Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship

Become an Early Years Educator

with the Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship.

EYE AT A GLANCE

Course Duration: Up to 18 months

• Blended training

• Counts towards EYFS Level 3 child:staff ratios

Early Years Educator Level 3. Award in Paediatric First Aid OR Emergency Paediatric First Aid.

I’ve had a great experience with my tutor Sarah. She made me feel comfortable and really made sure that I understood anything I was unsure of.”

The Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship is a funded work-based training programme focused on those working with and caring for children from 0–5 years.

What will I be learning?

This Level 3 apprenticeship is suitable if you are already working in, or aspiring to work in, Early Years childcare. It is an excellent progression route if you are a practitioner who holds a Level 2 qualification in Early Years and are looking to pursue a career as an Early Years Educator, Nursery Teaching Assistant, Nursery Nurse, Supervisor or Child Minder.

The course is delivered over 15 months, including monthly virtual classrooms, tutor visits and coursework.

How will I be learning?

The programme offers a blended approach including virtual classrooms, work-based tasks and online assignments. We use an online platform that helps you learn the topics and skills, reflect on your practice and build your portfolio. You will also receive one-to-one support and tuition from your apprenticeship tutor

Reviews

You will have reviews and support from your tutor every 4-6 weeks, either by a visit to your setting or online. Your employer/mentor will be an integral part of these reviews.

Curriculum Modules

There are 11 Modules

• Module 1 - Personal development

• Module 2 - Safeguarding

• Module 3 - Health and safety

• Module 4 - Child development

• Module 5 - Theories of play and learning

• Module 6 - A unique child

• Module 7 - Enabling Environments

• Module 8 - Teaching, learning and assessment

• Module 9 - Equality, diversity and SEND

• Module 10 - Partnership working

• Module 11- Transitions

Off-the-job training

For the apprenticeship, a certain amount of your working hours should be focused on gaining new learning. The amount of off-the-job (OTJ) training hours required for EYE is based on the requirements of the apprenticeship framework. The image below illustrates the tasks that contribute to OTJ training hours.

Off-the-job training examples

Functional skills

If you have not secured a grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent) in maths and English GCSE, you will be required to complete functional skills in:

• English – reading, writing, speaking and listening

• Maths – calculator with a non-calculator section

You will be supported on a one-to-one basis by your apprenticeship tutor to complete these as quickly as possible using a range of training materials to best suit you.

Please note: this is mandatory for 16–18 year olds who don’t have equivalent qualifications. Optional for those aged 19 and over.

Gateway to Completion

On programme completion, you, your employer and apprenticeship tutor will meet to agree you are ready for your Apprenticeship Assessment.

This is also a chance for your tutor to help with any questions you have about the assessment, and make sure you are confident and happy to proceed

Apprenticeship Assessment

The Apprenticeship Assessment is conducted by an external company.

The assessment period is for up to 3 months, but can be quickly achieved.

• Assessment 1 – professional discussion through your portfolio

• Assessment 2 – observation and questioning

What do I need to apply?

You must be 16 or over and meet these points to apply.

Support from your employer OR support finding an employer

Funding

As an apprentice, you will not have to pay any money towards your course. You will need the support from your setting, who can access funds from the English apprenticeship levy fund. Best Practice Network can help your employer with information and support if needed to apply for these funds.

Kick off a career in early years with our Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2

After completion of the programme, work in a range of early years settings, delivering Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Early years careers can be started or continued with the Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3. Apprentices will achieve an EYE qualification, which has been approved to count towards the EYFS Level 3 child : staff ratios.

Funding agreed with the apprenticeship account holder. Support is available.

UK residency for 3+ years.

How to apply

To apply, you should complete the application via the programme page on our website. Our team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps. You will need to upload proof of any existing qualifications and complete a short maths and English initial assessment.

Where do I go next?

The Early Years Educator Level 3 is an advanced apprenticeship equivalent to an NVQ 3. You could progress to the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship and do further training to reach Early Years Teacher Status.

The Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 5 is ideal for highly skilled professionals who take an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care.

Best Practice Network work closely with a partner who delivers a 12-month top-up programme, giving you a degree on completion and the qualification levels required to progress on to EYITT.

Finally, completing Early Years Initial Teacher Training awards Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), and as the leading Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) provider in the country, we boast a 100% pass rate.

For employers – how apprenticeships could benefit your setting

Hiring an apprentice

You can employ apprentices at different levels, from school leavers or recent graduates to people who wish to advance in their careers or change careers altogether.

The government offers a range of funding options to help settings support apprentice training.

If you need help recruiting for an apprentice in your setting or school, we can help! Speak to our recruitment team on +44 (0) 117 920 9428 or email enquiries@bestpracticenet.co.uk

What is the levy fund?

The English apprenticeship levy fund is controlled by the Department for Education and was created as a long-term funding solution for companies to hire and train apprentices.

Our apprenticeship programmes qualify for funding from the English apprenticeship levy fund. Best Practice Network provides support to candidates and their employers to access this funding.

For guidance on how the funding routes apply to your setting, speak to one of our apprenticeship experts on +44 (0) 117 920 9428 or email enquiries@bestpracticenet.co.uk

Enrol your employees

Employers should contact Best Practice Network via enquiries@bestpracticenet.co.uk to reserve a place on the required programme.

We will then support you with gathering all necessary information, registering your Apprenticeship Service Account, funding applications and any necessary recruitment.

Upskill your workforce

By using apprenticeships to upskill your existing staff, you are helping to fill key gaps in your business, improving staff retention and supporting their professional development.

Here at Best Practice Network, we support learners through our career pathway, developing their skill from Level 2 to Level 5.

Funding routes

If your setting contributes to the apprenticeship levy fund

If your setting does not contribute to the apprenticeship levy fund

Apprenticeship levy transfer

Levy paying employers can access their fund contributions through their Apprenticeship Service Account

You can use this service to manage the funds you have available for apprenticeship training in England.

You pay 5% towards the cost of the training for your apprentice. The remaining 95% will be paid by the government

Employers with unspent funds can transfer up to 25% of that contribution to another employer. That means you can benefit from the levy contributions of a different organisation to cover the full costs of an apprenticeship for your setting.

If your setting has fewer than 50 employees

You will receive 100% of the funding where the apprentice is 16-21 years old or is between 22-24 and has a local authority education, health and care plan.

Employers and training providers will both receive an additional £1,000 where the apprentice is between 16 and 18 years old.

Best Practice Network is a registered apprenticeship training provider and an accredited provider of professional development for education professionals nationally, with 97% of our participants recommending us to a colleague.

We work in close partnership with practising education professionals to develop and deliver high-quality programmes.

I cannot fault the support I’ve received in any way so far. Any queries or questions I have are answered promptly and I also feel my confidence is rising already as I know I will receive any support needed.”

Rated “an exceptional training provider”

– Department for Education

+44 (0) 117 920 9428

enquiries@bestpracticenet.co.uk

bestpracticenet.co.uk