do not have Level 1 English and maths, you’ll need to achieve these qualifications as part of your apprenticeship.
- If you already hold Level 1, you must attend sessions and complete the Level 2 tests.
For apprentices aged 19+:
- Functional Skills is no longer mandatory.
- However, if you choose to opt out of Functional Skills, you must have employer approval.
Additional Requirements
- An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to work in this industry.
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Your progress will be reviewed regularly through a mix of:
- Assignments and practical activities
- Reflective discussions
- Expert witness testimonies
- Workplace observations
When you’ve met the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours, your employer and Skills Development Tutor will confirm your readiness for Gateway, the point where you move to the End Point Assessment (EPA).
There is no fee for the learner. For information on costs to the employer, please contact us.
