An Early Years Practitioner can work in range of public and private settings including; children’s centres, full day care centres, pre-schools, reception classes, playgroups, nursery schools, hospitals and supporting home-based childcare provision. An Early Years Practitioner supports the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set out by the Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 in both indoor and outdoor environments.
The broad purpose of an Early Years Practitioner is to work and interact directly with children on a day-to-day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of daily learnings activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes suitable for the age of the children they are working with. An Early Years Practitioner will work as part of a professional team of childcare specialists, and will focus on ensuring the welfare and care of children. They will usually work with the guidance and supervision of an Early Years Educator, Teacher or other suitably qualified professionals in the Early Years Workforce.
The decision to take an apprentice through Gateway is made between the employer, training provider and apprentice, typically after 12 months on-programme.
The apprentice must have completed all on-programme elements before they enter Gateway, including:
EPA consists of two assessment methods: a knowledge test and a professional discussion, underpinned by the portfolio.