On the last post we were looking at the role of the employer in choosing the End Point Assessment Organisation to End Point Assess their apprentices. As we have posed some of those questions, we thought it would be a good idea to follow up how we would answer those suggestions:
- Do you feel confident in their understanding of your sector?
- SS Educational Services is the only EPAO specialising solely in the early years, children and young people sector. We have a strong management team of people who know apprenticeships and governance, and our directors have 50 years’ experience in the early years, children and young people sector.
- Do you get a good sense of feeling towards the company?
- Well, we can’t answer this one without being completely biased. But, why not come along to the Nursery World Show next month and meet us, have a chat, and find out we are as friendly and approachable as we say we are.
- Do their systems sound user friendly?
- We have an easy registration to certification system, which we will walk you through when you sign up with us. If we can use it, we are confident you will be able to too.
- Is communication good? Can you get hold of them easily? Do they reply promptly?
- We reply to all our emails and telephones queries within 2 working days, and usually on the same day. As a small End Point Assessment Organisation, the team knows all our clients, and you can be assured you don’t need to repeat your information every time you contact us.
- Do they offer a swift EPA?
- In a nutshell, yes! For example, the EPA for the Early Years Educator Level 3 should take place within 3 months. Our schedule is Gateway, Week 1; Knowledge Test Week 2; Professional Discussion Week 3; and then Moderation Week 4. At this point we share the results. Not only does the apprentice get their result within 4 weeks, but it gives the apprentice, employer and training provider 2 months to resit or retake if they had been unsuccessful.
- Do you feel they know who you are?
- As mentioned before, as a small team, you will get to know every member of the team.
- Are their charges competitive?
- Being a small EPAO we are able to keep our overheads low, and are able to pass substantial saving onto our clients.
We hope that you have found our responses to the questions we set informative.
If you would like to know more, or book a meeting where we can explain our EPAO in more detail, then please drop us a line at contact@sseducationalservices.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you.
