Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship - January 2027 start

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic apprentice to join our nursery team. This role is perfect for someone looking to start a rewarding career in childcare while gaining a recognised Early Years Educator qualification. Working alongside experienced practitioners, supporting children's learning and development through play.

As an Early Years Educator Apprentice, you will support the daily running of the nursery and help provide high-quality care and education for children.

Duties will include:

• Supporting children's learning and development through play-based activities
• Assisting with planning and delivering engaging learning experiences
• Building positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues
• Supporting children's personal, social, and emotional development
• Encouraging independence and confidence
• Helping to maintain a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment
• Assisting with mealtimes, routines, and personal care as appropriate
• Following safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies at all times
• Observing and recording children's progress
• Working effectively as part of the nursery team

The purpose of this role is to develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to become a qualified Early Years Educator.

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

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.