Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner

Course Content

This course has been developed in response to changes in the early years sector, which now requires a cultural and behavioural shift in an effort to develop sustainability in the early years workforce. The course provides a natural progression route for level 3 practitioners who are employed within an early years setting, who want to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) at level 4. It is a work based qualification that provides professional development opportunities. The course has five mandatory units entitled:

• EYAP 1 – Enabling children to learn
• EYAP 2 – Promoting health and wellbeing through physical activity and nutrition co-ordination (PANco) in the early years
• EYAP 3 – Working with others to support children with additional needs, including Special Educational Needs and Disability
• EYAP 4 – Working with families and other professionals in early years settings
• EYAP 5 – Implementing change in an early years setting incorporating a small scale research project.

Course Outcomes

This qualification will equip you with knowledge, understanding and skills across a range of key subject areas, for example:

• Holistic learning of babies and children from birth to five years of age
• Statutory planning and monitoring requirements in your own country
• The benefits of physical activity, and the importance of diet, to the health and well-being of babies, children and their families
• Effective inclusion of children in early years settings
• The responsibilities of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) within the early years settings, to promote children’s learning and development
• Statutory requirements for working in partnership with families
• How effective partnership working with other professionals can improve the care and development of babies and children in own setting
• Reflection on practice, and using current research to produce recommendations for improvements to your own setting

Progression

Successful completion can provide progression to a level 5 qualification such as the level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Young People's Services. It can also be a useful opportunity to prepare for further study in Higher Education.

Entry Requirements

• Employed within an appropriate Early Years setting
• Hold a full level 3 Childcare qualification
• Aged 18 years or over
• Interview and a written assessment will also be undertaken

Assessment

This qualification will be assessed using a portfolio of evidence.

Equipment

An A4 lever arch file for portfolio building.