Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Apprentice

NEXT STEP TRAINING LTD

Hornchurch, London, Thornton Heath

Closes in 19 days (Wednesday 27 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 8 August 2025

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Summary

Enjoy regular team events, free or discounted travel, exclusive discounts at 350+ retailers, and reduced council tax once registered as an apprentice. You’ll also receive 28 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays), company pension, rewards and incentives, plus a clear, structured career pathway.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Early years lead practitioner (level 5)
Hours
Monday to Friday, varied shifts between 6.30am - 6.00pm. No weekends.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Training:

  • Your full role and responsibilities will be set out by your employer
    NextStep Training will provide you with all of the on-the-job training you need to up-skill in your role
  • Your 20% off-the-job learning will be incorporated as part of your working day

Qualifications required:

  • Knowledge of the statutory framework for the EYFS and regulatory requirements – Desirable
  • Fluent in written and spoken English – Essential
  • Passionate about learning and developing into a new role – Essential

Skills required:

  • Great communication skills
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Creative thinker
  • Passionate and reliable

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • 1 Rosewood Avenue, Hornchurch, RM12 5LH
  • 294 High Street, London, W3 9BJ
  • 225 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0TH
  • Unit A, Red House, 67 Lawrence Road, London, N15 4GL
  • 136 Blackhorse Lane, London, E17 6AA
  • Clare Road, London, SE14 6PX
  • 90 Oliver Road, London, E10 5JY
  • 19 Diamond Court, Cherington Road, London, W7 3JL
  • Unit 43, Alacia Court, Palmerston Road, London, W3 8GJ
  • 48 Wiltshire Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7QN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NEXTSTEP TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Early years lead practitioner (level 5)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Advocate for children through their child centred approach, listening to the voice of the child; ensuring children’s rights, views and wishes are heard, respected and acted upon at all times. Offer appropriate support and influence decisions in the best interests of the child.
  • Develop, model and implement strategies to support the emotional, social, psychological, physical and cultural needs of all children within the educational setting.
  • Support and promote children’s diverse speech, language and communication development and determining and adapting appropriate responses and interventions to support verbal, nonverbal interactions and engagement with written communication.
  • Support children to engage in a range of learning contexts such as individual, small groups and larger groups as appropriate for their play and support confidence within social experiences.
  • Engage in effective strategies to develop and extend children's learning and thinking, including sustained shared thinking.
  • Promote, model and support children and families to develop a healthy approach to making choices relating to personal care including eating, sleeping and physical activity.
  • Analyse and articulate how all children’s individual learning can be affected by their current developmental capabilities, characteristics and individual circumstances taking into account all factors contributing to typical and atypical development.
  • Ensure plans fully reflect the individual development needs and circumstances of children and actively participate in the provision of consistent care, responding quickly to the needs of the individual child.
  • Plan, carry out and guide appropriate personal care routines for individual children.
  • Competently action and carry out safeguarding procedures, using their professional curiosity, knowledge, insight and understanding.
  • Explore and understand, challenge and question; knowing when to act to safeguard and protect children.
  • Encourage all children’s participation, ensuring a sensitive, respectful and effective balance within the adult and child dynamic to facilitate play opportunities.
  • Ensure staff are deployed effectively to suit and enhance the learning environment, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all children.
  • Cultivate professional partnerships with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals, presenting their understanding of the child’s journey within multidisciplinary teams to holistically support the child’s individual needs.
  • Demonstrate the importance of the home learning environment, developing an effective and collaborative partnership to enhance opportunities for the child.
  • Provide a dynamic, evolving and enabling environment that reflects the current interests, motivations, and play of individual and groups of children.
  • Use current and contemporary knowledge, research, theories and approaches to develop, enhance and articulate their own pedagogical approach and practice.
  • Observe, assess, plan, facilitate and participate in play opportunities which include current curriculum requirements.
  • Make use of formative and summative assessment, tracking children’s progress to plan for future learning possibilities including early interventions based on individual developmental needs.
  • Take responsibility for supporting the key person in articulating children's progress and planning future learning possibilities including the safe use of digital technology to communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
  • Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Be a leaderful practitioner to support, mentor, coach, train and guide colleagues in a range of educational settings, providing inspiration and motivation to engage others to develop their practice, supporting teams and guiding change.
  • Identify, action and competently challenge issues and undertake difficult conversations where appropriate.
  • Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally to enhance their practice.
  • Ensure the security and confidentiality of data, records and information in line with current legislation.
  • Identify and act upon own responsibilities in relation to health and safety, prevention and control of infection, carrying out risk assessments and risk management processes in line with policies and procedures.
  • Apply the principles of sustainability and segregate used resources for reuse, recycling, and safe disposal .
  • Advocate for children through their child centred approach, listening to the voice of the child; ensuring children’s rights, views and wishes are heard, respected and acted upon at all times. Offer appropriate support and influence decisions in the best interests of the child.
  • Develop, model and implement strategies to support the emotional, social, psychological, physical and cultural needs of all children within the educational setting.
  • Support and promote children’s diverse speech, language and communication development and determining and adapting appropriate responses and interventions to support verbal, nonverbal interactions and engagement with written communication.
  • Support children to engage in a range of learning contexts such as individual, small groups and larger groups as appropriate for their play and support confidence within social experiences.
  • Engage in effective strategies to develop and extend children's learning and thinking, including sustained shared thinking.
  • Promote, model and support children and families to develop a healthy approach to making choices relating to personal care including eating, sleeping and physical activity.
  • Analyse and articulate how all children’s individual learning can be affected by their current developmental capabilities, characteristics and individual circumstances taking into account all factors contributing to typical and atypical development.
  • Ensure plans fully reflect the individual development needs and circumstances of children and actively participate in the provision of consistent care, responding quickly to the needs of the individual child.
  • Plan, carry out and guide appropriate personal care routines for individual children.
  • Competently action and carry out safeguarding procedures, using their professional curiosity, knowledge, insight and understanding.
  • Explore and understand, challenge and question; knowing when to act to safeguard and protect children.
  • Encourage all children’s participation, ensuring a sensitive, respectful and effective balance within the adult and child dynamic to facilitate play opportunities.
  • Ensure staff are deployed effectively to suit and enhance the learning environment, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all children.
  • Cultivate professional partnerships with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals, presenting their understanding of the child’s journey within multidisciplinary teams to holistically support the child’s individual needs.
  • Demonstrate the importance of the home learning environment, developing an effective and collaborative partnership to enhance opportunities for the child.
  • Provide a dynamic, evolving and enabling environment that reflects the current interests, motivations, and play of individual and groups of children.
  • Use current and contemporary knowledge, research, theories and approaches to develop, enhance and articulate their own pedagogical approach and practice.
  • Observe, assess, plan, facilitate and participate in play opportunities which include current curriculum requirements.
  • Make use of formative and summative assessment, tracking children’s progress to plan for future learning possibilities including early interventions based on individual developmental needs.
  • Take responsibility for supporting the key person in articulating children's progress and planning future learning possibilities including the safe use of digital technology to communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
  • Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Be a leaderful practitioner to support, mentor, coach, train and guide colleagues in a range of educational settings, providing inspiration and motivation to engage others to develop their practice, supporting teams and guiding change.
  • Identify, action and competently challenge issues and undertake difficult conversations where appropriate.
  • Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally to enhance their practice.
  • Ensure the security and confidentiality of data, records and information in line with current legislation.
  • Identify and act upon own responsibilities in relation to health and safety, prevention and control of infection, carrying out risk assessments and risk management processes in line with policies and procedures.
  • Apply the principles of sustainability and segregate used resources for reuse, recycling, and safe disposal .

