Your pathway to a career
in Early Years
The Early Years role is found in various settings, including daycare centres, children’s centres, pre-schools, reception classes, playgroups, nurseries, hospitals, social care environments, and local authority services. Typically, job roles include:
- Providing high-quality care and education for children, following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for children from birth to 5 years.
- Creating learning experiences for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
- Working with children, parents, caregivers, and professionals like health visitors, social workers, and speech therapists to support children’s development.
- Facilitating learning through play and following the observation, assessment, and planning cycle to track children’s progress and promote their development.
- Acting as key persons for specific children, ensuring their well-being, and may take on leadership roles or work under a manager.
- Promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality in all aspects of their work, ensuring a supportive and secure environment for every child’s learning.
Get ready to take the next step with an Early Years apprenticeship!
Early Years Educators play a vital role in shaping children’s early learning and development.
- Child-Centered Learning: Support children’s learning and development through effective teaching practices and observation-based planning.
- Building Relationships: Develop secure, supportive connections with children and families, advocating for their needs and well-being.
- Collaboration: Work with families, external agencies, and professionals to improve children’s outcomes, health, and development.
- Care and Well-Being: Provide respectful, responsive physical and emotional care, ensuring children’s health, safety, and well-being.
- Inclusive Practice: Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, respecting the unique social and cultural contexts of all children.
- Professional Growth: Continuously engage in professional development and reflective practice to enhance skills and implement improvements in care and education.
Here’s what you can expect:
Hands-on Training and Experience
Apprenticeships will provide learners with practical, on-the-job training in an early years setting, such as a nursery or childcare facility. You can apply your skills and knowledge in a real-world environment, gaining valuable experience working with young children.
Relevant Qualifications and Certifications
This will equip you with the qualifications and certifications to work in the early years sector, such as childcare-related diplomas or NVQs. This will help ensure you are fully equipped with the skills and credentials to secure employment.
Develop your professional network
You will work closely with professionals in their field, giving direct access to potential employers and mentors who can guide career development. The workplace experience helps learners build relationships with industry insiders, increasing their chances of securing employment after completing the apprenticeship.
Personalised Training and Support
Designed in collaboration with industry experts to ensure the curriculum meets the sector’s specific needs. You will receive personalised support and guidance throughout the programme, including assistance in developing key skills, such as patient/client care and interview preparation.
Flexible Learning Options
Flexible learning options to accommodate learners’ diverse needs and commitments. This accessibility helps make the programme inclusive and suitable for many individuals, including those with other responsibilities.
Opportunity to Upskill and Advance
Serving as a stepping stone for learners, providing a pathway to further their education and career development in the early years sector. Successful programme completion can open up progression opportunities, such as moving into more senior roles or pursuing additional qualifications.
What are the entry requirements for the Apprenticeship?
Eligibility includes:
- Age: Must be 16 years or older.
- Education: Generally, a minimum of GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, typically grades 4 (C) or above.
- Experience: Some experience in childcare or working with children is beneficial but not always required.
- DBS Check: An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure suitability for working with children.
- Interest in Childcare: A genuine interest in early childhood development and education.
- Right to Work in the UK: Must have the legal right to work in the UK.
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