The Level 5 Early years lead practitioner, and the 70 providers delivering it.
Working directly with children, skilfully leading day to day practice.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices develop the knowledge and skills to take an operational lead for children's care, learning and development from birth to age eight. The programme covers play-based learning, inclusive practice, planning and assessment, and supporting children with a range of individual needs. Apprentices also learn how to lead and develop other practitioners, engage with safeguarding responsibilities, and keep up with developments in early years policy and pedagogy. The level of study reflects a step up from practice into professional leadership within a setting.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Working directly with children remains central to this role, so the apprentice will spend much of their time on the floor, leading activities and acting as a role model for junior staff. Beyond that, they take responsibility for a specific area such as communication and language, physical activity, or planning and assessment. Typical tasks include observation and documentation, contributing to key person responsibilities, supporting colleagues' practice, liaising with families and external professionals, and helping the setting maintain compliance with the EYFS framework.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship positions practitioners for supervisory and management roles within early years and education settings. Common job titles include room leader, deputy manager, early years coordinator and EYFS lead. With further experience or study, progression to nursery manager or specialist roles in child development and health is achievable. Employers hiring at this level include private day nurseries, maintained nursery schools, primary schools with early years provision, hospitals, local authority settings and social care organisations.
70 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
Nextstep Training is a London-based apprenticeship and skills training provider funded by the Depart...
Reach4Skills is a registered training provider specialising in childcare and business training for b...
Macclesfield College is a further education provider offering apprenticeships, college courses for 1...
Apprenticeships at Salford City College form part of the Salford City College Group and provide appr...
Real Skills Training Ltd is a national training provider specialising in the education, training and...
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is a large UK university offering a comprehensive portfolio of hig...
Riverside Training Spalding (RTS) is a private training provider specialising in apprenticeships and...
Kids Planet Training Academy is an Early Years-focused training provider with Main Provider status o...
<p>Winnovation Training is a UK-based training provider specialising in Health & Social Care, Re...
Gloucestershire County Council delivers apprenticeship training through its Adult Education in Glouc...
HTP Apprenticeship College is a specialist vocational training provider offering apprenticeship and ...
Steadfast Training is a specialist training provider delivering apprenticeships and workforce develo...
Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire College (HLNSC) is a Further Education college group made u...
Juniper Training is a UK training provider with over 40 years’ experience offering apprenticeships a...
Acorn Training is a national training provider delivering apprenticeships, training, employability s...
Wiltshire College & University Centre is a further and higher education college offering a broad por...
JACE Training is an independent training provider with over 40 years’ experience supporting learners...
Hertford Regional College (HRC) is a general further education college with campuses in Broxbourne a...
Total Training Provision is a national provider of education and training, rated Good by Ofsted, off...
Realise is a longstanding work-based learning and training provider that has been delivering trainin...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to operational leadership positions within early years settings. Common job titles include Room Leader, Senior Practitioner, Lead Practitioner, Baby Room Leader, and Pre-school Leader. Some completers move into EYFS Coordinator or Early Years Coordinator roles, taking responsibility for a specific aspect of provision such as communication and language or planning and assessment. Others step into Deputy Manager positions, particularly in nurseries and day care settings where they already have established experience.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many practitioners progress to Deputy Manager or Assistant Manager level, or take on specialist coordinator responsibilities across a full setting. Those who prefer a deep-specialist track often develop expertise in areas such as child development, SEND support, or outdoor learning, sometimes moving into roles like Specialist Practitioner in Child Development or Health Play Specialist. The longer-term leadership path runs toward setting management, area management across multiple sites, or advisory and quality improvement roles within local authority early years teams.
