Early Years Apprentice

Start your Early Years career with Tender Years Day Nursery

Gain hands-on experience while completing your Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship. Attend Solihull College on Mondays and work in the nursery Tuesday to Friday, with opportunities to progress to higher-level qualifications.

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)

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Hours

Monday college. Tuesday to Friday nursery 8 am/9 am till 4 pm/5.30 pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 12 October 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

3

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Support the care, learning and development of children aged 0–5 years
• Help provide fun, stimulating activities based on children’s interests and individual needs
• Build warm, positive relationships with children and support their emotional wellbeing
• Support children with daily routines, including mealtimes, sleep, toileting and personal care
• Work alongside experienced Early Years Practitioners to create a safe, welcoming and engaging environment
• Learn how to observe children’s development and contribute to planning their next steps
• Support children's communication, language, independence and social skills
• Communicate positively with parents, carers and other members of the nursery team
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety, hygiene and nursery procedures
• Help prepare and maintain play areas, resources and equipment
• Take part in staff meetings, training and professional development
• Gradually take on more responsibility as your knowledge, skills and confidence develop

Where you'll work

46A CASTLE LANE
SOLIHULL
B92 8DD

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SOLIHULL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• 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.