Frequently asked questions
It’s designed to help you grow as a leader in your setting, while developing a deeper understanding of child development, emotional wellbeing and behaviour. You’ll apply your learning in your day-to-day role, building the confidence and skills to lead practice and support others.
- Be working and interacting daily with children aged 0 to 5 in a setting that delivers the EYFS learning and development requirements
- Have experience in a relevant role
- Have support from an employer and levy account holder
- Be based in England
- Have held a residency in the UK for the last three years
- Have achieved GCSE grade C (4) or above in English and maths or be able to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 in these areas whilst on programme (mandatory for ages 16-18). If you’re over 18, you will agree with your setting as to whether you need to complete Functional Skills as part of your apprenticeship.
Employers will need to allow full-time apprentices six hours per week of off-the-job training. Part-time apprentices must allocate 20% of their working hours for this purpose.
Employers will also offer a mentor and facilitate the apprentice’s monthly virtual sessions and overall development.
It’s fully funded for those working in local authority schools or those paying into the Growth and Skills Levy (formerly the apprenticeship levy). For non-levy payers, the government offers co-funding, covering 95% of the cost, or levy transfers are available for additional support.
Download information about the apprenticeship levyYes, this programme is more comprehensive and requires a higher level of commitment. Over 18–21 months, you’ll complete the Thrive Licensed Practitioner training alongside the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship standard. This includes developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the role, as well as dedicating around 20% of your working time to off-the-job training.
If your main goal is to become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner without the apprenticeship element, the Thrive PSED provision for early years settings offers a shorter route. This focuses on Thrive training and can be a good option if you’re not looking to take on a leadership qualification at this stage.
The apprenticeship, however, offers a broader opportunity to develop your leadership practice, deepen your understanding of child development and emotional wellbeing, and achieve a nationally recognised Level 5 qualification. It’s well suited to those who are ready to take the next step in their career and lead practice across their setting.
Yes, it’s equivalent to a foundation degree (Level 5).
You’ll gain both a recognised leadership qualification and Thrive Licensed Practitioner status, alongside practical experience in your role.
This means you’ll be able to:
- Lead and support practice with confidence
- Understand and respond to children’s needs more effectively
- Strengthen relationships across your setting
- Contribute to a more consistent, nurturing environment
Due to the time commitment, we recommend that only one candidate per setting takes part on any given cohort.
This apprenticeship helps practitioners become more confident in understanding children's needs and responding in ways that are thoughtful, inclusive and developmentally appropriate. It supports adults to stay curious about what a child may be communicating through their behaviour, rather than reacting only to what is seen on the surface.
The Early Years Licensed Practitioner course strengthens understanding of relationships, early development, stress, play, communication and environments. SEND is woven through the course, so practitioners are supported to notice need earlier, think more clearly about what may help, and make adaptations that support young children to feel safer, more settled and more able to be able to engage.
Yes, sessions are scheduled within typical working hours, with options for morning or afternoon sessions to align with off-the-job training requirements.
This apprenticeship is a work-based programme for people already in employment.
Your employer will need to give you time during your working hours each week for activities and learning related to your apprenticeship. This is called off-the-job training.
Best Practice Network and Thrive will work with employers to ensure this time is spent on activities that both build the apprentice’s capabilities and benefit the organisation.
Off-the-job training can include:
- Thrive training
- Inset days
- In-house training
- Mentoring
- Shadowing
- Conferences & seminars
- Reflective learning
- Networking
- Project work
- Research
The exact blend of activities will be agreed with the apprentice and employer at the start of the programme.
Full-time apprentices are required to have six hours per week of off-the-job training, while part-time apprentices must allocate 20% of their working hours for this purpose.
Everything you learn is designed to be applied in your day-to-day work.
You’ll build confidence in how you:
- Support children’s development and wellbeing
- Respond to behaviour
- Work with colleagues and families
- Lead and improve practice
This apprenticeship is a strong fit for organisations working directly with babies, toddlers and young children in early years contexts. That includes private nurseries, day nurseries, preschools, childminders, childminder networks and other early years providers. It is especially well suited to settings that want to strengthen inclusive practice, improve support for children with SEND, and build a more consistent relational approach across the team. It also helps develop staff confidence in understanding and meeting children’s needs.