Level 2 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.
At a glance
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LevelLevel 2
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Duration12 months + End Point Assessment
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LocationWorkplace
About the course
Is this course right for you?
What you’ll learn
How you’ll learnAbout the course
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.
If you are looking to:
- Gain hands-on experience whilst completing a FREE qualification.
- Gain financial independence and earn a wage whilst you learn.
- Follow a clear progression pathway to a stable and rewarding career.
- Build the skills and knowledge to excel in an early years setting.
- Be part of a profession that shapes children’s futures – and your own.
Then this level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship programme is perfect for you!
The level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship offers you the best of both worlds – earning a salary while gaining a qualification, with clear career progression.
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 engaging remote webinars and complete 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.
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.
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
If you enjoy practical learning then an apprenticeship is for you. It gives you so many opportunities to enhance your career.
Saief Ahmed, Rainbows Day Nursery
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
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
If I hadn’t completed this course I honestly don’t know what career path I would be in however I love and enjoy where I am right now and for me personally doing this apprenticeship has been so much easier than going to university.
Zara Aziz, Family First Apprentice
Level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship - Realise
The people that make it happen
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
The pay for nursery practitioners is set by the employer. The national minimum wage for apprentices is a hourly rate of £6.40. 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.
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.
Need more information?
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Get StartedRelated courses
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Level 2
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Workplace
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12 months + End Point Assessment
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