Early Years Senior Practitioner Diploma Level 5

Course duration – 15 months

Early Years Senior Practitioner Diploma Level 5

If you have completed a level 3 early years qualification or apprenticeship or have the equivalent practical experience in an Early Years setting and want to advance your role, the level 5 diploma for the early years senior practitioner is the qualification for you.

You will learn leadership and management skills whilst building on your knowledge and understanding relating to early years practice.

The early years senior practitioner will be a positive role model for their team. Through clear leadership and effective management, the senior practitioner will support and promote best practice within legislative requirements to enable quality provision. Working collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and parents/carers the senior practitioner engages and motivates all involved for improved outcomes for babies and children.

Why Choose a Diploma in the Early Years Sector?

A Diploma in Early Years (Childcare) is your pathway to a nationally recognised qualification, practical skills, and the confidence to succeed in a rewarding career working with children.

Unlike an apprenticeship, you don’t need to be employed in the sector to start. You can train while volunteering, on a placement, or alongside work and family commitments — making it a flexible and accessible option for career changers, school leavers, those returning to work and those in employment in an early years setting.

Benefits of a diploma:

Flexible Learning – Blended delivery with tutor-led sessions, self-study, and workplace practice at times that suit you.
Open Entry Routes – Start without a job in the sector (you’ll just need a placement or voluntary role for the practical skills elements).
Clear Progression – Available at levels 2, 3, and 5, each meeting Early Years staffing requirements and opening doors to further study or apprenticeships (to be included in staffing ratios at levels 3 & 5 an English qualification is required).
Faster Completion – Often completed more quickly than an apprenticeship.

Course overview

What's included

The course covers the knowledge and skills required to be an early years senior practitioner. This diploma is delivered through a range of methods including taught sessions, 1-1 coaching, assignments, self-study, projects and webinars. Assessment methods include observation of practice, marking of written work/assignments/projects, work-based product evidence and professional discussion. There are 18 units, covering the key topics, including model positive behaviour in early years, lead and manage an early years team, lead children’s early education and development and quality of the provision.

Eligibility criteria

This qualification is suitable for learners already working in the early years sector in a managerial role, as well as learners that may wish to develop their career or increase understanding through professional development. To be able to show competence in both knowledge and skills, learners will need to be working in the role of leader, deputy or manager in an appropriate setting, or have the opportunity to carry out responsibilities associated with these roles to be able to study for the level 5 diploma for the early years senior practitioner.

Learners must be aged 19+ and either working, volunteering or on a placement (minimum 300 hours for placements) in a management role within an early years setting. To be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan, learners must have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years (unless exempt), have the right to live and work in the UK.

Progression

Upon achievement of this higher technical qualification, you will be certificated at level 5, which is a highly sought after qualification that employers often have as a mandatory or preferable qualification when recruiting for early years managers. Careers development can continue onto senior leadership roles and through the completion of additional courses on specific subjects as part of your Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Course cost

£4,670 + VAT

There are three ways to pay for your course. You can pay in one lump sum, or by taking advantage of our 0% interest payment plans. Please note that VAT will apply to these options.

The third option is to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan, this option is available for courses at Level 3 and above. Individuals aged 19 and over can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a diploma at AKG Learning.

The UK government introduced these loans to support learners studying advanced and higher-level courses. Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks. Not everyone is eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan, you can check the eligibility requirements via the link below. Speak to us about our payment plans or to find out more about Advanced Learner Loans.

Find out More about Advanced Learner Loans

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