This framework is to develop knowledge and skills relating to the Children and Young People’s Workforce, (early learning and childcare, children’s social care, learning development and support services). This framework is suitable for those looking to join the Children and Young People’s Workforce and those already working in the sector.
Within the intermediate level, the qualification is a generic qualification for the Children and Young People’s Workforce and confirms competence under supervision in these areas. This also serves as a progression pathway to the required qualification at level 3 and above for registration and regulatory requirements within the sector.
Within the advanced level, 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.
Intermediate apprentices may work in roles such as early years worker / assistant, care worker / assistant or assistant youth support & community worker.
Advanced apprentices may work in roles such as nursery worker / supervisor, child-minder, nursery nurse / nursery teaching assistant.
WHAT WILL I DO
Most apprentices will begin by working towards the intermediate apprenticeship, from which you will be able to progress to the advanced apprenticeship.
Each framework will include the main aim which will be either; Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce, (Intermediate Level) or Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce, (Advanced Level).
All of the frameworks will include functional skills in Maths, English and ICT, Employee Rights and Responsibilities and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills.
Functional Skills are practical skills in English, Mathematics and ICT that enables everyone to work confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work. A Functional Skill qualification in English @ Level 2 will show that you are competent in writing documents on complex subjects, making presentations, reading and summarising information as well as spelling, punctuation and grammar, in Mathematics @ Level 1 will show you can understand practical problems, select & apply maths in an organised way and use checking procedures, in ICT @ Level 1 or 2 will prove you can use ICT systems, find & select information, develop, present & communicate information. Functional Skills have been produced as a response to calls from employers for more people to have these skills and they therefore form an integral part of an apprenticeship framework. They are the key to success that will open doors to learning and work. Delivery of Functional Skills within the framework can happen in two ways: a) an apprentice attends day release, their functional skills will be delivered at college on that day. b) an apprentice does not attend college for their main qualification, they will need to attend college for a block week for each Functional Skill required for their framework. Dates of these block weeks will be discussed with the apprentice and their employer at sign up and they will be booked in advance.
It is estimated that the intermediate apprenticeship will take 12 months to complete with the advanced apprenticeships taking 20 months to complete. Within each framework there must be a minimum of 100 Guided Learning hours in each year of delivery completed “off the Job”. This could be at College on a day release basis or away from the apprentice’s work station within the employer premises, all within the contracted hours of employment.
Entry to the course will be considered in relation to the learner’s previous experience and knowledge. However for the intermediate level a minimum of 2 GCSEs at C grade and 2 GCSEs at grade D including English, Maths and science or equivalent is required. For the advanced level a minimum of four GCSEs at grade C or above in English, Maths and Science or equivalent qualifications are required or a distinction / high merit from a previous level 2 childcare course.
Learners considering this framework should have an interest in working with children and should be suitable to do so as it is a requirement to undergo an enhanced Criminal Records (CRB) check.
Apprentices have to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week including their College day; employment must be within a relevant environment. Employers must be willing to sign up to the training agreement and be prepared for an assessor to visit the workplace every 8 – 12 weeks for assessments and training reviews.
The intermediate pathway is intended to provide learners with a good starting point within the sector, working under supervision (e.g. pre-school assistant, nursery assistant), however it is expected that learners will progress onto the advanced apprenticeship pathway. This will ensure that, as practitioners, they meet the appropriate level of competency. Progression to the advanced apprenticeship will also enable them to move to higher level s of work or enable them to work unsupervised.
Successful completion of the advanced level provides the suitable level of occupational competence to meet regulatory and registration requirements for the sector. It will also enable the apprentices to access higher level jobs within the sector such as nursery supervisor, nursery manager, pre-school manager/co-ordinator. There is also an opportunity for apprentices to go on to further study at higher levels, particularly working towards foundation degrees in early years.
Apprenticeships are fully funded for 16 -18 year old and employers may be expected to pay an employer contribution for those 19 years or over.
For all apprentices within their first year of training the employer is required to pay the apprenticeship minimum wage of £2.50 per hour. Within the second and subsequent years of an apprenticeship programme the following applies:
16 – 18 year olds – the apprenticeship minimum wage
19+ - the required national minimum wage for the relevant age group.
If attendance at college is required it is expected that apprentices will attend to a high level as they are only attending one day per week where very intensive training takes place.
You can apply for this course by applying online, by filling out an application form from the College prospectus or by contacting the Information Officer on 01205 313218 for further information.
The Information on this Course Information Sheet is correct at time of print, but can be subject to change at anytime.
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