Package or apprenticeship? Choosing the right route to becoming a Thrive Early Years Setting

Which route to becoming a Thrive Early Years Setting is right for you?

If you're looking to strengthen personal, social and emotional development in your early years setting, there is more than one way to begin your Thrive journey.

Some settings will benefit from Thrive PSED provision, while others may also be eligible for the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship. Understanding the differences is an important first step.

To help, we've created a practical comparison guide.

    

At a glance

Here's a quick comparison of the two routes.

	PSED Provision	Level 5 Apprenticeship
Best for	Settings wanting the quickest, most direct route to becoming a Thrive Setting	Developing an eligible practitioner into a lead practice role
Timeframe	Around 3 months	Usually 18–21 months
How it's funded	Setting budget or relevant funding (such as IEYF where appropriate)	Growth & Skills Levy (eligibility applies)
Who it's for	Available to all settings	Eligible learners in England supported by their employer
Includes	Thrive Early Years Licensed Practitioner training, Thrive-Online and implementation support	Thrive Early Years Licensed Practitioner training, Thrive-Online for the duration of the programme, and a nationally recognised Level 5 qualification.

    

What's included in the guide?

The guide compares both routes in one place, including:

• who each option is designed for
• what each route includes
• how long each takes
• eligibility requirements
• funding options
• when combining both routes could be beneficial

It also includes a simple side-by-side comparison to help you decide which option best fits your setting.

    

Funding and eligibility

The guide explains how PSED provision and apprenticeships are funded differently, including information about:

• setting budgets
• Inclusive Early Years Funding
• apprenticeship funding through the Growth & Skills Levy

It also explains when apprenticeship eligibility applies, helping you identify the most appropriate route for your setting.
    
If you're considering becoming a Thrive Early Years Setting, our comparison guide will help you understand the options and choose the route that's right for your team.
  
Download: Which route to becoming a Thrive Early Years Setting is right for you?