Childcare Apprenticeship
Gain a nationally recognised Childcare qualification with our specialist childcare training team.
Our Childcare Apprenticeship is perfect for anyone wanting to work as:
· Nursery Assistants
· Playworkers
· Breakfast club or after-school club workers
· Childminders
· Crèche Workers
· Family Support Workers
Working with children can provide an extremely rewarding and exciting career. A typical day working in a nursery might involve welcoming the parents to the setting, signing the children in for the day, helping to prepare and serve meals and snacks for the children, taking part in activities and games to help the children develop skills and abilities, and of course cleaning up after the children at the end of the day!
The Apprenticeship is an entry level Childcare qualification suitable for anyone starting their childcare career.
The Advanced Apprenticeship is suitable for anyone wishing to progress from their level 2, or those who already have suitable experience in working with children.
Apprenticeships are available to adults and young people. They involve achieving your NVQ along with a package of nationally recognised qualifications, including Paediatric First Aid. NVQs are available to adults and young people alike. You can take a Childcare NVQ if you are employed or if you have a voluntary placement in a childcare setting.
A career in childcare is demanding, fun, responsible and focuses on children and families. You need to be caring, patient, have lots of energy and enjoy meeting different people. Excellent punctuality and attendance, commitment and good communication skills are all vital.
Available Apprenticeship Standards
| Standard Title | Early Years Practitioner Standard Level 2 |
| Brief Description | 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. |
| What will you learn | Early Years Practitioner Level 2 qualification How children learn and the expected pattern of babies and children’s development from birth to 5 years and their further development from ages 5 to 7. Areas of development include cognitive, speech, language and communication, physical, emotional, social, brain development and literacy and numeracy. Safeguarding policies and procedures, including child protection and online safety. The impact of health and wellbeing on children’s development. The key stages in the observation, assessment and planning cycle and the value of observation for the child, the parents/ carers and the early years setting in planning the next steps. The importance of the voice of the child, parental/carer engagement, the home learning environment and their roles in early learning. |
| The training will include | Face to face and/or remote workshops together with online learning 1:1 support from a Tutor who will visit your workplace Progress reviews to be completed with your Tutor and line manager Development of a work-based portfolio to evidence learning End-point assessment (EPA) Functional Skills English and/or maths Level 1 and/or Level 2, if required |
| Entry Requirements | There are no formal entry requirements. In order to complete the apprenticeship, you will need English and maths at Level 1 (equivalent to GCSE grade 2-3) and attempt English and/or maths Level 2, but if you don’t have these qualifications don’t let this stop you from undertaking the apprenticeship as we can help you gain the Level 1 requirement and support you in working towards Level 2 during your studies. |
| Duration | 12 months plus 3 months EPA |
| Professional Membership | There no professional membership from this Standard. |
| Standard Title | Early Years Educator Standard Level 3 |
| Brief Description | Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse 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 day care, children’s centres, pre-schools, 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. |
| What will you learn | Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. (RQF) or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) The expected patterns of children’s development from birth to 5 years and have an understanding of further development from age 5 to 7. A range of underpinning theories and philosophical approaches to how children learn and develop, and their influence on practice. How children’s learning and development can be affected by their stage of development and individual circumstances such as moving school, birth of a sibling, family breakdown and adoption and care. The current early education curriculum requirements such as the Early Years Foundation Stage. The legal requirements and guidance on health and safety, security, confidentiality of information, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. How to prevent and control infection through ways such as handwashing, food hygiene practices and dealing with spillages safely. |
| The training will include | Face to face and/or remote workshops together with online learning 1:1 support from a Tutor who will visit your workplace Progress reviews to be completed with your Tutor and line manager Development of a work-based portfolio to evidence learning End-point assessment (EPA) Functional Skills English and/or maths Level 2, if required |
| Entry Requirements | There are no formal entry requirements. In order to complete the apprenticeship, you will need English and maths at Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4), but if you don’t have these qualifications don’t let this stop you from undertaking the apprenticeship as we can help you gain the Level 2 requirement during your studies |
| Duration | 18 months plus 3 months EPA |
| Professional Membership | Not applicable to this Standard |
| Standard Title | Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 § OPTION 1: Practitioner in Children's Residential Care |
