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This mirrors the “grow-your-own” ethos that has long served the sector well and helps develop loyal staff. Importantly, the apprentice can be counted in ratio at the level below the one they are studying from aged 16 if they are judged to be “competent and responsible”. Settings can also receive a £1,000 payment for recruiting 16- to 18-year-olds as apprentices. New developments A number of recent and upcoming developments are designed to support the use of apprenticeships in the early years. The DfE is currently working with sector employers to introduce an Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship. This will complete the framework from levels two to seven and mean a practitioner can pursue their career to degree level without accruing steep course fees. The funding of apprentices is dependent on several factors that “Apprenticeships can alleviate the sector’s recruitment crisis” IN TRAINING I n recent times, the early years sector has faced a growing recruitment and retention crisis. Working with young children remains undervalued and underpaid, despite research showing that those who do so have a huge impact on their future learning and development. Even before the announcement of the early entitlement expansion, providers were struggling to recruit enough high-quality educators to meet demand. Now, with the DfE estimating an additional 40,000 qualified staff are required to deliver the expansion, the need for staff has never been greater. On-the-job training Apprenticeships are one training route that can both encourage people into the sector and provide career progression opportunities for those already employed within it. One key benefit, for both learner and employer, is the opportunity for on-the-job training and development. The apprentice’s taught programme is delivered in tandem with their work in the provision, thereby enabling and supporting them to learn by working alongside experienced staff. This hands-on approach accelerates their learning and ensures that they are equipped with the skills and expertise needed to excel in their career. The setting manager will work with the apprentice’s training provider to ensure the curriculum reflects the provision’s standards and expectations. DYNAMIC TRAINING FOR EARLY YEARS Adventures with Alice is an online digital training programme that is suitable for everyone working with babies, toddlers and young children. The training is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and merges educational theory, cutting-edge thinking and inspiring practice. In total, there are over 100 hours of training on offer, making it flexible for all sorts of providers in early years. Visit alicesharp.co.uk EARLY YEARS EVIDENCE STORE Early Years Evidence Store (EEF) has been developed with funding from the Department for Education as part of its Stronger Practice Hubs programme. The resource has been designed to empower early years professionals to use education evidence to make informed choices in their practice and implement approaches with the best chance of success. To learn more about how EEF could help you and your setting, visit educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk Train Online the training provider working with the apprentice will explain and oversee. A recent change to funding means that apprenticeship training is now fully funded for learners aged 16–21 working in a setting with less than 49 employees, extended from the previous 16–18 age limit. For learners aged 22 and above, most settings will only pay a 5% employer contribution towards apprenticeship training costs, making an apprenticeship a cost- effective training option. Another key consideration is the requirement for the apprentice to have off-the-job training (OTJ), which must take place during their paid working hours. This is calculated at 20% of a 30-hour working week, which would provide six hours OTJ training per week for the duration of their programme – an important consideration, especially if the apprentice is counted in the provision’s ratios. Deciding if your setting is able to support and employ an apprentice can be a difficult decision. But if you can, taking on an apprentice can be beneficial for all involved. Michael Freeston is director of quality improvement at the Early Years Alliance. Visit gov.uk/employing-an- apprentice or contact the Alliance for advice: call 01732 363 070 or email training@ eyalliance.org.uk Teachearlyyears.com 61