SEND

Levy cost: £7,000 Non-Levy Cost: £350

Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship SEND Pathway Maximum Programme Duration: 13-16 months plus End Point Assessment period

What will be achieved?

Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years settings Level 3 Early Years Educator Standard Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English (if no prior exemptions) Full paediatric first aid (PFA) or an emergency PFA certificate Behaviours: Confident to have difficult conversations Child-centred and empathetic, valuing equality, diversity, and inclusion and the uniqueness of each child Vigilant and act with professional curiosity Caring, compassionate and sensitive.

Honest, open, respectful, and a role model Self-motivated, using initiative and proactive Playful and creative Reflective and reflexive and committed to CPD

Health, safety and relationships Understand health, safety and safeguarding legislation Understand policies and procedures Understand own roles and responsibilities Understand the importance of partnership working Understand how to manage risks Understand how to deal with accidents and emergencies

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Programme Delivery This programme is delivered using a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face tutorials with remote workshops, online learning resources and support including: Tutorials and one-to-one mentoring E-portfolio and e-learning Additional learning and training arranged by the learners employer, this may include job shadowing/in house training programmes relevant to the course and dedicated time in the day to study, of at least 6 hours per week 2-hour one-to-one visits every 4 to 6 weeks with a dedicated tutor and formal quarterly progress reviews with the manager and tutor.

The Apprenticeship Journey The level 3 Early Years Educator sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are required to be an effective practitioner. The programme has been structured around three themes of learning to support apprentices in developing their knowledge and skills in a logical manner:

Child development Understand the role and responsibility of a key person Understand expected patterns of development Understand how to support children with additional needs Understand the observation, assessment and planning cycle Understand the importance of enabling environments Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years settings

Inclusion and Professional Development in Early Years Understand the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion The legal rights of each individual child according to their current and future needs.

Understand the importance of continuous professional development

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Who is the programme for and what will be involved?

The Early Years Educator Apprenticeship: SEND Pathway is designed for individuals with experience in early years who have a particular interest in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). During Theme 2, apprentices on this pathway will develop a thorough understanding of SEND, the role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), and the importance of inclusive practice in early years settings. This learning will not only support apprentices in achieving their Early Years Educator qualification but will also equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to develop their careers and take on future SEND responsibilities within an early years setting.

Each apprentice will be assigned a dedicated tutor who will provide ongoing help and support throughout the programme. Learning will be delivered through a blended approach, combining on-the-job experience with structured off-the-job training to ensure apprentices develop the full range of skills required for their role.

With guidance from their tutor where needed, apprentices will complete a series of online learning modules designed to build their underpinning knowledge of the Early Years sector and effective ways to support children’s development. The knowledge gained from each themed topic will be formally assessed through End-Point Assessment (EPA) tasks. To support their success, apprentices must have a minimum of six hours of protected study time allocated each week.

In addition to developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to be a successful Early Years Educator, apprentices will, if 19 or over at the start of their apprenticeship, have the option of working towards Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. Functional Skills are mandatory for apprentices aged 16-18 unless they have GCSE equivalents at grades 9-4 or A*-C in these subjects.

Apprentices will develop competence and confidence at work with a range of resources designed to allow access to online learning, videos and more.

End Point Assessment (EPA) This programme is formally assessed by an independent end point assessor using two methods:

Professional Discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence During the apprenticeship, the learner will generate evidence of the knowledge, skills and behaviours gained which will be uploaded to an e-Portfolio through our Aptem system. The independent assessor will review the portfolio prior to the assessment and use a 90 minute professional discussion to assess the learner's competence and understanding.

Observation and Q&A Learners are required to be observed for 50-minutes to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they have gained during their apprenticeship. Following the observation, the learner will take part in a 30-minute questioning to allow the end point assessor to clarify their performance and to cover any aspects that were not observed.

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Copyright © 2025 Hawk Management (UK) Limited