Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5

Version 1.1  |  ST0551

EPA Overview

End-Point Assessment (EPA) is the final stage of the apprenticeship and provides an opportunity for apprentices to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they have developed during their Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship.

The assessment for an Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprentice includes an Observation with Questioning and a Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence.

An apprentice cannot achieve their apprenticeship without passing the End-Point Assessment.

The Observation with Questioning End-Point Assessment component for Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 must be carried out face-to-face.

Gateway Requirements

Gateway requirements for Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprentices includes;

• Evidence of achieving relevant maths and English qualifications if required by funding regulations or the employer

• Upload of Portfolio of Evidence which must include case study evidence

• A minimum of 12 months on programme

Assessment Methods

The EPA for the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship is made up of two assessment components, both of which must be passed to achieve the apprenticeship.

Observation with Questions

The Observation with Questioning assessment involves an independent assessor observing and questioning an apprentice undertaking work, as part of their normal duties, in the workplace (simulation is not allowed).

The apprentice must prepare a session plan, to show the assessor on the day of the observation.

The total time for this assessment on the day will be 90 minutes (+10%). 60 minutes will be allocated for the observation and 30 minutes for the questioning.

A minimum of 7 questions will be asked by the independent assessor that they will use to confirm their understanding of the observation and how it demonstrates the relevant KSBs. Follow-up questions may be asked where clarification is required.

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 participating in a formal conversation.

This will last for 90 minutes (+10%) with a minimum of 8 questions asked. Follow-up questions may be asked to assess the apprentice’s depth of knowledge, skills, and behaviours. The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence. However, the portfolio of evidence is not directly assessed.

Results

NQual will communicate results within 10 working days of the final assessment.

If an apprentice fails one or more components, they will be offered the opportunity to resit or re-take the component(s) at the employer’s discretion.

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

View NQual's Support Pack document for full details about the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship assessment.