Early years practitioner apprenticeship

Our exciting level 2 early years apprenticeship provides the head start you need to work in the childcare and early years sector. If you’re working in early years or looking for a career to support young children our programme may just be what you need.

Course overview

At a glance

Level

2

Duration

12 months + End Point Assessment

Location

Workplace

About the course

We’re confident that this apprenticeship will provide you with the core skills that you need to work effectively within an early years setting.

The programme is 12 months of learning, followed by the End Point Assessment (EPA). This ensures you have enough time to learn everything you need and you’ll have the confidence to successfully pass the apprenticeship.

During the apprenticeship, you’ll receive frequent teaching sessions as well as being able to join remote webinars, complete the paediatric first aid course and independent tasks. Your trainer will support you and be on hand at all times so that you get the very best support when you need it.

All applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check with their employer as part of our safer recruitment process.

Is this course right for you?

We know that a career in early years can be extremely rewarding. We also understand how important it is for you to get the right skills to help you progress in the sector and have the capability and expertise to make a positive difference to children.

The early years practitioner level 2 programme is an ideal apprenticeship for those with job titles such as Nursery Assistant, Early Years Practitioner or Nursery Practitioner.

Our flexible and blended approach to training means that activities can be scheduled around needs. All learning is either on a 1-2-1 basis or small group webinars which can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection.

Throughout the programme we will meet with you to ensure you understand your programme, to report on your development and progress as well as making sure your programme requirements are being met.

Saief Ahmed reading to children

If you enjoy practical learning as apprenticeship is for you. It gives you so many opportunities to enhance your career.

Saief Ahmed, Rainbows Day Nursery

Ollie Family first

Family First would recommend Realise as they understand the needs of a growing organisation and tailor the approach accordingly.

Ollie Humphries, CEO at Family First Day Nurseries

Spinney Day John Thompson

I am pleased to say that we have always been extremely well supported by the Realise team especially in lockdown.

John Thompson OBE, Spinney Day Nursery, Owner

What you’ll learn

Over the course of the apprenticeship you’ll develop the essential skills and behaviours that you would expect to see in an exceptional employee.

Key learning topics covered during the apprenticeship include:

  • Roles and responsibilities of the early years practitioner
  • Effective communication
  • Safeguarding
  • Child development
  • Early Years Foundation Stage
  • Health & safety
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Equality & diversity
  • Partnership working

Apprentices need to have functional skills level 1 in English and maths and attempt level 2 before the final End Point Assessment to complete their apprenticeship. But don’t worry, we use a great online tool to help with English and maths learning, making it as easy as possible for apprentices. We also have a dedicated and friendly team of highly skilled specialist English and maths tutors who can provide additional support, if needed, alongside the support of the apprenticeship trainer.

Need more information?

No problem. It doesn’t matter if your query is big or small, our teams are here to help.

How you’ll learn

Our highly skilled and knowledgeable staff share their experiences of working in the sector to support and develop the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be a great practitioner.

All learning is either on a 1-2-1 basis or in small group webinars so that you have the best experience possible with sector experts.

We are delivering the programme remotely to provide as much flexibility as possible. You will benefit from a mix of on and off-the-job training.

Our typical delivery model includes:

  • 1-2-1 sessions (or remote sessions)
  • Webinars (including external expert guest speakers)
  • Remote support including Zoom, telephone and e-mail
  • Independent learning
  • Ongoing mentoring, coaching, advice and guidance
  • Specialist English and maths support (if needed)
  • Impartial Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG)
  • EPA preparation and support, including Gateway Readiness Check and mock tests

Our experts

The people that make it happen

Claire

Trainer assessor

Kerry

Trainer assessor

Leah

Trainer assessor

Lindsey

Curriculum lead

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Lindsey

Curriculum lead

I am a passionate and motivated trainer who loves to help others become the best that they can be. I am a qualified teacher and have worked in all aspects of the childcare sector from being a nanny to nursery settings. I love developing curriculum and supporting learning as part of my job role!

Mandy

Trainer assessor

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Mandy

Trainer assessor

I am into my 13th year as a Trainer Assessor, i have experience of managing 2 private day nurseries and have a lot f passion for childcare. I want to be able to share that passion with apprentices and help to teach and guide them into being .competent practitioners. I am also a qualified Paediatric First Aid trainer and deliver this alongside the standard qualifications.

Nicola

Trainer assessor

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Nicola

Trainer assessor

I’m a qualified childcare trainer who has 10 years’ experience within the industry. I have a degree in childhood studies and I spent three years prior to that working in a nursery working my way up from nursery nurse to deputy manager before making the leap into education – where I’ve never looked back. I love supporting others to achieve their goals within childcare.

Nola

Trainer assessor

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Nola

Trainer assessor

I am a Childcare Trainer with over 22 years experience in Childcare. I have had varied roles and experience including; working in a school, private day nursery, special educational needs support and Children’s & Young People’s Services before becoming an Assessor. I have been assessing for 12 years, I specialise as a Safeguarding Deputy.

Rebecca

Training & development officer

Shelley

Trainer assessor

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Shelley

Trainer assessor

I am a qualified trainer assessor for childcare. My experience is within early years settings, where I was a nursery manager, room leader and deputy. My experience, gained in the last 25 years, has given me the passion and commitment to give something back and be that trainer for my specialist subjects.

I have come a long way in my current role, my confidence has grown with Realise, I am delivering many webinars across the early years educator and teaching assistant standards. I always look forward to seeing my learners going into gateway and achieving their apprenticeships which makes me feel like a very proud trainer when they do.

Eve

Trainer assessor

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Eve

Trainer assessor

Before working for Realise, I had been nursery based for over 7 years. I have worked in everything from large, 250 children, work-place nurseries, to small private nurseries with 6 babies to a room. Before this I worked as a youth and children’s worker in a community centre. I am a qualified early years teacher with a passion for infant mental health, gaining a MA from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Mental Health Trust.

FAQs

What is a level 2 early years practitioner?
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A level 2 practitioner will work within an early years setting, interact with children on a daily basis, support planning within the setting, liaise with adults and support the wellbeing and safety of the children.

What is the level 2 qualification in early years?
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The level 2 early years practitioner qualification is an apprenticeship programme which is ideal for those that require the core skills to work effectively within an early years setting.

How much do nursery practitioners get paid?
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The pay for nursery practitioners is set by the employer. The national minimum wage for apprentices is a hourly rate of £4.30. The wage will never be less than the minimum wage set by the government, however some employers will choose to pay more than this. For the latest updates on national minimum wage, visit the government website.

What jobs can you do with a level 2 early years qualification?
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There are loads of jobs out there that you could do with a level 2 early years qualification, such as nursery assistant, early years practitioner, nursery practitioner, or early years worker. You could work in a 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 provisions.