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Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Apprenticeship
Our Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship is ideal for experienced early years professionals looking to take the next step in their career. This programme supports practitioners who are ready to deepen their expertise, lead on best practice, and play a strategic role in shaping high‑quality early years provision.
As a Lead Practitioner, you’ll work in a range of early years settings — from public and private nurseries to childcare and education environments — taking responsibility for supporting children’s learning, development, and wellbeing.
As an Early Years Educator Apprentice, you will:
- Guide the quality of early years provision through direct engagement
- Model high‑quality play-based learning
- Support colleagues in developing their own practice
- Manage operational areas of your setting
- Collaborate with families, agencies, and other professionals to ensure the best outcomes for each child
- Stay actively involved in sector-wide development and professional growth
This Level 5 qualification is a key step for those aspiring to develop their practice in early years settings and build a long-term career in education.
Why choose us?
Our expert team includes educators with former experience in an early years setting who understand what it takes to support young children’s learning and development. With over 50 years of apprenticeship training experience, we’re here to guide you from first steps to qualified success.
- Delivered by Experts – All our education trainers have years of real-world experience working in early years education. You’ll learn from true experts who understand what it takes to thrive in the school environment.
- 50+ Years of Apprenticeship Excellence – We’ve been supporting learners and employers since 1971, giving us a deep understanding of how to guide you from learner to fully qualified professional.
- Rated Highly by Apprentices and Employers – We’re proud of our glowing reviews on the official government apprenticeship site, showing consistent satisfaction from past learners.
- Backed by Ofsted Praise – “Senior leaders provide strong and inclusive leadership… They are highly visible and committed to providing good-quality education and training” – Ofsted Report.
- Support Every Step of the Way – From application to employment, our friendly team is here to help you build your skills, confidence, and career.
AI SMART
Heart of England Training is moving into the future with artificial intelligence, which means you are too.
Every apprentice, whatever their role or programme, benefits from our AI Smart approach, which is part of our HOET Knowledge Boost.
Built to develop practical AI confidence and real-world application, AI Smart equips learners with the knowledge and skills to use AI tools effectively, responsibly, and with purpose.
As learners progress, apprentices go beyond basic understanding by learning how to apply AI thoughtfully to solve genuine workplace challenges, support innovation, and add tangible value to their employer.
Testimonies
“Completing the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship has completely changed how confident I feel in my role. I now have the skills and knowledge to provide targeted support and make a real difference to learners with additional needs.” Former Level 5 Specialist TA apprentice
“What I valued most was how practical the learning was. Everything I learned could be applied straight away in the classroom, which made a real impact on my day-to-day work.” Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprentice
“The Level 5 apprenticeship challenged me in the best way. I’ve grown professionally, built my confidence, and feel proud of the specialist support I now provide to learners.” Jack, former Level 5 apprentice
