childcare

Guiding Play: The Essential Role of a Playworker – An Apprenticeship Overview

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coloured building blocks with Childs hands
Level 2 Playworker Apprenticeship

Play is a crucial part of a child’s development, fostering creativity, social skills, and personal growth. But have you ever wondered who these specialized individuals are, trained to support and encourage children’s play in various settings? Enter the Playworkers Apprenticeship. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of being a Playworker and understand their vital role in nurturing children’s play.

Role Overview

A Playworker’s primary mission is to care for and support children as they take responsibility for their own play, all while creating an exciting and adventurous space for them to learn and explore. These dedicated professionals work in various play settings, each with its unique model of Playwork. Playworkers can be found in the voluntary, public, and private sectors, operating in diverse environments, from community settings and adventure playgrounds to hospitals and prisons, showcasing their versatility.

Key Responsibilities and Competencies of a Playworker

Playworkers have several key responsibilities and duties, for example:

  • Supporting children’s self-directed play and fostering their development.
  • Building positive relationships with children while maintaining professional boundaries.
  • Creating inclusive and accessible play environments.
  • Observing children during play, reflecting on their interactions, and maintaining records.
  • Advocating for children’s right to play with various stakeholders.
  • Designing stimulating play spaces and conducting risk-benefit assessments.
  • Choosing intervention styles to support children and extend their play.
  • Maintaining safety, health, and well-being standards.
  • Working as part of a team for site maintenance, off-site activities, and residencies.

Level 2 Playworker Core Competencies

As part of your job role, you will carry out duties that will satisfy several competencies. Some examples include:

  • Interacting with children, young people, and families from various backgrounds.
  • Completing dynamic risk-benefit assessments.
  • Supporting self-directed play.
  • Reflective practice.
  • Compliance with safety and health standards.

The Playwork Foundation

Playwork Level 2 apprenticeships are aligned with the Playwork Foundation, emphasizing the importance of child-directed and child-controlled play in children’s development. This professional recognition is a great advantage of the apprenticeship. The Playwork Foundation’s aim is to promote Playwork to policymakers, parents, the media, and the world at large, so that over time, more children benefit from the Playwork approach. Read more about the foundation here.

The Playwork Foundation Logo
The Playwork Foundation Logo

“Playwork is a practice – an art – in space and time. The role of the community and culture surrounding both the child and the playworker needs to be at the forefront of our discussions regarding the future of our practice now more than ever before”, argues Eddie Nuttall, Practicing Playworker for twenty years, Playwork Foundation.

Playworker Exam Overview

The apprenticeship for Playworkers typically spans 8months, with a 2- month EPA period.  The EPA assess your knowledge, skills, and behaviours developed during the apprenticeship.  Assessment method includes multiple-choice test, a professional decision supported by a portfolio of evidence, and an observation with questions.

Conclusion

In summary, Playworkers play a pivotal role in nurturing children’s play and creating a enriching environment where they can learnt, explore, and grow.  Their observant, supportive, and non-intrusive approach allows children to take charge of their play, fostering their independence and creativity.  As a Playworker, the ability to communicate effectively, adapt to different behaviours and learning needs, and ensure the health and well-being of children is paramount.  The role is both challenging and rewarding, offering endless opportunities for professional development and growth.

Read about our other apprenticeship offerings and more of the latest posts form our apprentice community here.

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship

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Does the prospect of an apprenticeship interest you, but you aren’t certain what route you want to take or where your skills may best serve you? Find out if a level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship could be the best fit for your career goals, in this easy to interpret guide.

An Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Apprenticeship is an ideal way to gain the skills and knowledge needed to start a rewarding career working with young children. This apprenticeship provides learners with practical experience working in a range of early years settings, such as nurseries, preschools, and primary schools.

What is an Early Years Practitioner?

An early years practitioner is a professional who works with young children from birth to five years old. They provide support and care as well as help children develop in areas such as language, social interaction, and physical coordination. A level 2 apprenticeship in this field is an excellent way to develop the necessary skills to work in this exciting and rewarding sector.

During the apprenticeship, learners will work with experienced professionals to learn about child development, play, and learning activities, as well as safeguarding and first aid. They will also learn practical skills such as communication, observation, and record-keeping while working with other professionals in a childcare setting.

What does a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Involve?

The Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Apprenticeship generally takes around 12-18 months to complete. During this period, learners will be fully immersed in the working environment while also attending classroom-based training. The apprenticeship includes practical work in a childcare setting, which is supervised and supported by a qualified early years practitioner.

The apprenticeship includes theoretical learning as well, which includes practical, written and knowledge-based activities. The subjects covered in the apprenticeship include:

– Understanding children’s development and the importance of play.
– Health and Safety in the Early Years setting
– Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
– Supporting children’s speech and language development
– Supporting children’s personal, social and emotional development

Apprentices will also work towards developing their English, Maths, and ICT skills as part of the apprenticeship.

Who is the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship for?

