Apprentice Early Years Practitioner

To support the team to provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
  To support the team to provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant national and local standards.
  To learn how to follow Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and implement that learning in the workplace.
  To learn to observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to written reports of their progress and to implement that learning in the workplace.
  To maintain client confidentiality.
  To report any injury or accident ensuring that health and safety of the individual is maintained.
  To follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual).
  To refer parents and families for support where necessary.
  If necessary, to take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
  To support the team to provide educational visits for children and families, observing Health and Safety policies.
  To understand and support Leeds City Council and Departmental Policies including these on Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety.
  To undertake other duties commensurate to the post or grade as required by the Department.
  To undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with Council policies including the Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety policies.

Training:
Mode of delivery: Once a month day release in college.

Course content:

The Level 2 Apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with your workplace. You will attend college one day per month to gain knowledge and understanding of working in the early years sector. On-the-job training will help you develop practical skills, with support from a dedicated workplace mentor. Additionally, an Assessor from Leeds City College will visit regularly to guide and support you throughout your learning journey.

The Apprenticeship framework comprises of:

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner.

Functional Skills qualifications:

Level 1 Functional Skill in English. Level 1 Functional Skill in Maths.

End point assessment:

Multiple choice Exam. Professional discussion.

Training Outcome:

We have lots of opportunities for progression depending on the successful candidates’ abilities as they progress through their qualifications e.g. 

Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3. Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship Level 3.

Employer Description:
Leeds City Council's Little Owls Nurseries are a network of day care centres for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The nurseries are owned and run by the council and are committed to providing a high standard of care and education. The Local Authority has been operating childcare for more than 20 years and is highly committed to the apprenticeship programme. The entry-level position of Apprentice Childcare Assistant is designed to give applicants an opportunity to gain experience working in childcare while studying for a Level 2 qualification. At the end of the apprenticeship programme, ‘graduating apprentices’ will be guaranteed an interview for the post of Nursery Assistant, and it is expected that successful applicants will go on to work in settings across Leeds with potential opportunities for advancement to Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeships. Little Owls Nurseries serve local communities and are linked to children’s centres. For this reason, they are different from private and voluntary sector day care. Little Owls Nurseries provide services to a wider range of families, including working parents, children with special educational needs and disabilities, and some of the most vulnerable in Leeds due to their location, mostly in inner-city communities.

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday. Term time only and all year round posts are available dependent on centre. Start and End times: Early and late shifts form part of the normal working pattern (8am to 6pm working shift pattern, 7.5 hours per day).

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Problem solving skills,Presentation skills,Administrative skills,Number skills,Analytical skills,Team working,Initiative,Non judgemental,Patience,Physical fitness,Commitment,Trustworthy and reliable,Punctual and hardworking