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Direct Services to Schools

Early Years Practitioner Level 2
The Professional Role

The Early Years Practitioner’s (EYP) role includes working and interacting with babies and young children on a day to day basis in the early years foundation stage. The aim of this qualification is to provide apprentices with the knowledge and understanding of babies and young children from birth to 7 years of age with applied knowledge in the early years 0-5 years. They will be supporting the planning and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes within the ethos of the early years setting. An EYP works as part of a team to ensure the care and welfare under the guidance of an Early Years Educator, teacher or other suitably trained staff.

In the Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship, you can work within a range of early years settings
including full day care, children’s centres, preschools, reception classes and in a home setting as
Childminders.

The Learning Journey

The length of the course is typically 13 months plus the End Point Assessment.

On Programme Learning

The course is delivered as day release, using a blended learning model including formal workshops, tutorials and independent study. Some of this training may be delivered virtually using video calling. Through a series of assignments, observation and reflection you will work towards competency in all of the knowledge, skills and behaviours, a sample of which can be seen in the knowledge, skills and behaviours table.

  • You will need to be based in an early years setting to be able to complete this
    qualification, working with babies and young children from birth to 5 years old.
Additional Requirements

In addition to the above, you will need to achieve a level 1 Functional Skills qualification in English and maths if you do not already hold these at GCSE or equivalent. 

In addition, those without a level 2 qualification will need to sit (but do not have to pass) these before Gateway.

Knowledge Skills Behaviours
  • Baby & child development 0-5 years
  • Development of speech and language, communication, play, social, brain development and literacy and numeracy 
  • Significance of attachment
  • Legal requirements
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Safeguarding, policies and procedures
  • Supporting transitions including moving to school, arrival of siblings etc.
  • Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them 
  • Implement and review activities to support children's' play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities
  • Care and compassion 
  • Being team focussed honest, trust and integrity
  • Commitment to improving outcomes 
  • Work in a non-discriminatory way that supports all children to have equal access to opportunities to learn, develop and reach their potential 
  • Professional practice, be a reflective practitioner with a commitment to continued professional development
Progression

This qualification can support learners to go on to study the Early Years Educator Level 3 Diploma and to progress in this field.

End Point Assessment

Once you have met all of the criteria to pass Gateway, the EPA will consist of:

  • Professional discussion underpinned by your portfolio
  • Knowledge test