COURSE
L3 Apprenticeship Standard for Early Years Educator
Early Years Educators 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 day care, 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 the government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years.
Job Roles this qualification is suitable for:
Examples of a job role this qualification is suitable for but not limited to are:
- Nursery Nurse
- Childminders
- Early Years Educator
- Nursery Teaching Assistant
- Family Support Worker
- Pre-School Worker
Entry Requirements:
- Extensive early years experience or a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification or equivalent
- Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking their end-point assessment
- For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3
- A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL
How long will it take to complete?
The qualification usually takes around 18 months. However, it is possible to complete earlier depending on existing achievement and individual circumstances. This can be discussed with your tutor.
Aims of this qualification
The aim of this qualification is to support the apprentice’s understanding of the 3 key areas covering Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours.
| KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | BEHAVIOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns of children’s development from birth to 5 years and further development from age 5 to 7 |
Analyse and explain how children’s learning and development is affected by their development stage and individual circumstances
|
Care and compassion
|
|
Significance of attachment
|
Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
|
Being team-focused
|
| Theories and philosophical approaches to how children learn and develop | Ensure plans fully reflect the stage of development, individual needs and circumstances of children | Honesty, trust and integrity |
| How children’s learning and development is affected by their development stage and individual circumstances |
Model and promote positive behaviours expected of children
|
Commitment
|
| The importance of promoting diversity, equality and inclusion, fully reflecting cultural differences and family circumstances |
Enhance the learning environment, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all children
|
Work in a non-discriminatory way
|
|
The importance to children’s holistic development
|
Carry out and record observational assessment accurately |
Working practice take into account fundamental British values
|
|
How to prepare and support children through transitions and significant events in their lives
|
Promote healthy lifestyles | |
| How to prevent and control infection |
Undertake tasks to ensure the prevention and control of infection
|
|
| Systematic synthetic phonics in the teaching of reading |
Work in partnership with parents and/or carers and other professionals
|
|
| Strategies for developing early literacy and mathematics. |
Carry out risk assessment and risk management in line with policies and procedures
|
|
| Why health and well-being is important for babies and children |
Engage in effective strategies to develop and extend children’s learning and thinking
|
|
| Safeguarding policies and procedures | Support children’s group learning and socialisation |
How is it delivered?
Apprentices will be allocated a qualified tutor to support the full completion of the apprenticeship and prepare them for the end-point assessment (sometimes 2 tutors will be required at different times for teaching different elements). The tutor will undertake engaging and interactive teaching, learning and support sessions with the apprentice on a regular basis (at least every 4-5 weeks) remotely via Zoom or in the workplace if appropriate to conduct teaching, learning and assessments. These will be planned with the apprentice and employer.
The tutor will manage a portfolio of evidence using an online electronic system called OneFile and give regular updates about progress. Apprentices can contact their tutor in-between visits to discuss any aspect of their qualification and will be able to access their online portfolio 24/7.
Learning Outcomes:
- Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard
- NCFE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
- Level 2 Functional Skills in English
- Level 2 Functional Skills in maths
- Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF)
On Programme Learning:
On-programme assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviours will lead to the final synoptic end-point assessment.
Assessment Gateway
Before the apprentice is adjudged ready to undertake the end-point assessment by their employer and training provider, they will need to:
- Complete NCFE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
- Achieve Level 2 English and maths Functional Skills
- Receive confirmation from the employer that the apprentice is working at or above the level of the occupational standard
- Achieve Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) or complete a first aid course delivered by one of the following types of organisations as per the EYFS requirements. Voluntary aid society, member of trade body with an approval and monitoring system, or acknowledged by the Health and Safety Executive
- Submit a portfolio of evidence containing 10-12 pieces of evidence
The purpose of the end-point assessment is to test (in a synoptic way) the skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard.
The end-point assessment provides apprentices with a showcase opportunity to provide oral and documentary evidence of their knowledge, skills and behaviours developed throughout the apprenticeship. Enables the independent assessor to assess the skills and behaviours of the apprentice by observing the apprentice in the course of their normal work. Tests the knowledge acquired by the apprentice throughout the apprenticeship.
End Point Assessment
An end-point assessment will be conducted by staff from an Independent End-Point Assessment Organisation (IEPAO) approved by the Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations.
The end-point assessment will comprise of two assessments. All assessments must be individually passed for the apprentice to be deemed competent:
- Knowledge Test:
Knowledge Test is a multiple-choice test consisting of 35 questions to assess the knowledge for this occupation. This assessment method tests the knowledge of theories, psychological practices and safeguarding to confirm the competency of the apprentice.
Grading for Knowledge Test: Fail / Pass
- Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio
A professional discussion is structured to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and cover the KSBs assigned to this assessment method. It will allow the apprentice to evidence both the knowledge gained and its application through skills and behaviours.
The portfolio of evidence should be mapped by the apprentice against the KSBs assessed by the professional discussion. The evidence must include at least two observations of practice, CPD training records/certificates, work products produced by the apprentice, for example, observation, assessment and planning documents, risk assessments, communication documents and meeting records.
Grading for Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio: Fail/Pass/Distinction
Overall apprenticeship standard grade: Fail/Pass/Distinction
Progression routes:
This standard provides the foundation for progression into a number of career paths in the education and childcare sector including the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard.