Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner

This OFQUAL recognised qualification is for practitioners working in the Early Year’s workforce at Level 3. This qualification will embrace the wealth of experience of the Level 3 Early Years workforce and challenge learners in both family practice and theoretical understating.

This qualification is a good choice for you if you are looking to progress to become an Advanced Practitioner within the Early Years workforce. The Advanced Practitioner will use crucial leadership skills to mentor others across all roles and responsibilities in the Early Years workforce.

Aims of the course

These are to:

• Focus on the study of the Advanced Practitioner in early years
• Offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
• Provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills
• Enable learners to explore statutory planning and monitoring requirements in their own country.
• Understand current frameworks for inclusive practice
• Explore some of the diverse needs of families, and reflect on how best to overcome barriers to partnership working with families.
• Enable learners to gain a greater awareness of how babies and young children learn and how to apply theory to practice
• Be able to apply coaching, leadership and mentoring skills to educate and motivate staff to work effectively in partnership with others.
• Develop employability skills

The objective of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to work as an Advanced Practitioner in early years.

Structure

The units for this programme have been selected to offer learners the best opportunities for progression both academically and professionally. In order to achieve the Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner learners must successfully complete 5 mandatory units.

The mandatory units are: 

• Enabling children to learn
• Promoting health and well-being through physical activity and nutrition co-ordination (PANCo) in the Early Years
• Working with others to support children with additional needs, including Special Educational Needs and Disability
• Working with families and other professionals in Early Years settings
• Implementing change in an Early Years setting incorporating a small scale research project

Experience in the Workplace

This is a work-based qualification. Learners must be employed in an Early Years setting at Level 3 to complete this qualification.

This qualification requires learners to complete a work placement experience..

How the course is delivered

This Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner is delivered via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which provides access to case studies, learning materials and activities, presentations and web links. Online tutor support and guidance is provided throughout the course, where learners can interact with the tutors, get feedback on their progress and submit their work electronically. This helps you to build the relevant skills progressively, as you receive feedback and support from your tutor during this time. As the course is delivered online, this enables learners to study any time, any place through immediate access to VLE.

Assessment

All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods. Skills-based outcomes will be achieved with reference to a real work environment and must include direct observation within the workplace.

Opportunities for progression

This qualification provides progression to a Level 5 qualification such as the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services (England). It will also prepare learners for further study of early years in higher education.

Career opportunities

You could progress to the following job roles and responsibilities:

• Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
• Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator (PANCo)
• Internal progression at a higher level, including those with management responsibilities
• Leadership, mentoring, supervision and management opportunities.

Entry requirements

• Learners must be at least 18 years old and hold a full Level 3 early years / childcare qualification
• An appropriate level of skill in the English language.