| Brief Description | As a practitioner you will be working with children, young people and families, including carers, to achieve positive and sustainable change in their lives. You will demonstrate a passion to care for and about children, young people and families. You will be skilled in recognising and assessing the complex needs that children, young people and families often present. You will agree with the child, young person or family any specific interventions or referrals. Your approach will be one of respectful curiosity that challenges and supports children, young people and families to achieve their potential and stay safe. You will work alongside other professionals and organisations to share the responsibility for improving outcomes. Each piece of work with a child or family will be different and you will exercise judgement on a range of evidence-based approaches to inform your practice. You will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your methods and actions. Regular supervision with an experienced practitioner will encourage reflection on your practice. At the end of the apprenticeship the high quality of your practice will be making a real difference to those that you work with. OPTION 1: Practitioner in Children's Residential Care You could be working in a number of settings e.g. a children’s home, a residential special school or a secure children’s home. The children might be living on their own or in a larger group. You will take the lead in developing and delivering the child's placement plan and will work with the child to support their health, education, social and day to day needs, playing a significant role in helping them to thrive and fulfil their potential. |
| What will you learn | Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare The range of potential safeguarding risk factors (e.g. domestic violence, membership of gangs, missing children, online activity, radicalisation and Prevent agenda), the different forms of harm to children and vulnerable adults (e.g. neglect, child sexual exploitation, physical abuse, emotional abuse) and the local and national thresholds for safeguarding. Child, adolescent and adult development. The principles of effective assessment and the importance of analysis and professional judgement. Models for monitoring changes in a child, young person or family member’s wellbeing. Systems and policy frameworks for work with children, young people and families. e.g. education, health, care, employment, criminal justice, special educational needs and disabilities, first aid, safeguarding |
| The training will include | Face to face and/or remote workshops together with online learning 1:1 support from a Tutor who will visit your workplace Progress reviews to be completed with your Tutor and line manager Development of a work-based portfolio to evidence learning End-point assessment (EPA) Functional Skills English and/or maths Level 2, if required |
| Entry Requirements | Undertake the Disclosure and Barring Service process and provide the result. In order to complete the apprenticeship, you will need English and maths at Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4), but if you don’t have these qualifications don’t let this stop you from undertaking the apprenticeship as we can help you gain the Level 2 requirement during your studies |
| Duration | 24 months plus 3 months EPA |
| Professional Membership | Not applicable to this Standard |
| Standard Title | Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 |
| Brief Description | As an Early Years Lead Practitioner, you will work in settings such as day nurseries, playgroups, nursery schools, pre-schools, primary schools, hospitals, social care settings, out of school environments and local authority provision. You will be a proactive and influential practitioner, working directly with children, skilfully leading day to day practice at an operational level. Active practitioners are effective role models of play-based learning, supporting others to develop their own practice. They are highly skilled professionals who take an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care, adapting to individual needs providing inclusive and holistic provision. They engage with sector developments both locally and nationally, with a commitment to developing their own professional and educational competencies in their daily work, you interact with children aged birth to eight years, families, practitioners, other professionals, and appropriate agencies. You will be responsible for supporting the quality of learning and development in their setting. They lead on the operational aspects or environment such as Communication and Language, Planning and Assessment, Forest School, Physical Activity and Nutrition. You usually report directly to the head of the setting (The Manager, The Leader, The Director) |
| What will you learn | · Promoting the health and well-being of all children, self-regulation and resilience through learning rich environments and opportunities for challenging play. · Providing playful, sensitive interaction opportunities that reflect children’s needs, interests and motivations. · Participating and leading daily routines and practice. · ![]() Be an effective key person and advocate for the child, supporting the child’s developmental, emotional and daily needs within a secure and caring relationship. · Take the lead and provide support in disseminating best practice in the use of observation, assessments and planning to meet children’s needs. · Promoting and facilitating a clear understanding of diversity and equality to support all children. Able to use and evaluate distinctive approaches which engage and support inclusively of all children within their social and cultural context. |
| The training will include | · Face to face and/or remote workshops together with online learning · 1:1 support from a Tutor who will visit your workplace · Progress reviews to be completed with your Tutor and line manager · Development of a work-based portfolio to evidence learning · End-point assessment (EPA) · Functional Skills English and/or maths Level 1 and/or Level 2, if required |
| Entry Requirements | Undertake the Disclosure and Barring Service process and provide the result. In order to complete the apprenticeship, you will need English and maths at Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4), but if you don’t have these qualifications don’t let this stop you from undertaking the apprenticeship as we can help you gain the Level 2 requirement during your studies. |
| Duration | 24 months plus 3 months EPA |