Early Years Educators Level 3

Overview

Early Years Educators 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.

What does an Early Years Educator do?

• Plans and supervises child-initiated and adult-led activities that are based on 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.

Job titles include:

• Practitioner in day nurseries
• Practitioner in nursery schools
• Practitioner in reception classes in primary schools
• Pre-school worker

Key Behaviours

• Care and compassion
• Being team focused
• Honesty, trust, and integrity
• Commitment
• Work in a non-discriminatory way
• Working practice takes into account fundamental British values

Your apprenticeship journey

• Months 1 & 2: Health and wellbeing of children
• Months 3 & 4: Legislation, framework and professional practice
• Months 5 & 6: Value of play, enabling play environment
• Months 7 & 8: Supporting literacy, mathematical skills, and transitions
• Months 9 & 10: Supporting cognitive, speech and language development
• Months 11 & 12: Supporting physical, personal, and social development
• Months 13 & 14: Supporting additional needs of children
• Months 15 & 16: Observation, Assessments, and identifying next steps on development
• Months 17 & 18: Gateway preparation and EPA