This document provides an overview of the role of an early years practitioner. It discusses: - The skills, attributes, and knowledge needed, including being reliable, caring, and having child development knowledge. - The different settings that provide early years education and care, such as nurseries, childminders, and after school clubs. - How legislation, policies, procedures, and frameworks like the EYFS set guidelines for practitioners. - Everyday routine tasks like risk assessments, activity planning, and meeting individual needs that help ensure a safe environment for children. - The importance of understanding the scope of one's job role and limits of responsibilities.

1. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
CACHE LEVEL 3
EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR
Unit 2.1 An introduction to the
role of the early years
practitioner

2. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Teddy Tots
1. Reflect on your Teddy Tots Session What went well during
the session?
2. What might you need to improve for next session?
3. Evaluate your Activity Plans
4. Plan your activities for your next session.

3. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Starter activity
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.1]
Time: 15 mins
What will make you a good early years practitioner?
Consider:
• Your skills
• Your qualities
• Your previous experiences
• Your passion for working with children.

4. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Learning outcomes
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner
• Identify the skills, knowledge and attributes required for the role of the
early years practitioner
• Identify settings which provide early years education and care
• Describe the relationship between legislation, policies and procedures
• Describe the role of the early years practitioner in relation to current
frameworks
• Identify every day routine tasks which ensure a safe and stimulating
setting
• Describe reasons for adhering to the agreed scope of the job role

5. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Skills and
attributes
Reliable
Flexible
Adaptable
Inclusive
Caring
Patient
Organised
Motivated
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.1]

6. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Skills are things we can do.
Attributes are qualities or characteristics we have.
As well as a wide range of skills and attributes early years practitioners
will need a good level of knowledge in many areas, including:
• Child development
• Observation and assessment
• Safeguarding and welfare
• Legislation, policies and procedures
• Working with others.
Skills, knowledge and attributes
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.1]

7. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Pairs activity
Time: 15 mins
Look at the information on slides 4 and 5 and discuss how
specific skills, knowledge and attributes will support you as an
early years practitioner.
For example:
• Being organised
• Having a good level of knowledge of child development
• Being motivated.
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.1]

8. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
There are many settings which provide early years education and
care, including:
• Crèche
• Toddler group
• Playgroup
• Daycare or day nursery
• Nursery schools and nursery classes
• After school clubs
• Childminders
A range of early years settings
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.2]

9. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Identify your career aspirations, highlighting what employment
pathway you are aspiring to? Group up into employment
pathways.
Employment Research

10. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
What qualifications are needed for this role?
What is the average wages received in this role?
What are common working hours in the job?
What are the main roles and responsibilities for this job?
Research an appropriate job in your local area and match your
skills, making a development plan to meet requirements needed.
Employment Research

11. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Classroom discussion activity
Time: 15 mins
Discuss your own experiences of different types of early years
education and care providers.
Consider:
• Have you had work experience in one of the settings?
• Do you have young family members who attend one of the
settings?
• What are the main differences between each of the settings?
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.2]

12. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Legislation is a law (or laws) passed by Parliament, for example:
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Children Act 2004.
Policies give an outline of how a setting aims to comply with
legislation, for example:
• Confidentiality Policy
• Behaviour Policy.
Procedures give a detailed explanation of what to actually do in
practice.
Legislation, policies and procedures
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.3]

13. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
• The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards to
be followed for children from birth–5 years.
• Early years practitioners are required to follow the EYFS to
support the learning and developmental needs of all children,
assess their progress and uphold the safeguarding and welfare
requirements.
• Early years practitioners will also work in partnership with
parents/carers to meet the holistic needs of the child.
Current frameworks
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.4]

14. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
There are many everyday routine tasks that early years
practitioners have to carry out to ensure the setting is safe and
stimulating. These include:
• Risk assessments
• Checking equipment is safe
• Hygiene checks
• Security during arrival and departure
• Planning activities
• Meeting individual needs.
Everyday routine tasks
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.5]

15. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Group activity
Time: 20 mins
Discuss why each of the everyday routine tasks identified on
slide 11 is important.
Consider:
• The benefits to the child
• The impact on the setting
• The role of the practitioner.
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.5]

16. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Early years practitioners must know the limits and boundaries of
their role and it is important that they observe these closely.
Early years practitioners need to know what to do in a range of
situations, for example:
• Fire drill
• Accident or illness
• Complaint from a parent/carer
• Concerns over a child’s health or welfare
• Confidentiality.
Scope of the job
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.6]

17. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Extension activity
Time: 15 mins
Create a list of what you do and do not do in the setting, for
example:
• I do sit with children at activities
• I do not answer the phone.
Why is it important to know this information?
If you have not yet started in a setting then consider what you
should and should not do when you do start.
LO1. Understand the role of the early years practitioner [AC 1.6]

18. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
 An Early Years Practitioner will need a range of skills and attributes to be
able to work effectively with children.
 There are many settings which provide early years care and education
and Early Years Practitioners will work in all of them.
 Legislation, policies, procedures and frameworks will set guideline for
Early Years Practitioners.
 Every day routines will ensure a safe and stimulating environment for
children.
 Practitioners will need to know their limits and boundaries to ensure they
carry out their job effectively.
Summary

19. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator© Hodder & Stoughton Limited
1. Name three attributes needed to be an early years practitioner.
2. List three early years education and care providers.
3. Name four everyday routine tasks to keep children safe.
Summary: plenary activities