The programme runs for either 16 months (standard route) or 8 months (fast track) on-programme, followed by a 3-month End-Point Assessment period.

Fast Track is subject to prior learning, experience and employer agreement in line with apprenticeship funding rules.

Early Years Educators are highly trained professionals who play an important role in supporting children's learning, development, health, wellbeing and readiness for future learning. They may work across nurseries, pre-schools, reception classes, children's centres, home-based provision and other early years environments. Their responsibilities may include:

• Providing high-quality early education and care
• Supporting children's holistic learning and development
• Planning and delivering purposeful learning experiences
• Implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum
• Creating stimulating and enabling indoor and outdoor environments
• Observing and assessing children's learning and development
• Acting as a key person for individual children
• Supporting communication and language, early literacy and mathematics
• Supporting healthy lifestyles and children's wellbeing
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Working in partnership with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals
• Maintaining accurate records and reflecting on professional practice

Typical job roles include Early Years Educator, Nursery Nurse, Nursery Educator and Childminder Assistant.

The EPA is conducted by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation and typically includes:

• Observation with questioning
• Professional Discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

The apprentice must successfully pass the EPA to achieve the full apprenticeship standard.

Before entering End-Point Assessment, apprentices must:

• Achieve Level 2 English and Maths (if required in line with current apprenticeship funding rules)
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard
• Complete their on-programme portfolio
• Complete a first aid qualification: Paediatric First Aid or Emergency First Aid Training
• Complete a minimum of 370 off-the-job training hours
• Compile contextualised information to support the observation with questioning
• Be confirmed as occupationally competent by their employer

• Employment within a suitable early years setting
• A role involving regular direct work with babies and/or young children
• Opportunities to plan and deliver learning and development activities and apply the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Access to observation, assessment and planning activities
• Opportunities to undertake key-person responsibilities where appropriate
• Opportunities to work with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals
• Opportunities to support children with SEND and individual needs
• Sufficient workplace responsibility to develop and demonstrate the requirements of the apprenticeship standard
• Suitability to work with children in accordance with relevant statutory and setting requirements
• Motivation to develop as a professional Early Years Educator

Individual English and Maths requirements will be identified during the initial assessment and enrolment process. High Ridge Training will work with the apprentice and employer to ensure the individual's role provides sufficient opportunities to develop and demonstrate the occupational competence required by the standard.

Learners new to the sector may start with the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship.

Funding: Levy and non-levy employer funding available.

Find out how apprenticeship funding works for your organisation on our apprenticeships for employers page, or speak to our team.

Delivery Model: Remote delivery supported by practical workplace learning and development. The programme provides flexible access to structured tutor-led learning while apprentices develop and demonstrate their practical Early Years Educator skills within their workplace. Delivery includes:

• Live remote tutor-led training
• Structured off-the-job training
• Individual tutor support
• Workplace-based practical development
• EYFS curriculum and pedagogy development
• Safeguarding training and application
• Observation, assessment and planning activities
• SEND and inclusive-practice development
• Professional discussions, reflective practice and workplace observations
• Portfolio development and End-Point Assessment preparation

The programme incorporates 370 planned off-the-job training hours, structured around the apprentice's occupational development and individual training needs. Employers must provide protected time during working hours for required apprenticeship training and suitable workplace opportunities for apprentices to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the standard.

Apprentices develop an understanding of:

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• Statutory guidance and the SEND Code of Practice
• The graduated approach to identifying and supporting individual needs
• The role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
• Working with parents, carers and external professionals
• Adapting activities, resources and environments
• Removing barriers to children's participation and learning
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Practitioners looking to build further specialist knowledge can also explore our NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Autism.

Health, wellbeing and safe practice: apprentices learn how to:

• Promote children's physical and emotional wellbeing
• Support healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity
• Support children's personal care and hygiene
• Apply infection-prevention and control procedures
• Identify and manage risks and maintain safe indoor and outdoor environments
• Respond appropriately to accidents and emergencies

Working with parents and professionals: apprentices develop the ability to:

• Build effective relationships with parents and carers
• Recognise parents and carers as partners in children's learning
• Support positive home-learning environments
• Work effectively as part of an early years team
• Work with the SENCO and other professionals
• Contribute to multi-agency working where appropriate
• Respect different family, social and cultural contexts

Apprentices develop the professional behaviours expected of an Early Years Educator, including:

• Putting children at the centre of professional practice
• Acting with care, compassion and integrity
• Being trustworthy and maintaining confidentiality
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
• Working collaboratively and communicating effectively
• Being reflective and responsive to feedback
• Taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development
• Acting in the best interests of babies and young children

Successful completion provides a strong foundation for continued professional development and progression within the early years and childcare sector. Career and training opportunities may include:

• Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship
• Early Years Educator
• Nursery Practitioner
• Senior Nursery Practitioner
• Pre-School Practitioner
• Early Years Key Person
• Early Years Teaching Assistant
• Childminder

With further occupational experience and professional development, progression opportunities may include:

• Room Leader
• Senior Early Years Educator
• Early Years SENCO
• Deputy Nursery Manager
• Nursery Manager
• Early Years Lead Practitioner
• Early Years Trainer or Assessor

The apprenticeship can also provide a foundation for progression to higher-level early years, education, leadership and management programmes and, subject to individual entry requirements, further or higher education.

• Develop Level 3 Early Years Educator competence within a real working environment
• Benefit from flexible remote training alongside practical workplace development
• Develop a strong understanding of child development, curriculum and pedagogy
• Build confidence planning and delivering high-quality early learning experiences
• Strengthen observation, assessment and planning skills
• Develop advanced safeguarding and child-protection knowledge
• Build confidence supporting children with SEND and individual needs
• Access Early Years Alliance Student Membership
• Gain additional Prevent Duty CPD
• Build a strong foundation for progression into senior early years, SEND and leadership roles

Explore our early years and childcare apprenticeships or read more about apprenticeships for employers.

Professional Membership: Early Years Alliance Student Membership

Apprentices are supported to access Student Membership with the Early Years Alliance, a leading early years membership organisation supporting professionals, providers and learners across the sector. Membership benefits can include:

• Access to the Alliance's Under 5 membership magazine
• Early years sector news and information
• Access to member-only Connect Sessions
• Information relating to the EYFS and regulatory developments
• Discounts on selected publications, resources and training opportunities
• Access to the Early Years Alliance annual conference

Accredited CPD: Prevent Duty

Apprentices also complete accredited Prevent Duty training as part of their wider professional development. The Prevent Duty forms part of the wider safeguarding responsibilities of early years professionals. The training supports apprentices to:

• Understand the purpose of the Prevent Duty
• Recognise Prevent as part of wider safeguarding practice
• Develop awareness of vulnerability to radicalisation
• Recognise potential indicators of concern
• Understand how concerns should be reported and escalated
• Understand the importance of professional curiosity
• Understand how early years practice can support children's resilience, respect and positive relationships

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners. Apprentices receive ongoing pastoral, academic and professional support throughout their programme.

The full Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard (ST0135) is published on Skills England, and the EYFS statutory framework is available on GOV.UK. You can also contact our team for advice on eligibility, funding and start dates.