Apprenticeships in childcare provide learners with the opportunity to gain and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to ensure the welfare and development of children no matter their circumstances.
Our range of programmes are suitable for new entrants to the workforce through to experienced professionals hoping to upskill and take the next step in their career as a practitioner or manager.
Our courses are taught by former industry professionals, from a variety of backgrounds, both in the workplace and in our modern classroom facilities, a full list of our apprenticeship programmes can be found below:
Early Years Practitioner, Level 2
Course Overview
This occupation is found in a range of private and public settings including full daycare, 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 the government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Entry Requirements
Three GCSEs grade 4 or above (to include English and Maths at grade 4 or above). Employer’s own requirements.
Delivery
Day release – one day per week in college.
Assessment
On the qualification programme, there will be a portfolio of assessments and observations in the workplace. There will be employer observations as part of this process. The qualification must be gained before the employee can access the end-point assessment (EPA).
The EPA assessment consists of a professional discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, and a knowledge test at the end of the apprenticeship.
Start Date
September 2022
Duration
12 months + 3-month EPA (End-Point Assessment) period
The qualification will be delivered Sept 2022-June 2023. There is an expectation that students keep up to date to achieve within this timeframe to allow them to focus and prepare for the End Point Assessment with the support of the college.
Employer Fees
Levy: £4,000
Non-levy: £200.00
Employer Incentive
If the apprentice is aged 16-18, the employer will receive an incentive of £1000
Early Years Educator, Level 3
Course Overview
This qualification provides a suitable level of occupational competence to meet regulatory and registration requirements for the sector.
Achievement of this qualification will enable apprentices to access higher-level jobs within the sector, e.g. Nursery Supervisor, Nursery Manager, Pre-school Manager/Coordinator, Managing a Home Childcare business. There is also an opportunity for apprentices to go on to further study at higher levels, particularly working towards Foundation Degrees in Early Years. This in turn will support the achievement of Early Years Professional Status (Graduate level).
Entry Requirements
Level 3 determines that the apprentice should be working at a level where they may either be working on their own or supervising others, the apprentice should have prior experience of the sector and be employed in a position whereby they would be able to demonstrate the competencies required at this level.
You must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week in the professional area that your Apprenticeship is in. All candidates will need to undertake a literacy & numeracy assessment prior to starting the apprenticeship training. You need to be living in England and not taking part in full-time education.
When we have received your application you will be invited into college for an interview.
Topics Covered
You will study the Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (QCF), which includes topics such as:
- Understand Children’s Early Years Education and Development
- Implementing Early Years Foundation Stage
- Plan and Provide Effective Teaching and Learning in Early Years Settings
- Understanding How to Promote Play and Learning in the Early Years
- Accurate use of assessment in the Early Years
- Partnership working in the Early Years Foundation Stage
Delivery
Day release
Assessment
You will attend group sessions and take part in work-based assessments. You will demonstrate proof of competence through your work whilst on the programme. Methods of assessment used by the assessors are assignments, case studies, observations, witness testimonies, reflective accounts and some work products.
The candidate will be expected to produce a portfolio of evidence. Assessment and verification will be undertaken by the college. This will be carried out by qualified lecturers, assessors and internal verifiers.
As part of the apprenticeship framework, reviews are completed every 12 weeks by the assessor where progress is discussed by the apprentice, assessor and employer.
Start Date
September
Duration
12 to 18 months
Teaching Assistant, Level 3
Course Overview
This Apprenticeship provides development to learning support staff whose role requires competence across a range of responsibilities. You will learn how to contribute to planning, implementing and evaluating learning activities whilst working alongside the teacher to support whole-class activities as well as working on your own with an individual or groups of pupils.
This framework provides training for the roles of teaching, classroom and learning support assistant; special needs assistant; behaviour support assistant/coordinator; pastoral/welfare assistant; foundation stage assistant or team leader.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements, but ideally, the candidate should be educated to Level 2 and must be working within the sector. You will attend an information session before starting the programme. You must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week in the professional area that your Apprenticeship is in. You will be required to undertake a literacy & numeracy assessment prior to starting the apprenticeship training. You need to be living in England and not taking part in full-time education.
When we have received your application, you will be interviewed by an assessor.
Topics Covered
Mandatory Units include:
- Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults
- School as organisations
- Support learning activities
- Promote children and young people’s positive behaviour
You will also have a range of optional units to select from which include: Provide Literacy and Numeracy Support; Support Children’s Speech, Language and Communication; Support Disabled Children and Young People and Those with Special Educational Needs; Support Individuals to Meet Personal Care Needs.
Delivery
You will attend college one day per week and receive visits from the trainer throughout your employment. Additional time for Functional Skills studies if required.
Assessment
You will attend weekly group sessions and take part in work-based assessments. You will demonstrate proof of competence through your own work whilst on the programme. Methods of assessment used are assignments, case studies, observations, witness testimonies, reflective accounts and some work products.
You will produce a portfolio of evidence. Assessment and verification will be undertaken by the college. This will be carried out by qualified lecturers, assessors and internal verifier.
As part of the apprenticeship framework, reviews are completed every 12 weeks by the assessor where progress is discussed by the apprentice, assessor and employer.
Start Date
Throughout the year
Duration
18 months
Children, Young People & Families Practitioners, Level 4
Course Overview
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 for caring for and about children, young people and families. You will be skilled in recognising and assessing the complex needs 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 a 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, your practice's high quality will make a real difference to those you work with.
Entry Requirements
Have up-to-date evidence of the result of the Disclosure and Barring Service process. Working in a position of responsibility within the Children, Young People & Families sector.
Topics Covered
You will study the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare qualification, which has been designed to align with the standard. The mandatory units cover core competencies, while the optional units allow learners to choose from various specialist areas to tailor the qualification to their needs, interests and to reflect the context of their work.
Delivery
You will attend College approximately one day per fortnight and receive visits from the lecturer throughout your employment.
Assessment
Regular performance management/mentoring is overseen by the Apprentices line manager to ensure consistent competence. You will develop a portfolio that will inform the end-point assessment process; this will include evidence such as assessments, action plans, case notes, supervision records, reports or records produced as part of the implementation of work activity, reviews of cases and evidence of issues and resolution in the implementation of action plans, evidence of the values and behaviours you have displayed. A minimum of three observations of practice and evidence of continuing professional development undertaken during the apprenticeship period.
You will complete the mandatory qualification:
Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare
End Point Assessment includes:
- Observation of practice by an independent assessor in apprentice’s own workplace setting
- Competence interview with an independent assessor
Start Date
Throughout the year
Duration
18 to 24 months
