Level 2 Early Years Practitioner standard
Proposed revisions

As a leading EPAO we pride ourselves on delivering end-point assessments in a way that meets industry needs, making it manageable for employers to support their apprentices to undertake assessments whilst balancing cost efficiencies. Therefore, we always strive to have a voice in any revision processes to advocate for the sector and ensure your voice is heard. 

Proposed revisions

The revised assessment:

  • removes the Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (RQF) mandatory qualification from the process

  • replaces that qualification with a 50-minute observation of practice (with a 30-minute Q&A)

  • reduces the professional discussion from 90 minutes to 60 minutes

  • mandates on-site assessments held during working hours. 

Assessments will continue to be delivered by an independent organisation separate from the training provider working with your apprentices

We pride ourselves on delivering end-point assessments that meet industry needs. We make it manageable for employers to support their apprentices in undertaking assessments while balancing cost efficiencies. Therefore, we always strive to have a voice in any revision processes to advocate for the sector and ensure your voice is heard. 

This is why we’re letting you know about proposed changes to the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner standard and the potential impact they could have on its delivery and your apprentices.

Summary of revisions 

The changes are detailed in the table below:

Impact assessment

The proposals come with a number of drawbacks that are summarised below. 

Knowledge test
TQUK does not support the removal of the knowledge test, which is a valid assessment method at level 2 and provides flexibility to employers and apprentices through online assessment.   

Professional discussion 
TQUK supports the continued inclusion of the professional discussion assessment. It offers apprentices an excellent opportunity to demonstrate occupational competence and can be undertaken remotely, supporting cost-effective delivery that creates no additional logistical problems. 

Observation of practice
TQUK does not support the addition of a single, pre-planned 50-minute onsite observation assessment. This approach does not necessarily reflect consistent good practice over time, as required by the current mandatory qualification, which is now being removed. Additionally, an observation is burdensome for the apprentice, the organisation, and the children.

Have your say

The Early Years Alliance will be holding a webinar to consult on the proposed changes to the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner standard on 8 October at 6:30pm.  

This represents a further opportunity for you to understand more about the revision and to share your views on the manageability of the revised assessment methods in practice.   

The link below also contains a link to a survey, where you can let us know your thoughts so that we can advocate for the sector.

Please take 10 minutes to complete this survey and, if possible, join the Early Years Alliance Webinar on 8 October 2024 at 6:30pm