As an The Early Years Practitioner, you will work and interact directly with
children on a day to day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of
activities. Typical job roles would include Nursery Assistant, Early Years
Practitioner, Nursery Practitioner, Nursery Nurse, Assistant Childminder, Nanny
and Early Years Worker.
This occupation is found in a range of private and public settings including;
full day care, children’s centres, pre-schools, reception classes, playgroups,
nursery schools, home based provision, hospitals, social care settings, out of
school environments and local authority provision to deliver the Early Years
Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by the government for the learning,
development and care of children from birth to five in both indoor and outdoor
environments.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to work and interact directly with
children on a day to day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of
activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes within the
ethos of the setting. You will work as part of a professional team ensuring the
welfare and care for children under the guidance and supervision of an Early
Years Educator, teacher or other suitably qualified professional the Early Years
Workforce.
In your daily work, in this occupation you will interact with parents,
children, colleagues and wider multi agency professionals and partners such as
health visitors, social workers and speech and language therapists.
You will be responsible for supporting child initiated and adult led
activities based around the needs and interests of each individual child,
supporting children’s learning through planned, purposeful play opportunities
and educational programmes and working as part of a team to ensure each child
feels safe and secure. You will also support the observation and assessment of
each child and contribute to their learning experiences and assist with the care
needs of the individual child such as teeth, skin, hair, feeding, changing
nappies and toileting under the direction of a more senior member of the team.
You will also work in partnerships with other colleagues, parents and/or
carers or other professionals, with support from a more senior member of the
team, to meet the individual needs of each child. You will also have a
responsibility for ensuring that they recognise when a child is in danger and/or
at risk of serious harm or abuse and contributing to the health and safety of
the children, staff and others on the premises.
It is really important for you to have a criminal records check called an
enhanced DBS check before you can go on your work placement.
So, you need to be aware that if you’ve received a caution, reprimand or
conviction it may mean we can’t enrol you on the course and you won’t be able to
get a job in the care and childcare sectors.
Off the Job Training
A key requirement of an Apprenticeship is Off-the-job training. This must
make up an average of six hours per week of your working hours, over the total
duration of your planned training period. Off-the-job training must be directly
relevant to the apprenticeship standard and must take place within your normal
working hours.
The new learning must be documented and reflected on through the Learner
Journal on your e-portfolio.