About this course
The Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship is for employee's whose role involves working directly with children, skilfully leading day to day practice.
This apprenticeship covers a variety of early years settings, including preschools, reception classes, nurseries and playgroups, home-based settings, hospitals and non-school environments.
The Early Years Educator apprenticeship will build your employee’s expertise to become a proactive and influential practitioner, working directly with children, skilfully leading day to day practice at an operational level. As an active practitioner they will become effective role models of play based learning, supporting others to develop their own practice.
They’ll learn to take an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care, adapting to individual needs providing inclusive and holistic provision. Lead practitioners will engage with sector developments both locally and nationally, with a commitment to developing their own professional and educational competencies.
Key areas studied include leadership and management, curriculum, health and well-being, health and safety, safeguarding and child development and theory.
This programme is suitable for people progressing in their early years career; with additional experience, they can become a manager in an early years setting.

Course details
- Entry requirements: Set by employer
- Duration: 24 months
- Course delivery: Blended – direct teaching and self-directed learning
Employers will determine their own entry requirements for an employee to commence this apprenticeship, but general entry requirements apply.
Not yet employed?
As an apprentice, you’ll gain a highly regarded qualification, valuable work experience and get paid!
Become an apprentice