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Early Years Apprenticeships

Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2
Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3
Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5

Childcare Apprenticeships

Playworker Apprenticeship Level 2

Early Years Initial Teacher Training EYITT

Early Years Initial Teacher Training - Part Time
Early Years Initial Teacher Training - Full Time

Early Years SENCO Training

Early Years SENCO Level 3

NPQ for Early Years Leadership

National Professional Qualification for Early Years

Specialist NPQs - International Schools

For teachers and leaders in International Schools who want to develop their expertise in specialist areas of teaching practice.

NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)
NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)

Leadership NPQs - International Schools

DfE accredited National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for International school leaders.

NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
NPQ for Headship (NPQH)
NPQ for Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
NPQ for SENCOs (NPQSENCO)

Internationals have a new home!

Best Practice Network International now has a dedicated website! For all information about our programmes tailored for international schools, please visit www.bpninternational.com. This website will no longer be updated with international programme details.

Click here to go to our new site

Early Years Apprenticeships

Support and promote children’s early education and development.

Early Years Practitioner Level 2
Early Years Educator Level 3
Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5

Childcare Apprenticeships

Playworker Apprenticeship Level 2

Apprenticeship Vacancies

Find an Apprenticeship
Hire an Apprentice

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Train to be a teacher with our Initial Teacher Training course.

Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship

Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships

Providing teaching assistants with expert training to support pupil outcomes and develop in specialist areas.

Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3
Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 SEND
Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5

BPN Boost

Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs

Outstanding leadership development underpinned by cross-sector learning and practice.

Executive Leader Programme with NPQEL
Headteacher Programme with NPQH
School Leader Programme with NPQSL

End Point Assessment

We offer End-point assessment (EPA) services for the following apprenticeship standard.

SBP End-Point Assessment Level 4

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Support wellbeing to improve attendance, behaviour and attainment

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Specialist NPQs

DfE accredited National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for specialist areas of school leadership

NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)
NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)
NPQ for Leading Literacy (NPQLL)

Leadership NPQs

DfE-accredited National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for school leadership

NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
NPQ for Headship (NPQH)
Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO)
NPQ for Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
NPQ for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)
NPQ for SENCOs (NPQSENCO)
 

Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 5

A work-based training programme for practitioners with leadership responsibilities within their setting. Equivalent to a Foundation degree. 

For a spring start, apply by January 19! Applications close in:

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Apply Now    Download Course Guide

Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5

 

New Item
Up to 100% funded Maximum employer fee £400

Master credits
EYLP
Level 5

Face-to-face events In-house tutor
visits

Online learning
Online training events

staff:child ratio
Counts towards the staff:child ratio

Course duration

Course duration
18 - 24 Months

 

The Job Role

The Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner (EYLP) Apprenticeship is ideal for proactive, influential practitioners, working directly with children. These highly skilled professionals take an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care and lead and support the practice of others.

The Apprenticeship 

The EYLP Level 5 apprenticeship is a work-based programme completed over 18-24 months.  During this programme, you will gain hands-on experience in a professional setting, furthering your knowledge on child development and leading practice. Additionally, you will earn at least the Apprentice Minimum Wage however it is likely that this position will have a higher salary. 

 

“Best Practice Network believed in me and supported me on my journey. Their expertise in Early Years provisions and the wrap-around support has enabled me to enhance my experience and knowledge. They were always available to answer my questions and the continued support means so much.”

Davinder Kalsi | Early Years Apprentice

 

Why choose Best Practice Network? 

  • Our award winning Apprenticeships Team are always there to help from applications to graduation
  • National delivery, we have Apprenticeship Tutors based across England 
  • Fantastic well-being programme BPN Boost to support learners throughout the programme
  • Our employees and Apprenticeship Tutors promote our exceptional values; to inspire learning, work together, act with integrity and strive for excellence
  • Individual learning plans and additional support  are available for learners with additional learning needs
Apprenticeships provider of the year

Who is it for? 
  • This Level 5 Apprenticeship is suitable for someone already working in an early years childcare or education setting who is looking to lead, or someone already leading on the operational aspects of this provision.

  • EY Lead Practitioners are typically responsible for leading other practitioners. As active practitioners they are effective role models of play-based learning, supporting others to develop their own practice and will be responsible for supporting the quality of learning and development across their setting.
How is it delivered?

This programme has monthly start dates. Work is submitted using Bud, the cutting-edge online platform, which is easy to use and includes login access for employers to keep track of their apprentices' progress.


 



EYLP level 5 course structure

 



Delivery includes:

    • Monthly start dates
    • 18-months on programme with up to 3-month End Point Assessment
    • Monthly training events, face-to-face or online
    • Monthly BPN Boost webinars and online resources for support
    • Weekly check-ins with Apprenticeship Tutor
    • 6-weekly reviews with Apprenticeships Tutor and Employer
What will I learn?

The seven themes are: 

  • The unique child
  • Implementation of legislation and guidance
  • Learning and development 
  • Effective promotion of development, health and wellbeing
  • Leading practice
  • Child development, observation and planning 
  • Administration 

    Functional Skills: 

    If you have not secured a grade 4 (C) or above in GCSE maths and English, you will be required to complete Functional Skills Level 2 in maths and English. You will be fully supported by our in-house Functional Skills Tutors using a range of materials that best suits you.

