Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Early Years Educator for Adults

Course Code: P265556

Key Information

  • Course type

    Apprenticeships

  • Campus:

    Highbury Campus

  • Start Date:

    September 2025

  • Duration:

    Flexible

  • Attendance:

    One day a week

  • Fees:

    Free

Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard

This course enhances your work in the early years environment, by enabling you to achieve a licence to practice in an early years setting. You will develop greater confidence of working practices, ensure policies and procedures are understood, provide a safe and secure environment, and understand child development.

The early years educator apprenticeship involves attendance once a week in College and you will observed within your workplace. Off the job hours and completion of assignments are also an essential requirement of the course. 

Maths and English GCSEs at grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills Level 2.

If necessary, one of these can be studied at College alongside your apprenticeship.

The majority of work will be completed in the workplace. You will be expected to attend College one morning or afternoon a week.  Additional attendance at College may be required to complete Functional Skills (if needed) and some parts of the knowledge units. Your assessor will liaise with you to set up mutually convenient times for consultation and assessment visits at your place of work.

You will spend time each week working towards your off-the-job learning, which can consist of College attendance, homework/coursework, project related work, employer training, mentoring, and coaching – plus a number of other tasks.

Apprentices build a portfolio of work and workplace assessors will be in regular contact to provide support, and to arrange on-site visits to observe the apprentices’ ability and skills in their daily role. It is important for the apprentice to take ownership of their own learning by seeking out opportunities to gain new skills on the job with the employer. The apprentice’s final grade will be determined by collective performance in the endpoint assessment.

You will learn through a mix of work-related activities and independent study and research. Assessment is on a continuous basis with a number of assessments in each module. Assessments take a variety of forms, such as written reports, witness statements, observations and professional discussions, These can be College based or distance learning.

School Leavers under the age of 19 do not have to pay fees on any full time courses, though may have to pay for their second year if turning 19 during their studies. If you’re aged 19 or over you might qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. It’s easy to apply for and you won’t have to pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000. If you are studying a part-time course and you receive one of the following benefits, or you depend financially on someone who does, you may be entitled to have your tuition fees waived: Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support. You will, however, have to pay any awarding body/assessment fees (unless you are on a first full level 2 course). * If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit or receive other allowances, you may be eligible to claim concessionary rates. If you are entitled to a fee concession you will be asked to provide proof of your entitlement. It is essential that you inform us if your entitlement changes at any time during your course.

As well as ensuring full competency as an early years practitioner, this standard provides a foundation for potential progression into higher level apprenticeships, foundation degrees, university programmes and employment.

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