Where these roles sit
Most roles sit in the private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) sector, across day nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups, and private nursery chains. Primary schools with nursery or reception provision also hire at this level, as do maintained nursery schools and local authority children's centres where these remain operational. Smaller specialist employers include hospital play services, social care settings, and out-of-school providers. The majority of positions are full-time, site-based roles working directly with children aged birth to eight.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place in the workplace alongside formal study, so apprentices build competence in a real setting from the start. Throughout the programme, they develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a senior practitioner leading day-to-day provision for children from birth to age eight. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice must pass a readiness check, commonly called a gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice is ready to demonstrate full occupational competence. Final assessment then judges whether the apprentice meets the standard. Assessment models across many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a strong portfolio of workplace evidence throughout the programme, rather than towards the end, makes a significant difference. Apprentices should record examples of leading practice, supporting colleagues, planning for children's individual needs, and engaging with families and other professionals as these situations arise. Regular reviews with the employer and training provider help identify any gaps in evidence early. Keeping reflective accounts and records of professional development alongside practical evidence will mean the gateway readiness check is straightforward rather than a last-minute scramble.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Strong providers for this standard will have an achievement rate above 65%, ideally above 75%, and clear evidence of employer satisfaction from settings that reflect the breadth of contexts listed in the standard: nurseries, schools, hospitals, and out-of-school provision. Look for tutors who hold or have recently held senior early years roles, not just generic education or childcare qualifications. Providers should demonstrate how they cover operational leadership, not just practice, since the role requires leading other practitioners, not just working directly with children. Apprentice satisfaction scores above 70% and reviews mentioning practical relevance are useful signals.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers with high learner volumes but achievement rates that have dropped year on year, as this often points to insufficient off-the-job support or poor initial assessment. Vague answers about how they support the leadership element of the standard, such as leading a room or an aspect of provision, should give pause. Providers who can't demonstrate how they tailor delivery to different settings, particularly non-nursery environments, may default to generic childcare content that doesn't reflect the operational and professional depth this level 5 standard requires.
Questions to ask before you commit
- How do you develop the leadership and operational management skills required at this level, not just child development knowledge?
- Can you show us the current achievement rate for this specific standard and explain any changes over recent years?
- How does your programme support apprentices working in specialist settings, such as hospital play or social care environments?
- What qualifications and recent sector experience do the personal tutors or coaches on this standard hold?
- How do you assess and develop the professional practice element, including engagement with local and national sector developments?
- What does the off-the-job training look like, and how is it structured around a practitioner who is also leading others?
- Can we speak to an employer in a similar setting who has used your programme?
Common questions
What qualifications or experience do you need to start this apprenticeship?
Applicants typically need prior experience working with young children and an existing early years qualification at Level 3, such as the Early Years Educator standard or equivalent. Employers set their own entry criteria, but most expect candidates to already be working in a childcare setting at a practitioner level. English and maths requirements apply; check the current standard on gov.uk for the exact details, as these can vary by provider.
How long does the apprenticeship take and what does the time commitment look like?
The typical duration is 24 months, though the actual length depends on the apprentice's prior learning and progress. Apprentices remain employed throughout, applying their learning directly in their setting. A portion of contracted hours must be spent on off-the-job training. The specific percentage requirement is subject to ongoing revision under current Skills England reforms, so check gov.uk for the latest figure before confirming arrangements with a training provider.
How is the apprentice assessed at the end?
Before moving to end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has met the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. Assessment methods for many standards are currently being reviewed as part of Skills England reforms. For the most up-to-date assessment plan, including which components apply to this standard, refer to the specification on gov.uk. The apprentice must demonstrate genuine occupational competence, not just completion of training.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £9,000. Levy-paying employers draw training costs from their digital apprenticeship service account. Smaller employers who do not pay the levy contribute 5% of training costs, with the government covering the remaining 95%. If you are a very small employer taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, you may pay nothing at all. Costs cover training and assessment only; the apprentice's wage is paid separately by the employer.
What does an early years lead practitioner actually do day to day?
The role involves working directly with children aged birth to eight, acting as a role model for play-based learning while supporting colleagues to develop their own practice. Day-to-day responsibilities include leading on an aspect of provision such as communication and language, planning and assessment, or physical activity. The practitioner manages key worker relationships with children and families, contributes to quality improvement, and may lead a room or team. They report to the setting manager or director.
What roles or further qualifications can an apprentice progress to after completing this?
Completers are well placed for roles such as room leader, deputy manager, assistant manager, EYFS lead, or early years coordinator. Some move into specialist areas like health play work or community nursery nursing. For those wanting to progress further, a full Early Childhood degree or teacher training routes such as Early Years Initial Teacher Training are common next steps. The Level 5 provides a strong academic and practical foundation for senior leadership within a setting or local authority provision.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 655.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.