L2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship
95% Government Funded + £250 Employer Contribution
4.9
Apprenticeship Overview
Blended learning
Assessment Organisation
Duration 8 - 15 months
What Will You Learn:
Health, Safety & Wellbeing of Children
Learn about the legislation and guidance which governs Early Years. Plan and implement physical care plans & promote healthy lifestyles.
Communication with Children
Promoting positive behaviour, enabling play environments, support developing speech, language & communication, numeracy and literacy development.
Supporting Activities and Purposeful Play
Learning the skills to support and implement the statutory framework for babies and young children to create a stimulating play environment.
Role of the Practitioner
Learn to become a reflective practitioner, understanding your role and the importance of reflective practice.
Safeguarding in a Childcare setting
Developing an awareness to work within legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding within the Early Year setting.
Supporting Children with Additional Needs
Learn how to identify additional needs and the role of early intervention for supporting children with additional support needs.
Understanding Child Development
Identify relevant theory and philosophical approaches, support children's communication, holistic development and ensuring the EYFS requirements are met.
Working in Partnership
Learning the principles of how to work in partnership with others in relation to current frameworks.
Entry Requirements
- Working in an Early Years setting to be able to meet work experience requirements for the ages of 0-5 years
- Have lived in the UK or EEA/EU for the last 3+ years (with a valid form of ID).
- 16 years of age and over and not receiving other government funding (e.g. for college or university).
- There are no specific entry requirements however learners should have a minimum of level two in literacy and numeracy or equivalent.
- There is not a requirement for learners to have GCSE grades A*–C in English prior to commencing this qualification however learners should be aware that this is an EYFS requirement to attain EYP status.
How You Will Study
Online Learning
Ongoing Support
Off-the-job training
Apprenticeship Assessment
During your apprenticeship, you’ll use our e-Portfolio system, Bud. This personalised platform provides easy access to your assessment plans and supports an enjoyable, interactive learning experience.
We have included a wide range of engaging resources, including videos, case studies, quizzes, and interactive tools, designed to keep you motivated and track progress every step of the way.
As an apprentice, you’ll be supported by a dedicated Development Coach who will guide you throughout your learning journey. They’ll deliver monthly teaching sessions both online and through in-person visits to your nursery.
You’ll also have regular progress reviews with your Development Coach and employer to set goals, track your development, and ensure you’re progressing in your role and personal growth.
Your Development Coach will set and assess your work, provide personalised feedback, and help you prepare for your Apprenticeship Assessment.
Off-the-job training is a government requirement and must take place during your normal paid working hours. It’s an essential part of your apprenticeship, designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for your role and further career progression.
This training includes a wide range of planned learning activities, such as online teaching sessions, in-house training, workplace assessments, supervisions, work-based tasks, and projects. The idea is to gain new experiences and develop professionally beyond your day-to-day duties.
The Apprenticeship Assessment is the final stage of your apprenticeship. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate everything you’ve learnt. It’s a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours you’ve developed throughout your apprenticeship.
The Assessment includes:
- An observation of practice with a Q&A session
- A professional discussion with an Independent Assessor
- Case study report and presentation
You’ll be fully supported and well-prepared for this stage, including mock assessments to help you feel ready for success.
Apprenticeship Funding
- The government will pay 95% of the apprenticeship
- The remaining of the apprenticeship 5% (£250) is to be paid by the employer
Meet Our Development Coaches
What Our Students Say
Highly Recommend!!!
The Montessori apprentice academy has been amazing through my whole apprenticeship experience gaining my level 2 diploma. My tutor and other staff members that I have been in contact with have been super supportive and helpful from start to finish.
Lilly
Completed our apprenticeship in May 2025
Very happy and satisfied.
I am very happy that I have been chosen for this academy for my Early Years education and learned a lot from here.
Daxaben
Currently completing our apprenticeship
They are the best!
Great training company. We train all of our staff here. Highly recommend the Montessori Teacher Training. The trainers/ tutors are excellent.
Montessori Minds
Early Years Setting
Frequently Asked Questions
To enrol in the apprenticeship, you must already be working in an Early Years setting. The employer will contact us and complete a few forms to have everything in place, ready to take on an apprentice!
Once the employer has completed this, we will send a self-registration link to the learner, where they add all their details to our E-portfolio. After this we will arrange an onboarding meeting with the employer, learner and ourselves, where we confirm all the details are correct and everyone understands the requirements & expectations.
Our Early Years apprenticeships can be started at any time.
Yes, there a few requirements to keep in mind:
- Working in an Early Years setting to be able to meet work experience requirements for the ages of 0-5 years
- Have lived in the UK or EEA/EU for the last 3+ years (With a valid form of ID)
- 16 years of age and over and not receiving other government funding (e.g. for college or university).
- There are no specific entry requirements however learners should have a minimum of level one in literacy and numeracy or equivalent.
- There is not a requirement for learners to have GCSE grades A*–C in English prior to commencing this qualification however learners should be aware that this is required to attain Early Years Practitioner status.
If you don’t meet the requirements you may be eligible to enrol into our privately funded course instead.
Our students and apprentices have gone on to do amazing things! Qualification and experience in childcare can lead to so many different things. Roles they have progressed into include:
- Nursery Practitioner
- Room Assistant
- Childminding Assistant
- Nanny or Early Years Worker
- Nursery Nurse
If you are aged 16 – 18 years old and do not have GCSE English & Maths grade C/4 or Functional Skills equivalent, it is a government requirement to study L2 Functional Skills English & Maths, we will support you alongside the apprenticeship to achieve your functional skills English & Maths.
If you are 19+ years old and don’t have GCSE English & Maths grade C/4 or Functional Skills equivalent, you will have the opportunity to study Functional Skills English & Maths, but is not an apprenticeship requirement.
However, as English is a requirement by the EYFS to be fully qualified, we recommend you study English as part of your programme.
The standard time the L2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship takes is between 8 – 15 months, this fluctuates based on when you enter gateway to completion.
You can enter gateway to completion at 3 months.
The apprenticeship works in tandem with your everyday job. The employer has a responsibility to provide sufficient off-the-job hours, where you can take time to develop skills outside of your job role. There will be an expectation of outside learning in your personal time as this is a L2 which is equivalent to GCSEs.
Off-the-job training is a government requirement and must take place during your normal paid working hours. It’s an essential part of your apprenticeship, designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for your role and further career progression.
This training includes a wide range of planned learning activities, such as online teaching sessions, in-house training, workplace assessments, supervisions, work-based tasks, and projects. The idea is to gain new experiences and develop professionally beyond your day-to-day duties
Understand the Benefits of Apprenticeships for Your Setting
Our guide tells you how apprenticeships boost staff morale, support your Ofsted preparation, and tap into government funding, while building a more motivated team.
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