Early childhood is a critical time for building the foundations of learning, communication, emotional security and healthy relationships. When children feel safe, understood and supported, they are more able to explore, play, communicate and learn.

Many early years settings are supporting children who need additional help with emotional regulation, confidence, transitions, relationships, behaviour or readiness for learning. These needs can affect how children engage with adults, peers, routines and the wider early years curriculum.

Thrive Early Years Lead Practitioners help settings respond to these needs with confidence. They can support children through warm, consistent relationships, adapt practice to meet developmental needs and help colleagues understand what children may be communicating through their behaviour.

For settings, this creates stronger in house expertise. Rather than relying only on external support, leaders can develop practitioners who understand both high quality early years practice and the importance of social and emotional development.

The result is a more confident team, more consistent support for children and a setting culture where wellbeing, development and learning are closely connected.

You will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead high quality early years practice while supporting children’s social, emotional and developmental needs.

Alongside the core Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship, you will explore Thrive informed approaches to relationships, behaviour, child development and wellbeing. You will learn how to apply this knowledge in practice, support colleagues and contribute to a nurturing environment where children can feel secure, confident and ready to learn.

By the end of the programme, participants will be equipped to act as confident lead practitioners who can support children directly, model effective practice and help strengthen provision across their setting.

Child development, relationships and wellbeing

• How babies and young children develop socially, emotionally and physically
• Why early relationships are central to wellbeing, learning and development
• How secure, nurturing relationships support confidence, curiosity and resilience
• The role of attachment, emotional security and responsive care in early years practice
•  How early experiences can shape behaviour, self regulation and readiness to learn

Understanding behaviour and emotional need

• How behaviour can communicate unmet social, emotional or developmental needs

• How to respond to children with curiosity, consistency and care

• How to recognise when children may need additional support with regulation, confidence or relationships

•  How to support children during key points of challenge, including transitions, separation and changes in routine

• How to create calm, predictable and emotionally supportive environments

Leading high quality early years practice

• How to lead and support the practice of others

• How to model effective interactions, routines and approaches to learning

• How to support colleagues to reflect on practice and improve outcomes

• How to promote inclusive, child centred practice across a setting

• How to use observation, assessment and planning to support children’s development

Supporting learning, development and inclusion

• How to remove barriers to learning through responsive practice

• How to support children’s confidence, independence and participation

•  How to adapt provision to meet individual needs

• How to support children’s communication, play and emotional development through everyday routines

• How to strengthen the link between wellbeing, engagement and learning

Working with families and professionals

• How to work effectively with parents, carers and families

• How to communicate sensitively about children’s needs and progress

• How to work with colleagues, SENCOs, managers and external professionals

• How to contribute to a joined up approach to children’s development and wellbeing

• How to advocate for children and champion their needs within the setting

• Develop a recognised Level 5 early years qualification
• Build confidence as a leader of early years practice
• Strengthen your understanding of child development, behaviour and wellbeing
• Learn practical Thrive informed strategies that can be used in your setting
• Grow your ability to support children, colleagues and families
• Progress your early years career while continuing to work in your setting

• Develop confident lead practitioners from within your existing team
• Strengthen the quality and consistency of early years practice
• Build in house expertise in children’s social and emotional development
• Support staff progression, retention and professional confidence
• Help children feel safe, settled and ready to learn
• Use apprenticeship funding to invest in workforce development

This programme is delivered through a blend of online learning, training events, workplace practice and regular tutor support.

Work is submitted using Bud, an online platform that is easy to use and includes login access for employers to keep track of their apprentice’s progress. Delivery includes:

• Monthly start dates
• 18 months on programme with up to 3 months End Point Assessment
• Monthly training events, face to face or online
• Monthly BPN Boost webinars and online resources for support
• Weekly check ins with your Apprenticeship Tutor
• 6 weekly reviews with your Apprenticeship Tutor and employer
• Thrive informed content woven throughout the programme

This Level 5 Apprenticeship is suitable for someone already working in an early years childcare or education setting who is looking to lead, or someone already leading on the operational aspects of this provision.

EY Lead Practitioners are typically responsible for leading other practitioners. As active practitioners they are effective role models of play-based learning, supporting others to develop their own practice and will be responsible for supporting the quality of learning and development across their setting.W

This 24-month apprenticeship costs £9,000 however can be delivered at no cost to you or your setting if your setting is an Apprenticeship Levy payer

If your setting doesn’t pay into the Apprenticeship Levy Fund, the government will pay 95% of your fees, with your setting contributing just 5%, which is £450. More details can be found on the Government website

Contact our friendly apprenticeship team to confirm the availability of funding for your setting

Employer Incentive

An employer incentive payment of £1,000 is available for new apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Apprenticeship Levy Transfer

If an employer pays into the Apprenticeship Levy and has unspent funds, they can transfer up to 25% of that contribution to another employer. That means you can benefit from the levy-contributions of a different organisation to cover the full costs of an apprenticeship for a member of your team.

Organisations who are actively willing to transfer unspent funds can be viewed on the pledge page. Learn more about the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer on the Government website.