This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) is in place. Once an EPAO is in place, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
To be responsible for the learning, physical, emotional, social and intellectual development, and care of young children from birth to 5 years.
This occupation is found in all settings with an early years provision. This includes school-based provision, group-based provision, and registered childminders. Private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) settings make up a significant portion of the sector. Early years teachers hold early years teacher status (EYTS). This allows them to work as lead teachers within the PVI settings, childminders, and within some academy’s early years settings. Early years teachers with EYTS cannot work as lead teachers within maintained schools as these settings require qualified teacher status (QTS).
The broad purpose of the occupation is to be responsible for the learning, physical, emotional, social and intellectual and development, and care of young children from birth to 5 years within the setting, and to have an awareness of progression for children from 5-7 years. Early years teachers will plan and facilitate learning through a range of approaches including play, modelling, and direct teaching. They observe, assess, and evaluate the learning experiences of children to inform planning and establish an environment that is motivating and challenging for all children. An early years teacher will adapt education and care to respond to the strengths and needs of all children.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with children, parents, families, and carers. They work with colleagues and other professionals to support all children’s learning and development. Early years teachers will interact and work collaboratively with external agencies, early help services, health workers, and children's services.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children within the setting. Early years teachers must ensure that they lead practice and follow relevant statutory frameworks in the provision they provide, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage. They must ensure that children’s health is promoted and protected. They will typically report to a line manager within the setting and may have responsibility for other members of staff themselves.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 33 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the early years teacher (eyts), the qualification required is:
a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) that fully aligns to the KSBs and QAA benchmark statement for Early Childhood Studies degrees and leads to the award of Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)
Presentation with questions
You will produce and deliver a presentation to an independent assessor. You must submit your presentation slides and any supporting materials to the EPAO by the end of week 2 of the EPA period. The presentation and questions will last at least 65 minutes. The independent assessor will ask you at least 8 questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 12 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This apprenticeship aligns with Department for Education for Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Training providers must have passed accreditation against DfE's ITT criteria, including the new quality requirements (criteria for delivering ITT courses from September 2024)
Please contact the professional body for more details.
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