L4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner
The Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner is designed for:
• Experienced Early Years Practitioners – Those already working in nurseries, preschools, or childcare settings who want to advance their skills.
- Room Leaders or Senior Practitioners – Individuals looking to take on more leadership responsibilities.
- Aspiring Nursery Managers or Deputies – Those planning to progress to management roles in the early years sector.
- SEND and Safeguarding Specialists – Practitioners interested in supporting children with special educational needs (SEND) or taking on safeguarding roles.
- Childminders & Early Years Educators – Professionals wanting to deepen their knowledge and enhance their childcare practice. This course helps you develop leadership, reflective practice, and the ability to implement positive changes in early years settings.
Programme includes
The Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner includes a range of units designed to develop your skills in leadership, child development, and professional practice. Units Covered:
- Enabling children to learn
- Promoting health and well-being through physical activity and nutrition co-ordination (PANCo) in the early years
- Working with others to support children with additional needs, including Special Educational Needs and Disability
- Working with families and other professionals in early years settings
- Implementing change in an early years setting incorporating a small-scale research project
Entry requirements
This qualification is for learners aged 18+.
- L3 in Early Years
- Workplace Experience
- Grade 4/C+ in English to be included in ratios
Qualifications obtained
L4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner
Where can you work?
- Senior Early Years Practitioner
- Deputy Nursery Manager
- Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCO)
- Safeguarding Officer
- Family support worker
Key information
This programme operates on a roll-on, roll-off basis throughout the year, allowing learners to start at multiple points rather than following a fixed intake schedule.
Awarding organisation
NCFE CACHE
Progression opportunities
- L5 Diploma for the Earlyn Years Senior Practitioner
- L5 Apprenticeship Early Years Lead Practitioner
Additional information
Additional info
This programme consists of a mixture of blended learning in the workplace and optional drop in sessions at Loughborough College for additional support.
Free additional workshops -
- Neurodiversity
- Understanding behaviour that may challenge
- Safeguarding
- Paediatric First Aid (12 hour)
