Early Years Educator
Standard Level 3

The Level 3 Diploma in Children’s learning and Development (Early Years Educator) apprenticeship is for people who work in or want to work with children in Early Years settings.

It gives learners the opportunity to:

• Demonstrate competence as an Early Years Educator, Child minder or Nursery Nurse
• Develop knowledge and skills related to the specified job roles in Early Years Education
• Have existing skills recognised
• Achieve a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification

This qualification has the following UCAS Points – P – 32

Ideally the apprentice would hold a level 2 childcare qualification or alternatively, a level of experience by working on their own or by supervising others.

Apprentices studying this course must have achieved a Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English and maths or a level 2 Functional Skills in both English and maths before undertaking the End Point Assessment..

You will be working towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours). The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) forms part of the Early Years Pathway of the Advanced Apprenticeship Standard for the Children and Young People’s workforce.
Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. (RQF) or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF)
English and Maths Level 2 (if not already achieved)
End point assessment by epaplus, this will comprise of two activities

• knowledge test
• portfolio-based professional discussion with an EPA external assessor

Learners must complete the level 3 Early Years Educator qualification achieving a total of 61 credits from all 23 mandatory units. They must also successfully pass the End Point Assessment, preparation and training for which is embedded in the learning plan.

This qualification is currently funded by the ESFA as part of an Apprenticeship programme.

In order to aid holistic delivery and assessment, we have structured the units around the following three themes:

• Theme 1: Health and well-being
• Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
• Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness
• Theme 4: Professional development

Please see the Unit List for details about which units are grouped under each of the themes (please see attachment).

Learners must achieve:

• 23 mandatory units
• Credit value: 61
• Total Guided Learning: 486 (hours)
• Total Qualified Time: 610 (hours)

To gain this qualification the learner will need to:

• Pass all units
• Complete longitudinal study
• Show competence in a real work environment

• 12-18 months practical period.
• EPA 3 months(Additional to the above)

Achievement of this apprenticeship qualification will enable learners to access higher level jobs within the sector, e.g. Nursery Team Leader, Advanced Childcare Practitioner or Management. It also provides an excellent platform from which to access the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Standard.