Early Years Educator Level 3

Overview

End-Point Assessment (EPA) is the final assessment for an apprentice. An apprentice cannot achieve their apprenticeship without passing the End-Point Assessment.

EPA is an opportunity for an apprentice to showcase what they have learnt during their apprenticeship for Early Years Educator Level 3. This assessment includes a Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence and a Knowledge Test.

The End-Point Assessment for Early Years Educator Level 3 can be carried out remotely or face-to-face.

Gateway

Gateway requirements for an Early Years Educator Level 3 apprentices includes;

• Evidence the apprentice has achieved Level 2 maths and English

• Successfully complete a Level 3 Early Years Qualification

• Successfully completed a first aid qualification

• Completion of Portfolio of Evidence

Assessment Methods

Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence

The Professional Discussion is a two-way discussion which involves both the independent assessor and the apprentice actively listening and participating in a formal conversation.

This will last for 90 minutes with a minimum of 10 questions asked. Follow up questions may be asked to assess the apprentice’s depth of understanding, skills and behaviours and authenticate their Portfolio of Evidence.

Knowledge Test

Apprentices will be given 60 minutes to complete a multiple-choice Knowledge Test consisting of 35 questions. This test is completed online and will be invigilated by a NQual representative.

Certain grading criteria must be met for the apprentice to pass the Knowledge Test component. A minimum of 23 questions needs to be correctly answered for a Pass.

Results

Results will be communicated within 10 working days of the final assessment.

If an apprentice Fails one or more component, they will be offered the opportunity to re-sit / re-take the component(s). It is then up to the apprentice’s employer how many attempts an apprentice is given.

The timescale for a re-sit typically takes 2 months and a re-take 3 months (dependent on how much re-training is required). All assessment methods must be taken within a 6-month period, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be resat / retaken.

Where any assessment method must be re-sat or re-taken, the apprentice will be awarded a maximum EPA grade of Pass. Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from Pass to a higher grade.