Duration
Typical duration to gateway - 12 months (this does not include EPA period).

Occupation Profile
This programme is for individuals who work and interact directly with children on a day to day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes within the ethos of the setting. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with parents, colleagues and wider multi agency professionals and partners such as health visitors, social workers and speech and language therapists.

Entry Requirements
Applicants must: Must be employed in an appropriate setting such as a nursery Achieve the required level of Maths and English as part of the apprenticeship if a recognised qualification is not already held Be employed and have the support of their employer to undertake the programme Individuals will undergo all checks as per the EYFS requirements to ensure suitability to work with children.

Commitment
6 hours a week (based on a 30 hour week) of a learner's contracted hours must be given to support the completion of the programme. Tutor led sessions are a mandatory part of the course along with any other learning activities set by the assessor or tutor. Maths and English may need to be undertaken in addition to the main qualification depending on previous attainment in these areas. It is likely that the learner will be required to undertake research, reading and write ups to support their learning. The programme requires 100% commitment from the learner & employer to ensure successful completion.

Delivery
Our blended approach means that our programmes are flexible and enable apprentices to experience a range of learning and support opportunities in a variety of formats such as online or at a local ACL centre. The apprentice will have a dedicated tutor who they will meet (online or face to face) once a month who will guide them through their apprenticeship and prepare them for their End Point Assessment. Additional workshops and seminars will be available to all learners to support additional learning and the off job learning requirement.

Benefit to Learner
1. Build professionalism and confidence in a working environment 2. Opportunity to develop communication and organisational skills 3. Gain specialist knowledge on social and educational development of children within the context of their work setting 4. Learners will receive a pass or distinction upon the successful completion

Benefit to Business
1. More productive and skilled staff with nationally recognised CACHE qualifications 2. Children receive support from qualified staff benefitting their learning and development 3. Skilled staff are familiar with current knowledge and teaching observation methods 4. Staff gain an understanding of the impact legislation has on how settings operate

End Point Assessment (EPA)
End Point Assessment (EPA) takes place at the end of the apprenticeship programme and is a comprehensive holistic assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours required as laid out in the apprenticeship standard. The Level 2 Early Years Practitioner EPA is made up of: Knowledge Test - Apprentices must take the test in a suitably controlled environment that is a quiet space, free of distractions and influence, in the presence of an invigilator. Competence interview underpinned by portfolio - The apprentice will submit the portfolio at least three weeks before the competence interview is due to be held. The portfolio will be reviewed by the assessor and will be the subject of the competence interview.

Progression
Job roles this could lead to: Nursery practitioner, Pre school assistant, Learning support, Teaching assistant, Creche assistant