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Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Standard
Start Your Career Supporting Children in Early Years
Become a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner
If you are passionate about helping young children learn, play, and develop, this apprenticeship is the perfect starting point for a career in childcare.
Early Years Practitioners support toddlers and young children through purposeful play, daily care routines, and engaging learning activities. Throughout the programme you will develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to create safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.
Play Based Learning
Child Development Skills
Make a Positive Impact
Why Teaching Assistants Matter
Growing learner needs require classroom support
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| SEND Demand | 1.7M+ pupils need additional support |
| EHCP Plans | 482,640 pupils have formal plans |
| SEN Support | 1.28M pupils receive school support |
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Patricia C.
"Completing the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant programme helped me grow in confidence and professionalism. It strengthened my understanding of supporting learners with additional needs and gave me the skills to apply theory directly in my role. Despite balancing work, study, and family life, the experience showed me that I can continue developing and making a meaningful difference to the pupils I support."
⭐Apprentice of the Year
Register your interest
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Check your eligibility in two minutes
A quick check to see what apprenticeship funding your organisation is entitled to and which standards fit your team. You’ll get a plain-English summary at the end — no jargon, no obligation.
Your eligibility summary
Book a call to confirm in detail →This is a guide based on the information you provided. A short call confirms exactly what your organisation is entitled to.
What You'll Be Able to Do
From the start of the programme, you begin developing the practical skills needed to support young children in early years settings.
BY MONTH 6
Understanding Early Years Practice
✓ Support daily routines and activities
✓ Understand safeguarding responsibilities
✓ Build positive relationships with children
BY MONTH 12
Supporting Children’s Development
✓ Deliver engaging play-based activities
✓ Communication and social development
✓ Work effectively with colleagues
BY MONTH 15
Qualified Early Years Practitioner
✓ Achieve Level 2 Early Years qualification
✓ Support learning in early years settings
✓ Contribute to safe learning environments
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Your Learning Journey
A structured programme designed to develop the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills required in early years settings.
Foundations of Early Years Practice
Months 1–4
Build a strong understanding of the early years sector and the responsibilities of working with young children.
You will learn about safeguarding, health and safety, and how babies and young children learn and develop. This stage introduces the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and helps you understand the importance of creating safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.
Supporting Play and Learning
Months 5–8
Develop practical skills that help you support children during activities, routines, and play.
You will learn how to communicate with children at different stages of development, support inclusive practice, and work alongside colleagues to deliver engaging learning experiences that promote curiosity and exploration.
Developing Early Years Skills
Months 9–12
Build confidence supporting children’s development across communication, physical development, and social skills.
During this stage you will learn how to observe children, support their next steps in learning, and help create environments that encourage independence and positive behaviour.
Apprenticeship Completion
Months 13–15
Consolidate your learning and demonstrate your competence in the workplace.
You will build your portfolio of evidence and prepare for your End Point Assessment. The final assessment includes a practical observation in the workplace and a professional discussion where you demonstrate your knowledge and skills as an Early Years Practitioner.
How We Develop Early Years Practitioners
We help you become the confident, skilled practitioner that early years settings rely on every day.
KNOW IT
Build a strong understanding of child development from birth to five.
Learn how young children grow, communicate, and explore the world around them. You will study safeguarding, wellbeing, and how early years environments support children’s learning and development.
SHOW IT
Apply your learning directly in your early years setting.
Support play based learning activities, assist with daily care routines, and help create safe environments where children feel confident to learn and explore.
LIVE IT
Develop the professional behaviours required in childcare.
Demonstrate patience, care, teamwork, and communication while working with children, families, and colleagues to support positive early learning experiences.
Who This Programme Is For?
This apprenticeship is ideal for individuals who want to begin a rewarding career working with babies and young children.
Starting a Career in Childcare
You want to begin a career in early years education while gaining real experience in a nursery, preschool, or childcare setting.
Aspiring Early Years Practitioners
You enjoy working with children and want to develop the practical skills needed to support their learning and development.
Supporting Development
You want to help young children build confidence, communication skills, and positive early learning habits.
Nurseries Developing Talent
Settings that want to develop caring and capable practitioners who can support children's learning and wellbeing.
Find the right apprenticeship programme for your organisation
Seven short questions. At the end we’ll point you to the programme area that fits your sector, team and current priorities.
Question 1 of 7
Where should we send your result?
Your recommended programme area
Book a call to discuss your programme →Your answers and recommendation have been saved so we can pick up where you left off when we speak.
Recognition Stories
Real transformations from people who discovered they're more than just their job titles
Hannah Hopkins
“Balancing full-time work, family life, and study was challenging, but the programme helped me grow in confidence and push myself to achieve more than I thought possible."
📝 Level 2 Distinction 📈 80+ Exam Scores 🏅EPA Success
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Jo G.
“I joined to strengthen my technical skills, but I discovered I’m more than just a finance team member. I became a confident professional trusted to deliver at a high standard.”
🏅Advanced Excel Expertise 📈Progressed to Level 4 📊Recognised for High Performance
Our Commitment to Learners
We provide the support, guidance, and real early years experience you need to succeed.
Structured Learning Support
Our programme provides a clear learning journey that develops the knowledge and skills required to work confidently in early years settings.
Through workshops, guided learning, and workplace experience, you will build the foundations needed to support children effectively.
Dedicated Tutor Support
You will receive consistent one to one support from an experienced tutor throughout your apprenticeship.
Regular reviews, personalised feedback, and clear action plans help you progress and develop your professional practice.
Real Early Years Experience
This programme focuses on practical experience in real childcare environments.
You will support play based learning, contribute to children’s development, and gain experience in the routines and responsibilities of early years settings.
Progression and Development
Completing the programme opens the door to a career in early years education.
Many learners progress into roles such as nursery practitioner or move onto further qualifications such as the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship.
Our Commitment to Employers
Developing Skilled Early Years Staff
The apprenticeship develops practitioners who understand child development, safeguarding, and the importance of high quality early learning.
Supporting Children’s Learning
Apprentices help create engaging environments where children learn through play, exploration, and positive interaction.
Strengthening Nursery Teams
Early Years Practitioners support daily routines, activities, and care needs while working alongside experienced staff.
Building a Strong Workforce
The programme helps nurseries develop confident practitioners from within their team, supporting long term workforce development.
Develop your talent — without taking the team off the floor
Four short questions and we’ll come back with a clear picture of what Train Together can do for your organisation, then a time to talk.
Question 1 of 4
Last bit — how should we reach you?
Here’s what we can offer your organisation
Book a call to talk it through →Your inputs are saved — we’ll come to the call with the funding and standards that fit, so you don’t cover this ground twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Many learners begin the programme with little or no previous childcare experience. The apprenticeship is designed to build the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to work in an early years setting while gaining experience on the job.
Yes. Many early years settings can access government funding to cover the cost of the apprenticeship. Levy paying employers can use their levy funds, while smaller settings may access co funded support depending on eligibility.
Apprentices support daily routines such as play activities, learning experiences, and care routines. They help create safe, engaging environments where young children can explore, develop confidence, and build early learning skills.
The programme teaches practitioners how to support children's communication, social development, and early learning through play based activities aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
After completing the Level 2 apprenticeship, many learners progress to the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification or move into permanent practitioner roles within nurseries and early years settings.
You Are More Than “Just” Childcare Support
You already help young children learn, play, and grow. Now gain the qualification that recognises the difference you make every day.
Develop the skills to support early learning, build children’s confidence, and start a rewarding career in early years education.