Advanced Apprenticeship in Early Years Workforce Level 3
Summary:
This framework is to develop knowledge and skills relating to the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator). At Level
3 (Advanced Apprenticeship), the qualification confirms competence in this area and serves as the required qualification
(for all new practitioners) for registration and regulatory requirements in the early learning and childcare sector.
Course Content:
For the full Apprenticeship, learners will complete: CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years
Educator) (QCF), Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR), Functional Skills in Information and Communications
Technology.
CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) (QCF)
Learners must achieve 61 credits to achieve the Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
(QCF). To do this they must complete the 23 mandatory units from four different themes as detailed below.
Theme 1: Health and Well-being.
 Support healthy lifestyles for children through the provision of food and nutrition (2)
 Promote healthy lifestyles for children through exercise (1)
 Support physical care routines for children (2)
 Promotes children’s emotional well-being (2)
 Understand how to support children who are unwell (2)
Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
 Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding, protection and welfare of children (3)
 Use legislation relating to the health and safety (2)
 Follow legislation relating to equality, diversity and inclusive practice (3)
 Working in partnership (2)
Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness
 Understand the value of play in early years (2)
 Plan, lead and review play opportunities which support children’s learning and development (3)
 Promote enabling play environments (2)
 Developing children’s emergent literacy skills (3)
 Developing children’s emergent mathematical skills (4)
 Support children’s transition to school (2)
 Develop children’s cognitive skills (2)
 Promote children’s speech, language and communication (3)
 Promoting children’s physical development (2)
 Promoting children’s personal, social and emotional development (3)
 Support children with additional needs (3)
 Use observation, assessment and planning to promote the development of children (5)
 Use longitudinal studies to observe, assess and plan for children’s needs (5)
Theme 4: Professional development
 Engage in professional development (2)
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Course Duration:
The typical length of this work based learning programme is between 18 - 24 months.
Entry Requirements:
Entry is subject to a pre-enrolment interview to ascertain suitability for the programme and that potential candidates take
into account the Principles and Values essential for working with children and young people.
As the level of this pathway (L3) determines that the apprentice should be working at a level where they may either be
working on their own or supervising others, the apprentice should have prior experience of the sector and be employed in
a position whereby they would be able to demonstrate the competencies required at this level.
Candidates should also:
 have achieved a minimum of Grade C GCSE in English Language and Mathematics.
 show enthusiasm to work with children and young people and be working for a minimum of 30 hours per week
and a maximum of 48 hours – this is inclusive of any study days at college..
 have a suitable level of physical fitness to perform some aspects of the job roles.
 be willing to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check.
Placement Hours
It is suggested that the following placement allocation is applied. We acknowledge that some learners may need to spend
longer in specific age ranges and for this reason there is a degree of flexibility. All assessment criteria must be achieved
and each age range must be experienced. Significant placement experience across the age ranges must be undertaken
in order to achieve the assessment.
0 – 1 year 11 months
2 – 2 years 11 months
3 – 5 years
25 hours
133 hours
192 hours
Learners who work within a setting which provides care and education for children across these three age ranges, and
are able to gain the necessary hours of experience, need not seek placement outside of their setting.
For those learners who work in settings where these age ranges are not covered, then they will be required to seek
additional work placements, this will need the full support of their setting and employers .
Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)
You will learn about your rights and responsibilities as an employee and those of the employer with guidance from your
work based assessor.
Functional Skills - ICT:
Qualifications required for exemption from ICT Functional Skills are ICT GCSE grade C or above or ICT Functional Skills
Level 2. If apprentices are not exempt then they will need to complete the Level 2 Functional skills in ICT which will be
studied in addition to the Master Classes at City College Norwich.
English and Maths:
English and Maths are a vital part of any Apprenticeship, providing the essential skills, knowledge, problem solving
abilities and understanding needed to operate confidently and effectively in everyday life and work. As such,
Apprentices continue to develop these skills and qualifications in English, Maths and ICT throughout their
Apprenticeship.
Our specialist staff provide flexible and creative learning opportunities, encouraging apprentices to continue developing
English and Maths skills throughout their Apprenticeship. Formal qualifications are supported by either Functional Skills
or GCSE. Assessment is flexible and we can offer paper-based assessments, on-line assessments, or a mixture of the
two.
For those who have already gained the appropriate qualifications, English and Maths will continue to be developed in
their vocational subject, making sure that they are capable of the English and Maths required in their job role.
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You can find out more about Maths and English for Apprentices at City College Norwich here:
https://ccn.ac.uk/employer-partnership-newsletter/testing-times
Pay and Holidays:
Apprentices must be paid for their normal working hours which includes those hours for the training that is part of the
apprenticeship delivered at City College Norwich. Apprentices are entitled to a minimum of 20 days paid holiday per year
plus bank holidays. Further information on pay and holidays for apprentices can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide/pay-and-holidays
Career Progression:
Career or academic progression may include continuation, development or promotion at work or within this sector and
progression into higher education.
Costs:
Training on the Apprenticeships programme is currently funded for apprentices aged 16 - 18 years at the time of
enrolment. An employer contribution is required for those aged either 19+ or who have a level 4 or higher qualification.
For more information on recruiting an apprentice or if you would like to train your existing staff please contact our
Employer Partnerships Team on Freephone: 0800 328 3616 or Email: [email protected]
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