11 learners have completed their end point assessments (epa) across eight Children 1st settings!

There’s cause for celebration this month as 11 Early Years apprentices have successfully completed their EPAs with either a pass grade or the highest mark of distinction.

Congratulations to Megan Millan and Jade Molloy at St Peter and St Paul in Chesterfield, Jaime Dwyer at Children 1^st Leicester, Abi Gregg and Niamh Allen at Main Street and Megan Hardy at Derby Road in Long Eaton, Jasmine Naylor at Children 1^st Toton, Caitlin Dobb at Plumtree in Nottingham, Sydney Napierski at Rosemary Lane and Hermione Greatbach and Eloise Porter at Acorns in Staffordshire.

Across August and September, our learners prepared to meet an external examiner to demonstrate all they have learned since they joined Children 1^st as apprentices. For 90 minutes, they each engaged in a discussion around key knowledge, skills and behaviour with an assessor from Northern Council for Further Education’s (NCFE) before sitting an extensive exam.

Kate Bickley, Senior Training and Development Manager at Children 1^st said: “We are incredibly proud of all 11 apprentices and what they have achieved since joining Children 1^st. Their recent EPA results are a testament to each individual’s investment in Early Years education and Children 1^st’s broader investment in people. We’re excited to see what the future holds for all of our newly qualified practitioners.”

To be eligible to enter the End Point Assessment, all apprentices needed to complete their main Early Years Qualification, Functional Skills, First Aid training and build an EPA portfolio, and will now progress to Level 2 Early Years Practitioners or Level 3 Early Years Educators with scope to move into senior and management positions as their careers develop.

Jaime Dwyer, one of the recently qualified Early Years apprentices from Children 1^st at Leicester said: “I first thought about working with children because I wanted to make a difference and be a positive influence. I was really excited to start my training, and it’s rewarding to see how my practice helps the children with the smallest of things.

“I’m so happy to have my Early Years qualification and even happier with my career choice. Working with children on their development and seeing how they change and become their own person is my favourite part of the job.”

Eloise Porter commented: “I love working with children and helping their development, everyone’s really friendly and helpful and I love all of the outdoor space.”

Jade Molloy added: “I chose to work with children because I think watching them develop and grow up is such a lovely thing to be part of!”