This guide explains how your apprenticeship assessment works, what Gateway to Completion involves and what you'll need to complete. You'll also find practical advice on how your employer and NCE Development Coach will support you along the way.
The reformed Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship has a 14-month programme structure, with assessment readiness built into your learning journey. The main changes include:
- A 14-month programme: Your learning and assessment preparation take place within the programme, with no separate three-month EPA period.
- Two assessment components: You'll complete a mandatory workplace Observation with Q&A and one additional assessment method selected by your assessment centre.
- Regular readiness checkpoints: You, your employer and your Development Coach will review your progress at Months 3, 6, 9, 12 and 14.
- Ongoing professional behaviours: Your employer will help you gather evidence of the eight required occupational behaviours (B1–B8) from Month 1.
- Gateway to Completion: Your readiness for assessment is reviewed as part of your apprenticeship journey.
The occupational standard and required learning remain in place. These changes focus on how your progress and readiness for assessment are reviewed.
Your assessment gives you the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to work effectively as an Early Years Educator. There are two assessment components.
1. Workplace Observation with Q&A
This is a mandatory part of your assessment. You'll be observed demonstrating your skills in your early years setting, showing how you apply your learning in practice. You'll also answer questions about your work to demonstrate your understanding of early years education and care.
2. One additional assessment method
Your assessment centre will select one of the following methods:
Professional Discussion
A structured discussion where you'll talk about your knowledge, skills and experience, explaining how you've applied what you've learned in your role.
Case Study
A case study based on a child study, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding of a child's learning, development and needs.
You won't choose between these methods yourself. Your assessment centre selects the method that applies to your programme. The two assessment components can take place in either order, at an appropriate point after you, your employer and NCE have confirmed readiness.
Gateway to Completion is an important stage in your apprenticeship journey. It helps confirm that you're ready to undertake your apprenticeship assessment. Your progress and required evidence will be reviewed with support from your employer and your Development Coach before you're confirmed as ready.
This includes checking that you've completed the required learning, met the relevant programme requirements and demonstrated the professional behaviours expected of an Early Years Educator. Your employer will also need to verify and sign off evidence of your eight occupational behaviours (B1–B8).
Being ready for assessment isn't about rushing to the finish line. It's about making sure you've developed the knowledge, skills and confidence to demonstrate your competence.
As an Early Years Educator, how you work with children, families and colleagues is just as important as what you know. Your apprenticeship includes eight occupational behaviours, known as B1–B8. These cover the professional attitudes and approaches expected in your role, including being child-centred, caring, reflective, creative and committed to your continuing professional development.
You'll develop and demonstrate these behaviours throughout your apprenticeship, using examples from your everyday work.
From Month 1, your employer will help you gather evidence of how you demonstrate each behaviour in the workplace. An employer checklist/process is in development and is not yet available. Your progress will be reviewed at five readiness checkpoints:
- Month 3
- Month 6
- Month 9
- Month 12
- Month 14
At these reviews, you'll discuss your progress with your employer and your Development Coach, identify any gaps and agree on any actions needed.
Your employer is responsible for confirming and signing off your behaviour evidence. This supports your assessment readiness, but it does not replace the independent assessment process or determine your final apprenticeship grade.
Your employer plays an important part in helping you prepare for assessment. Throughout your apprenticeship, they'll support you to apply your learning in practice, observe your professional behaviours and provide opportunities to develop your skills in your setting. They'll also:
- Gather and review your workplace behaviour evidence from Month 1.
- Verify evidence of behaviours B1–B8 using examples from your workplace practice.
- Join your readiness reviews at Months 3, 6, 9, 12 and 14.
- Sign off your behaviour evidence as part of the journey towards Gateway to Completion.
- Work with you and your Development Coach to identify any areas where you need further support.
Keeping communication open with your employer and your Development Coach will help you understand how you're progressing and what you need to do next.
The best preparation starts from the beginning of your apprenticeship. Rather than leaving everything until the end, make the most of your learning opportunities and the feedback you receive throughout the programme. Here are some practical ways to stay on track:
Keep up with your learning
Complete your learning activities and coursework as planned. Speak to your Development Coach if you're finding anything difficult.
Apply what you learn
Look for opportunities to use your knowledge in your everyday work, whether that's supporting children's development, planning activities or creating an inclusive learning environment.
Keep evidence of your progress
Record relevant examples of your work and reflect on what you've learned. Your Development Coach can help you understand what evidence is needed.
Demonstrate your professional behaviours
Think about how you show the required behaviours in your daily interactions with children, families and colleagues. Work with your employer to keep your behaviour evidence up to date.
Take part in your readiness reviews
Use your reviews to discuss your progress, celebrate what you've achieved and agree on any areas that need further development.
Ask for support when you need it
Your Development Coach and employer are there to help throughout your apprenticeship. If you're unsure about an assessment requirement, ask rather than waiting until your next checkpoint.