Training schedule

Training is delivered through a flexible blend of in-person sessions at our Hackney training centre and online learningwith guidance from our experienced tutors.

You will be working towards the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard, which includes:

  • Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours required for advanced leadership roles in Early Years settings
  • Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English (if not already achieved)
  • Development of coaching, mentoring, and strategic planning skills to lead practice and support staff across your setting

Apprentices will use the Laser Learning platform to:

  • Complete and submit coursework
  • Monitor progress in real time
  • Access learning materials and tutor feedback
  • Stay engaged throughout the programme
  • Monthly lesson attendance is required, either online or in person, to ensure consistent progress and support

Requirements

Essential qualifications

BTEC in:

Early Years Educator (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

About this employer

Next Step Training Ltd is an apprenticeship and skills training provider, funded by the Department for Education, delivering apprenticeships in London and across England. We have been in operation since 2012 and during this time have built an established reputation as a reliable and employer-led training provider. We work together with employers and individual learners to design and deliver training programmes that meets both learners and their employers’ needs. Our goal of is to empower as many individuals as possible to reach their full potential, helping them on their journey to find meaningful career that is rewarding. We help to empower businesses with industry-expert staff so they can provide the very best learning experience to their workforce to perform better.

After this apprenticeship

Completing the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship marks a significant step forward in a professional early years career
This qualification is designed for experienced practitioners who are ready to take on more senior leadership responsibilities within early years settings

With this advanced qualification, individuals are equipped to:

  • Lead day-to-day practice across a setting or team
  • Mentor and support junior staff and apprentices
  • Drive improvements in pedagogy, curriculum planning, and safeguarding
  • Influence policies and strategies that enhance child development and wellbeing
  • Act as a role model, demonstrating high standards of care and education

Career progression opportunities after completing the Level 5 include:

  • Room Leader or Senior Practitioner
  • Deputy Manager or Nursery Manager
  • Early Years Coordinator or Curriculum Lead
  • SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator)
  • Early Years Quality Improvement Officer

For those looking to continue their professional development, the Level 5 qualification can also serve as a stepping stone towards:

  • A Foundation Degree in Early Years or Education A BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies
  • Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • Assessor, Trainer, or Tutor roles in early years education

This pathway supports individuals in becoming confident, reflective, and influential leaders in early years education - capable of shaping high-quality learning environments and driving positive outcomes for children.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NEXTSTEP TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000336249.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Wednesday 27 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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