What content will be covered in the practical observation for the Early Years Lead Practitioner standard?

An observation with questions involves an End-Point Assessor observing and questioning the apprentice undertaking work, as part of their normal duties, in the workplace. This allows for a demonstration of the knowledge, skills and behaviours through naturally occurring evidence. The observation must be of the apprentice completing their usual work, and simulation is not permitted.

The apprentice must prepare a session plan, including relevant risk assessments before the observation. The session plan itself does not form part of the assessment, but the End-Point Assessor may use this to provide focus to their questions at the end of the observation. The End-Point Assessor must ask questions about the planning process in the questioning element.

The following activities must be observed during the observation:

• The apprentice interacts with a group of children through an opportunity or experience for learning based on the session plan. A minimum of three children must be present.

• The apprentice leadingervising colleagues during this session.

• The apprentice communicates with parents/carers/guardians of the children under their supervision. Depending on the nature of the setting, the location, number of children and age range varies from employer to employer, e.g a session in a woodland area, a session working within messy play and a session working with preschool children. This is not an exhaustive list.

Please note group work is defined as working with a minimum of three children.

The observation must include the following requirements:

• An early years setting working with children.

• The End-Point Assessor must be unobtrusive whilst conducting the observation.

The End-Point Assessor will ask a minimum of seven questions at the end of the observation. As only naturally occurring work is observed, those knowledge, skills and behaviours that the apprentice did not have the opportunity to demonstrate can be accessed via questioning, although these should be kept to a minimum. The End-Point Assessoask follow-up questions where clarification is required. The End-Point Assessor must use the full time available for questioning to allow the apprentice the opportunity to evidence occupational competence.

The performance observed and responses to questions will be assessed holistically.