Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

The level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship is open to anyone employed in an early years setting as an apprentice. ​

Eligibility Criteria

To access government funding for this apprenticeship, applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria.

Before an apprenticeship place can be confirmed, it must be agreed between the Training Provider and the Employer that the apprenticeship is the most appropriate and beneficial training route for the applicant.

As part of this process, the applicant will be required to complete an Initial Assessment, which will evaluate their existing knowledge, experience, and prior learning. This assessment helps ensure that the apprenticeship is a suitable match and that the correct level of support can be provided.

The Initial Assessment must be completed as soon as possible to avoid delays in the enrolment process.

 

Occupation Summary

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide high quality early education and care to children.  An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring a safe and secure environment for children’s learning.  They ensure that the learning environment and provision is inclusive and supports all children, and demonstrate a clear understand of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Early years educators teach and facilitate children’s learning play.  They apply the observation, assessment, and planning cycle to support progress and children’s development.  An Early Years Educator will act as the key person for one or more children within their setting. They may play a leadership role within the setting or may act under the supervision of a manager.

This occupation is found in a range of maintained and private, voluntary, and independent settings such as 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 provision.

 

Apprenticeship Components

  • Apprenticeship Standard – Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSB’s).
  • Level 1/2 Functional Skills in English
  • Level 1/2 Functional Skills in Maths
  • 20% Off the Job Training – 6+ hrs per week
  • End Point Assessment (EPA) – Observation at work with Q&A, Professional Discussion underpinned by portfolio

 

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

Apprentices are required to work towards the KSB’s throughout their Apprenticeship qualification, they must undertake learning, complete work, and demonstrate competency in the KSB’s, in their final stage.

 

End Point Assessment

The EPA comprised of:

  1. Observation (50 mins) – The apprentice completes their day-to-day duties under normal working conditions. Simulation is not allowed. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
  2. Questions (30 mins) at placement in person – The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
  3. The Professional Discussion is done remotely – In the professional discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

 

Functional Skills Maths & English Level 2

For new starts since 11th of February 2025:

If English and/or maths is included, apprentices must attempt the exams, but achievement is not required before taking the End-Point Assessment (EPA).

Aged 16–18 at start: No changes — the existing rules remain in place. Maths & English Level 2 remains mandatory.

Aged 19+ at start: As part of the initial assessment, providers must discuss and agree with the apprentice and employer whether English and maths will be included in the apprenticeship. This decision must be documented in the training plan.

What is Off the Job Training?

  • Whilst on programme an Apprentice  must spend a minimum of 20% of their working day conducting ‘Off the Job Training’ towards their qualification. This equates to a minimum of 6 hours per week.
  • This could include; lectures, role-playing, simulation exercises, online learning, manufacturer training, practical training such as; mentoring, shadowing, industry visits and attendance at shows/conferences/competitions.
  • This could also include time spent writing assignments/assessments.
  • This does not include; English, Maths, progress reviews, on programme assessment, or training which takes place outside the apprentice’s paid working hours.

For more information, please get in touch!