Today we are finishing off looking at the Early Years standards with a look at Level 5. If you want to know more details about the contents of one of the standards, click on the link here to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Evaluation and search for the specific standard.
We also took a brief glance at the Gateway stage here, when we looked at the general requirements for the above standards. During the month of December, we are focusing on each individual standard, and detail how, as your End Point Assessment Organisation we deliver the Gateway and the End Point Assessment.
The Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 a role with more responsibility within Early Years settings. Positions can include Room Leader, Third-in-Charge, Deputy Manager and, depending on your previous experience, Manager. As well as day care, you may find employment Reception classes, hospitals, or as a community nursery nurse.
For the Gateway we supply all the necessary templates and use an easy-to-follow management information system. The requirements are very similar to the Gateway for Level 2 and 3 and the employer will need to evidence:
- Proof of Maths and English at Level 2. For those with an Education, Health and Care Plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for those who have BSL as their primary language.;
- Have been an apprentice for a minimum of 12 months;
- Confirmation that the apprentice is consistently working at, or above, Level 5;
- Evidence that the apprentice has engaged in 12-weekly reviews and 20% off-the-job training;
- A completed portfolio – which will be covered in detail in a separate blog post in the New Year;
- A statement from the apprentice confirming authenticity of ownership of the work; Proof that the apprentice has a level 2 qualification in early years;
- Confirmation from the employer that the apprentice has an Enhanced DBS
- The case study title and scope will be agreed between the apprentice, employer and EPAO
Not all of our requirements are listed as essential in the EPA plan, however, the Directors of SSES feel that we are supporting apprentices to work with some of the most vulnerable members of society and extras like a DBS confirmation are invaluable.
Once all the Gateway requirements have been uploaded and approved the apprentice will begin their journey through the EPA. The Early Years Lead Practitioner has 3 elements:
- The apprentice willhave a 90-minute observation and question. A session plan will be provided ahead of the observation;
- The apprentice will take part in a Professional Discussion with an Independent End Point Assessor. This will take60 minutes and the apprentice will be able to refer to their portfolio throughout; and
- A case study with report and presentation and questioning
SSES have explained each element in greater detail within their Step-by-Step Guide for this standard.
After the EPA the apprentice will be graded with a fail, pass, merit or distinction. We provide written feedback on the performance, which will either aid for a resit/retake or in future career development.
All the above is covered in much greater detail in our brochure and step-by-step guides for the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5. Please email contact@sseducationalservices.co.uk to request your copy.
