Early Years Apprenticeship Training Companies: How to Choose the Right Partner

Early Years Apprenticeship Training Companies: How to Choose the Right Partner

If you want to attract new talent, boost staff retention and build a skilled workforce, early years apprenticeship programmes could be the answer. The key is choosing the right training partner to help you get the best results.

There are many training companies out there offering early years apprenticeships, but not all of them are created equal. It’s essential that you do your homework and pick the right partner to help you develop your people.

In this article, we take a closer look at early years apprenticeship programmes, how they are funded and what to look for in a training partner.

Why Early Years Apprenticeships Are Vital for your Organisation

The early years sector has many hurdles to overcome. From skill and staff shortages to rising costs, organisations must take the appropriate steps to help ensure value from their training programmes. Whether you run a nursery, school or early years setting, apprenticeships can help you:

●       Attract new and skilled talent

●       Develop your team’s knowledge

●       Build a skilled and qualified workforce

What makes early years apprenticeships different to other types of training is that they’re hands-on and enable you to train your staff in their actual working environment rather than a simulated one. This helps learners stay engaged and get better results.

Overview of Early Years Apprenticeship Programmes

Depending on the role and experience of the learner, there are several apprenticeship pathways to consider. These include Early Years Practitioner, Early Years Educators Apprenticeship and Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship:

●       Early Years Practitioner: This is an entry-level qualification that’s ideal for those just beginning their career in early years.

●       Early Years Educators Apprenticeship: A more advanced programme that’s suited to those wanting to develop their knowledge and skills further.

●       Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship: For higher-level employees, this programme focuses on leadership and management in the early years sector.

Each type of early years apprenticeship offers staff development in the early years sector and blends practical training with essential knowledge to give learners the skills they need to thrive. For employers, apprenticeships are an incredible way to nurture talent and build long-term loyalty.

What to Look for in an Early Years Apprenticeship Training Company

When it comes to finding the right early years apprenticeship training partner, there are a few key things to consider. You want to find a training provider that:

●       Understands your goals and challenges

●       Can offer flexible training in your early years setting

●       Offers experienced trainers who have a deep understanding of the sector

●       Supports the learner and the employer throughout the journey

It’s also important to look for a provider that specialises in childcare workforce development to ensure they align with your training needs.

How Early Years Apprenticeships Are Funded

To make staff development in the early years sector more accessible, government-funded early years apprenticeships help you significantly reduce your training costs. There are different options available depending on the size of your business and if you’re a levy-paying employer, such as:

Large businesses: if your payroll is more than £3 million per annum, you’ll pay the apprenticeship levy. This is charged at 0.5% of your annual bill over the £3 million threshold. You can use these funds to cover 100% of your apprenticeship training costs.

Smaller businesses: If you don’t pay the levy, you can still qualify for up to 95% funding from the government’s co-investment scheme. You’ll then pay the remaining 5%, unless you have less than 50 employees and your learners are 16-18 years old or under 24 and have left care or have a local authority health and education place.

Levy transfer: You may be able to access fully funded early years apprenticeships through a levy transfer. Large employers with unspent levy funds can transfer 100% of training and assessment costs to your business. You can search for these on the government’s apprenticeship funding portal.

Why Connect2Care is a Trusted Partner for Early Years Apprenticeships

At Connect2Care, we specialise in early years career pathways that deliver real results. We offer:

●       Tailored training for your setting and your team

●       Dedicated support for both learners and managers

●       Proven experience in nursery apprenticeship training

●       A passion for raising standards in early years education

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up your programme, we’re here to help every step of the way.

FAQs

+ How do you get started with an early years apprenticeship in your business?

If you want to offer apprenticeships in your business in England, you will need to register for a free apprenticeship service account. Once you have registered, you can access a range of tools and resources to help you manage your apprenticeship programme, including information on government funding, apprenticeship standards, and training providers.

+ What will be expected of me as an employer of an apprentice?

As an employer, you’ll need to provide a safe, supportive environment, pay your apprentice fairly, offer on-the-job and off-the-job training and work closely with a training provider. You may also be eligible for government funding by registering through the apprenticeship service.

+ How long do early years apprenticeships take?

Most early years apprenticeships take between 12 and 24 months, depending on the level.

Develop Your Team and Close the Skills Gap With the Right Partner

The right training partner will help you unlock the full value of an early years apprenticeship programme for employers. From government-funded early years apprenticeships to expert support, Connect2Care gives you everything you need to grow, develop and thrive.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.