At ACL Essex, we believe that strong early years settings are built on passionate, skilled practitioners.
As the largest provider of adult learning in Essex and part of Essex County Council, we work closely with nurseries, preschools, and early years providers to strengthen leadership, pedagogy, and professional development across the early childhood sector.
Our professional apprenticeships are ideal for early years staff already in post—helping you upskill your team, nurture future leaders, and build capacity from within. Whether you’re supporting early years educators just starting out or developing experienced practitioners into confident leaders, our flexible, highquality training is tailored to meet the unique needs of early years settings.
Whether you’re investing in your current team or planning for the future, ACL Essex is here to help you grow a confident, capable early years workforce that delivers meaningful, lasting impact for children and families.
Apprenticeships
Grow your organisation’s skills, strengthen leadership capability, and retain top talent with government supported apprenticeship training.
Work-Based Training
Flexible, accredited training programmes tailored to your needs — without requiring apprenticeship funding or levy payments.
Funding and Support
We simplify the funding process, helping you navigate available options, including accessing our Levy Transfer Service for fully funded training.
aclessex.com/employers
acl.businessdevelopment@essex.gov.uk
Apprenticeships
At ACL Essex, we help early years settings grow confident, skilled staff through highquality training programmes. Our training strengthens support teams and creates nurturing environments where young children can flourish.
Designed for Early Years Professionals
These programmes are ideal for current staff — from early years practitioners to room leaders — helping to develop talent, build leadership skills, and prepare your team for the evolving needs of early childhood education.
Flexible Learning That Works for You
We know how busy early years settings can be. That’s why our flexible approach combines in-person workshops with online learning, making it easy to fit around your daily routines. Our cohort-based model also encourages shared learning and collaboration across nurseries, preschools, and reception classes.
A Smart Investment in Your Team
Apprenticeships aren’t just for new starters. Upskilling your existing team boosts confidence, encourages fresh thinking, and builds a strong foundation of skilled professionals ready to support your setting’s future.
Our Programmes
Level 2 Early Years Practitioner
A strong starting point for new staff, this programme builds essential knowledge in child development, safeguarding, and learning through play—preparing practitioners to contribute effectively from day one.
Level 3 Early Years Educator
For those ready to deepen their practice, this apprenticeship develops skilled educators who can plan and deliver purposeful learning, support children’s progress across the EYFS, and help maintain a high-quality learning environment.
Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
Designed for experienced practitioners with leadership potential, this programme equips staff to lead practice, mentor others, and support continuous improvement across your provision.
Proud to be an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider.
Rated December 2023.
Level 2 Early Years
Practitioner
Duration
12–15 months
Start Dates
Monthly
Study Modes
Online live teaching and classroom-based learning
Cost
£4,000 (levy-funded) / £200 (non-levyfunded with 95% government support)
Why Choose This Programme?
The Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship is the ideal entry point for individuals beginning their career in early years education. It equips apprentices with the essential knowledge and practical skills to support children’s learning and development from birth to age 5, and up to age 7. This programme is aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and ensures practitioners can contribute
meaningfully to high-quality care and education. With minimal cost to the employer and flexible delivery, it’s a smart investment in building a skilled, confident early years workforce.
Programme Highlights:
Understand how young children learn and develop, support purposeful play, promote communication, language and literacy, apply safeguarding, child protection and health & safety procedures, support children’s personal care needs, build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues and recognising signs of developmental delay or safeguarding concerns and know how to respond.
Level 3 Early Years
Educator
Duration
18 Months
Start Dates
This apprenticeship will be offered four times per year
Study Modes
Online live teaching and classroom-based learning
Cost
£6,000 (levy-funded) / £300 (non-levyfunded with 95% government support)
Why Choose This Programme?
The Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship is designed for those who are ready to take on a more active and autonomous role in early years settings. It develops skilled professionals who can plan and deliver purposeful play, support children’s development, and work in partnership with families and colleagues. Fully aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), this programme ensures educators are equipped to make
a lasting impact on children’s early learning experiences. With flexible delivery and strong funding support, it’s a valuable route to building a highquality early years team.
Programme Highlights
Plan and lead engaging, age-appropriate activities, observe, assess, and record children’s progress, promote physical, emotional, and social wellbeing through inclusive practice, understand and implement safeguarding, child protection, and health & safety policies, support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), build strong, respectful relationships with children, families, and professionals and promote language, literacy, and numeracy development.
Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
Duration
18–24 months
Start Dates
This apprenticeship will be offered four times per year
Study Modes
Online live teaching and classroom-based learning
Cost
£8,000 (levy-funded) / £400 (non-levyfunded with 95% government support)
Why Choose This Programme?
This programme helps early years settings develop experienced staff into confident leaders who can guide daily practice, support colleagues, and lead improvements across the provision. Apprentices learn how to evaluate what works well in their setting, introduce new approaches based on evidence, and ensure that children’s learning and wellbeing are at the centre of decision-
making. By training staff at this level, settings can strengthen internal leadership, improve consistency in practice, and create a culture where staff feel supported to grow and children thrive.
Programme Highlights
Strategic operational planning and KPI
Lead and model high-quality early years practice, use observation, assessment, and planning to support progress, champion inclusive practice, support children with SEND through tailored strategies, mentor and coach colleagues, lead safeguarding, health & safety, and wellbeing practices across the setting.
Work-Based Training
ACL Essex offers a variety of professional development programmes outside of apprenticeships to help build skills and strengthen early years provision. While these courses are not funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, we have access to the Essex County Council Poppins Bursary—specifically designed to support training in early years settings. Our team can guide you through the funding process to ensure training remains accessible and affordable.
Key Programmes
Level 2
Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner, Diploma in Playwork, Diabetes Care and Management, Introduction to Neuroscience in Early Years, Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities, Understanding Behaviour that Challenges, Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
Level 3
Diploma for the Working in the Early Years Sector, Principles of Leadership and Management, Understanding Autism, Diabetes Care and Management
Level 4
Certificate for EYS Advanced Practitioner
Level 5
Diploma for EYS Senior Practitioner
Scan the QR code or visit aclesssex.com/employers to browse our full offer.
Funding & Support
Funding Your Apprenticeship and Training Programmes
Our dedicated team work with you to find the right funding streams and ensures your investment in training delivers maximum impact. The Poppins bursary offers development opportunities and training for those currently working or looking to enter the early years sector. It supports training initiatives for early years settings, with the goal of enhancing the range and quality of services offered in our communities.
Apprenticeship Levy
For Employers with Payroll Over £3m:
• 0.5% of payroll allocated into an apprenticeship account.
• 100% funding available for eligible apprenticeship training.
Benefits
• Fully funded workforce training.
• Tailored training solutions to meet business goals.
Non-Levy Paying Employers
For Employers with Payroll Under £3m:
• 95% government-funded apprenticeship training.
• Only a 5% employer contribution required.
Levy Transfer Service
ACL Essex can connect non-levy paying employers with levy-paying businesses willing to transfer unused funds, covering 100% of training costs.
How We Can Help:
• Simplify the funding process.
• Maximise available support.
• Ensure training solutions are accessible and aligned with your organisation’s needs.
The Poppins Early Years
Bursary
What is the Poppins Bursary?
The Poppins Bursary is a £1.4 million initiative launched by Essex County Council to support recruitment, training, and career progression in the early years childcare sector.
Delivered in partnership with ACL Essex, the bursary aims to:
• Address the growing demand for childcare across Essex.
• Provide fully funded training for new entrants, returners, and existing staff.
• Support the setup of new childminding businesses.
Why it Matters
By investing in early years professionals, the bursary helps ensure children in Essex receive high-quality care and education, while also enabling more parents and carers to enter employment
Who Can Benefit?
The bursary is available to:
• Individuals new to the early years sector.
• Those returning after a career break.
• Current staff seeking formal qualifications or career progression.
• Aspiring childminders needing financial support to start their business.
Financial Support
• Fully funded courses across various qualification levels.
• Grants up to £1,000 to cover childminding setup costs (e.g., DBS checks, health declarations, first aid training).
• Bonus incentives for completing certain training programmes (e.g., £150 for Train the Trainer certification)
Training Opportunities
ACL Essex offers a wide range of qualifications under the Poppins Bursary, including:
• Level 2–5 Diplomas in Early Years Practice.
• Apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 5.
• Specialist courses in Autism, SEN, Behaviour Management, and Neuroscience.
• “Get into” programmes for those exploring early years careers or childminding
Dawn - Manager at Wivenhoe
Park Day Nursery
How to Apply
To apply or learn more:
• Visit the ACL Essex Poppins Bursary page
• Email: poppins@essex.gov.uk
• Call: 0345 603 7635
Scan the QR code to watch the video
I’d say to anyone not accessing the bursary I’d kind of wonder why. Finding good quality staff that you can retain is imperative.
