Level 4 The Early Years Advanced Practitioner Course. Study online at your own pace with Quest Training South East. The course runs over 12 months, so you can fit your studies around work and other commitments. You'll deepen your knowledge of teaching and education for young children, with a strong focus on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). To enrol, you'll need a Level 3 in Childcare and a placement in a childcare setting, paid or voluntary. The Early Years Advanced Practitioner Qualification is awarded by NCFE.
Who this course is for
Our online 12-month course is perfect for Early Years Practitioners who want to advance their knowledge and skills in delivering teaching and education to children following the EYFS.
Entry requirements
Must have Level 3 in Childcare
Must have a placement in a childcare setting (paid or voluntary)
What you will learn
You'll develop advanced knowledge of the EYFS framework and how it shapes early childhood education.
You'll explore how children learn and develop across the early years age range.
You'll build skills in planning and delivering high-quality teaching experiences for young children.
You'll study approaches to observation, assessment, and tracking children's progress.
You'll examine how to support children's communication, language, and literacy development.
You'll learn how to work effectively with parents, carers, and other professionals.
You'll consider safeguarding, inclusion, and equality in early years practice.
How you will learn
This is an online course, so you study through digital learning materials you can access when it suits you. Assessment is based on written assignments and evidence of practice from your childcare setting placement. You'll apply what you learn directly to your work with children, using your placement to gather real evidence of your skills and knowledge.
What you will need to bring
Quest Training South East will confirm anything you need before you start. You will need access to a childcare setting (paid or voluntary placement) throughout the course, as this is a requirement for enrolment and for completing your assessments.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery Practitioner: senior room practitioner or lead practitioner role
Room Leader: take responsibility for a specific age group's learning
Early Years Educator: qualified practitioner counted in EYFS staffing ratios
Key Person: lead practitioner with dedicated key children responsibilities
Early Years SENCO: support children with additional needs in a setting
Childcare Manager: step toward managing a nursery or pre-school
What you could study next
Foundation Degree in Early Years or Early Childhood Studies: a natural next step if you want to move into a degree-level qualification while continuing to work in a setting.
Level 5 Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care: useful if you're moving toward a management role in a childcare or early years organisation.
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT): if you want to work toward Early Years Teacher Status and lead practice across a setting.
