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Early Years Educator (ST0135)

Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders, are highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre schools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Course summary

An Early Years Educator:

  • Plans and supervises child initiated and adult led activities which are based around the needs and interests of each individual child
  • Supports children to develop numeracy and language skills through games and play
  • Has key person responsibility to help ensure each child feels safe and secure
  • Observes each child and shapes their learning experience to reflect their observations
  • Meets the care needs of the individual child such as feeding, changing nappies and administration of medicine
  • Works in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child

With additional experience, an Early Years Educator can become the manager of an early years setting. Individuals will undergo all the checks as per the EYFS requirements to ensure suitability to work with children.

Behaviours:

These are the behaviours expected of all Early Years Educators carrying out their role:

  • Care and compassion –  provide the very best childcare to every child every day combined with the ability to professionally challenge poor practice
  • Being team-focused – work effectively with colleagues and other professionals and support the learning and development of others through mentoring and sharing of professional expertise and experience.
  • Honesty, trust and integrity – develop trust by working in a confidential, ethical and empathetic manner with a common sense and professional attitude.
  • Commitment to improving the outcomes for children through inspiration and child centred care and education
  • Work in a non-discriminatory way, by being aware of differences and ensuring all children have equal access to opportunities to learn, develop and reach their potential.
  • Working practice take into account fundamental British values including democracy, the rule of the law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Why choose Leicestershire County Council as your provider?

Leicestershire County Council is an established main provider of apprenticeships, we offer a range of Apprenticeship  Standards to employers including Education, Care, Management and Business.

  • From our base in Leicestershire we offer flexible delivery methods including face to face at the workplace, utilising communication technology and via our learning centres across the county.
  • We work collaboratively with each employer and new apprentice to develop an individual learning plan that fits around business need.
  • Our experienced Trainer Assessors deliver taught sessions and complete regular review session with each apprentice to support the learning journey and keep employers fully involved and informed.
  • Our learning materials are available at all times within our dedicated online learning platform, enabling additional self-study, revision and portfolio building throughout the programme.
  • Our Trainer Assessors are back up by administrators, coordinators and managers who are also here to support employers with all aspects of the programmes we offer.

Key information about the standard:

  • Level: Level 3
  • Typical duration to gateway: 18 months
  • Maximum funding: £6000
  • Route: Education and early years
  • Date updated: 07/03/2022
  • EQA provider: Ofqual

Full details of the specification can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships website.