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Childcare Apprenticeship
UNICORN CHILDCARE CDE LIMITED
CHERTSEY (KT16 8AN)
Closes in 29 days (Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 2 October 2026
Summary
Are you passionate about working with children and eager to start a rewarding career in childcare? Swift Childcare is offering an exciting opportunity to earn while you learn and gain a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification!
Wage
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
The pay may be negotiated and may rise after a probation period has been successfully completed.
Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Full time hours, Monday to Friday, varied shift patterns. 40 hours a week
Start date
Tuesday 17 November 2026
Duration
1 year 2 months
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Supporting children's learning and development in a nursery or childcare setting
- Engaging children in fun and educational activities
- Ensuring a safe and stimulating environment
- Assisting with daily routines such as meals, nap times, and outdoor play
- Observing and recording children's progress
- Working closely with a team of experienced childcare professionals
Where you'll work
81 LONDON STREET
CHERTSEY KT16 8AN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SWIFT ACI LIMITED
Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
- Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
- Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
- Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
- Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
- Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
- Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
- Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
- Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
- Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
- Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
- Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
- Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
- Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
- Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
- Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
- Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
- Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
- Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
- Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
- Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
- Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Training schedule
- Remote Learning – Complete your qualification with online support from experienced tutors
- Hands-on Experience – Gain valuable skills in a real work environment
- Career Progression – Opportunities to move into full-time employment upon completion
- Dedicated Mentor – One-to-one guidance throughout your apprenticeship
- Holiday Allowance – Earn paid time off while you learn
- No Experience Needed – Full training provided


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Requirements
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: English (grade Grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade Grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- IT skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
- Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About this employer
Unicorn ChildCare is a warm, welcoming home-from-home setting caring for children aged 9 months to 4 years. We provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to learn, develop and flourish. Our qualified and enthusiastic team follows the EYFS and STEM curriculums, providing a wide range of activities including sensory play, arts and crafts, music, movement, storytelling, role play, gardening and creative learning. We are passionate about giving children the best possible start in their early years and are looking for a caring, enthusiastic apprentice who is eager to learn, develop their skills and build a rewarding career in childcare.
https://www.unicornchildcare.co.uk/about-us (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). Working towards a level 3 qualified Early Years educator. Can work towards room leadership roles long term.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SWIFT ACI LIMITED
Swift Childcare- Hannah
hls@swiftcc.co.uk
02034751326
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000051446.
Apply now
Closes in 29 days (Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
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