A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship is suitable for anyone with a genuine interest in working with young children. Applicants will need to have a minimum of grade C in English and Maths at GCSE level or equivalent, be 16 years or older, and currently working or applying to work in an early years setting.

What Skills do I need to have to excel as an Early Years Practitioner?

Listed below are 5 of the skills that will help you to excel in this role:  

– Communication skills: Early years practitioners need to communicate effectively with parents and colleagues. This involves active listening, giving clear instructions and using appropriate language and tone of voice.
– Observational skills: Being able to observe and understand a child’s behaviour, preferences and needs is crucial for an early years practitioner. Observation helps practitioners to plan activities and provide appropriate support.
– Patience: Children develop at their own pace, so early years practitioners need to be patient and supportive. This means being patient in guiding children through their learning & development, and being able to manage challenging behaviour appropriately.
– Creativity: Creativity is important in planning and organizing age-appropriate activities that stimulate children’s interest, curiosity, and imagination.
– Interpersonal skills: Building positive relationships with children and parents is essential for an early years practitioner. This involves showing empathy, respect and understanding, and being able to work collaboratively with colleagues.

Benefits of a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship

There are several benefits of undertaking an Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Apprenticeship, including:

– Practical experience working in a childcare setting.
– Attainable goals and work-based training.
– A qualification that is valued by employers.
– Opportunities to progress to advanced level qualifications.
– The ability to work with children and make a positive contribution to their development.

Conclusion

A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship provides participants with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience required to work in a childcare environment. Those who undertake this apprenticeship have opportunities to make a real difference to children’s lives while undergoing a fulfilling and rewarding career. Whether an individual is looking to begin their career in this sector or continue their professional development, this apprenticeship offers an ideal starting point.

If you’re interested in pursuing a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship, visit here for more information regarding the course.

Level 3 – Learning Mentor [New Apprenticeship]

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The origins of mentoring can be traced as far back as Homer’s Odyssey. When Odysseus leaves his home to fight in the Trojan War, he hands the care of his wife and son to his trusted friend Mentor, who took the role of teacher and overseer to his child.

Although our world has changed a lot over the last 1,300 years, the role of a mentor – particularly in the areas of learning and development – is central and still reflects the principles of its origin. Mentors are experts who guide novice learners on a personal and professional journey towards expertise.

Nowadays, mentoring takes place in all parts of the Education and Training Sector (ETS) and staff-development contexts. Learning Mentors support learners of all ages, and all levels, to develop within a new work role.  These learners may be, for example, apprentices, trainees or new recruits (ranging from young entrants to new CEOs) in the workplace, or any vocational learning environment. Mentoring is indeed the foundation of vocational training and apprenticeships, yet this standard is the first formal recognition of this role.

The importance of effective Learning Mentors

Effective mentors make a difference. They steer novice and early career learners to progress more rapidly, increase their resilience, boost their self-confidence and most importantly create an environment where their trainees can progress, thrive – and remain!

Some of the benefits of mentoring include encouraging new learners to develop more quickly, improved learning outcomes and enhanced job satisfaction. Significantly, working with an effective mentor will also help reduce the likelihood of novice learners leaving the profession.

Learning Mentor Apprenticeship

What does a Learning Mentor do and is it for you?

Learning Mentors support the development of learners’ knowledge, skills and behaviours, throughout their programme, particularly in applying theoretical learning in practical work environments (and usually on a one-to-one, or small group, basis). They give practical, technical and/or pastoral support and guidance. 

They collaborate closely with colleagues, other ETS professionals, employers and/or human resource colleagues to meet learners’ needs and achieve their potential.

In addition to specific experience and qualifications, a Learning Mentor should possess and further develop specific behaviours:

  1. Promote an ethos of motivation, aspiration and a passion for learning.
  2. Operate at all times to ethical and legal standards and within professional boundaries.
  3. Value equality and diversity and work with others to improve equality of opportunity and inclusion.
  4. Be resilient and adaptable when dealing with challenges and change, maintaining focus and self-control.
  5. Demonstrate, encourage and expect mutual respect in all professional contexts.

What experience and skills do I need to become a Level 3 Learning Mentor?

Learning Mentors will have sector-specific experience and qualifications, as determined by their employer or professional body, which they use to guide and advise those who are less experienced and new to a work role. The Learning Mentor is therefore a ‘dual professional’ having both up-to-date knowledge and skills in a specialist vocational or subject area, together with the generic skills necessary to support learners (as potentially a first step towards a secondary role as an education and training professional).

The Level 3 Learning Mentor Apprenticeship has a minimum duration of 12 months. 

Upon completion of the Apprenticeship, the Learning Mentor could progress further within their vocation specialism and/or into roles involving the assessment and coaching of vocational learners.  They may also be eligible to progress onto a full teaching role within an education and training provider organisation.     

Learning Mentor Apprenticeship

How to apply for Level 3 Learning Mentor Apprenticeship

If you are interested in applying for this apprenticeship or have any questions, please get in touch with us via our contact form HERE. 

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