This programme equips individuals in job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders with the skills to become highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well in a healthy and safe environment. Early Years Educators work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, preschools, 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 five years old. Entry requirements Employers will set their own entry requirements in order to start this apprenticeship, but typically requires five GCSEs at Grade 4 or higher. Course duration 14 months Progression With additional experience, an Early Years Educator can become the manager of an Early Years setting. Qualifications Apprentices must also successfully complete the Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) to meet the EYFS requirements. Cost/funding Levy Payers £7,000 Non Levy Payers £420 Functional skills To complete the apprenticeship, the apprentice must pass level 2 English and maths (or have the appropriate exemption certificate) before undertaking their end-point assessment. End-point assessment The end-point assessment (EPA) includes: Observation with questioning Professional discussion with portfolio of evidence Professional support Connect2Care (C2C) assigns a designated Vocational Trainer to each apprentice. Alongside the apprentice they will agree on a personal learning and development plan, setting a timetable of learning activities in preparation for the end-point assessment (EPA). The C2C Vocational Trainer will meet with the apprentice regularly either online or face-to-face to complete and review assessments, provide further coaching where required and agree the next steps of learning.