    What is Off-the-Job Training? 

    Your employer must give you time during your working hours each week for activities and learning towards your apprenticeship. This is called Off-the-Job training. For apprentices who work 30 hours or more, this will be an average of 6 hours per week, that can be spread out in any way that suits yourself and your setting. 

    Examples of Off-the-Job training includes: 

     

    • Research
    • Interactive online training
    • Training events
    • Inset days
    • Coaching and mentoring 
    • Reflective learning
    • Shadowing
    • Networking and moderation events
    • Project activities
    End-Point Assessment

    The End-Point assessment will be carried out by an external organisation. Your Apprenticeship Tutor will make sure that you are prepared for these assessments throughout your apprenticeship with mock assessments and support. The EPA will consist of: 

    Assessment 1: Observation with questioning in the workplace. This will be a 50 minute observation with 30 minutes of questioning. 

    Assessment 2: Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, carried out in the workplace or over video conference. This will be 90 minutes and consist of 10 questions. 

    You will receive a grade of fail, pass, merit or distinction for these assessments. If you receive a fail, there is an opportunity to resit in agreement with your employer. Please note: the employer will be responsible for any costs incurred.

    Eligibility

    There are no age restrictions for apprentices and there are options to gain level 2 in maths and English if you have no qualifications.

    Apprentices must have:

    • Support from your employer to undertake the programme
    • Funding agreed with apprenticeship account holder
    • GCSE’s in English and Maths at Grade C (4) or above or able to achieve Level 2 English and Maths whilst on programme
    • Level 3 Early Years Educator or Equivalent Qualifications / Extensive Experience
    • Must have held a residency in the UK for the last three years
    • Candidates must be working and interacting on a daily basis with children in the birth to 5 age range in accordance with the EYFS, the setting must be delivering the EYFS learning and development requirements
    Funding

    • This 24-month apprenticeship costs £8,000 however can be delivered at no cost to you or your setting if your setting is an Apprenticeship Levy payer
    • If your setting doesn’t pay into the Apprenticeship Levy Fund, the government will pay 95% of your fees, with your setting contributing just 5%, which is £400. More details can be found on the  Government website
    • Contact our friendly apprenticeship team to confirm the availability of funding for your setting

    Employer Incentive

    An employer incentive payment of £1,000 is available for new apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

    Apprenticeship Levy Transfer

    If an employer pays into the Apprenticeship Levy and has unspent funds, they can transfer up to 25% of that contribution to another employer. That means you can benefit from the levy-contributions of a different organisation to cover the full costs of an apprenticeship for a member of your team.

    Organisations who are actively willing to transfer unspent funds can be viewed on the pledge page. Learn more about the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer on the Government website.

    For Learners

    Are you looking to do an apprenticeship?

    If you are employed within a setting...
    Please check that your employer is supportive of you going on programme and then apply directly here. When you submit an application with your setting’s details, an employer declaration will automatically be sent across for them to complete.

    Apply Now

    If you are not employed within a setting...

    Please look at our list of vacancies that we are currently recruiting for throughout the country.  Our recruitment team will then be in touch to book an online screening interview. If you are deemed successful at this stage, your details will be sent to the employer, who will then decide whether to book you in for an in person formal interview or work trial.

    Find an Apprenticeship

    If you do not find a vacancy which is within your area, do not worry!
    Simply apply for our programme here and our recruitment team will be in touch to book an online screening interview. If you are deemed successful at this stage, we will support you in finding a setting local to you.

    Apply Now

    For the Employer

    Are you an employer and looking for an apprentice?

    If you want to train your current staff members through an apprenticeship, ask them to apply through our Apprenticeship Recruitment.

    If you are looking for apprentices and want us to find candidates in your area, fill out our vacancy form. This will help us customise the candidates to your specific needs.

    To recruit on your behalf, our team will:

    • Collect applications for your vacancy every week
    • Conduct screening interviews to determine if the candidates are suitable for the role and the apprenticeship programme
    • Successful candidates will be sent to you with their CV, application, and interview notes. You can then decide whether to invite them for a formal interview or work trial
    • Once you offer a candidate a position and they accept, we will help you to enrol your candidate onto our programme and help you access funding

    Tell us about your vacancies

     

    Progression Route - Top-up Degree

    Best Practice Network have a relationship with Nottingham Trent University, who offer a 12 month online top-up degree in Childhood and Education Studies.

    This unique new course is designed for you if you hold a level 5 qualification and want to top up to a BA honours degree level.
    Delivered online, the course offers a flexible approach to learning, allowing you to conveniently fit your studies in around your personal and working life.

    The next start date is September 2024. Once you have completed the top-up degree, you can apply to begin your EYITT with Best Practice Network to become an Early Years Teacher.

    Course Details 

     

    Apprenticeship Vacancies

    Find an apprentice      Find an apprenticeship

    How to apply

    We are now accepting applications and can help you find a workplace setting.

    Apply Now

     

    Related Courses and Content

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    Early Years Educators work with and care for children from birth to 5 years. They play a massive role in supporting children to have the best start to their education.

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    Introducing BPN Boost

    We are delighted to introduce BPN Boost, a ground breaking well-being programme designed to support and enrich the lives of apprentices.

    Read more

    Article

     

     

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