Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprentice

LITTLEFEET CHILDCARE LIMITED

DERBYSHIRE (S18 2XS)

Closes in 31 days (Friday 17 April 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 17 March 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

This apprenticeship involves working in a nursery while completing a Level 3 qualification. You will support children’s learning, assist with routines, and gain hands-on experience. It’s a great opportunity to earn, gain skills, and start a rewarding career in childcare.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, shifts, may work evenings and weekends.

40 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 May 2026

Duration

1 year 6 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

  • Support children’s learning and development through play-based and planned activities.
  • Help create a caring, stimulating and inclusive environment where children feel safe and valued.
  • Assist with daily routines such as mealtimes, outdoor play and personal care (including nappy changing).
  • Support children to develop confidence, independence and curiosity.
  • Contribute to observations and planning to support each child’s individual development.
  • Work as part of a passionate team dedicated to providing high-quality early years' education.

Where you'll work

THE TRAINING CENTRE
CALLYWHITE LANE
DRONFIELD
DERBYSHIRE
S18 2XS

Training

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

Training provider

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

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.
  • 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.

Training schedule

What You’ll Gain

  • A Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
  • Valuable hands-on experience in a well-established nursery setting.
  • Ongoing support from experienced practitioners and your dedicated tutor.
  • Online training delivered by Best Practice Network (no college attendance required).
  • Excellent progression opportunities within the childcare and education sector.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 / C)
  • Maths (grade 4 / C)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

Early Years (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About this employer

We are a private, forward-thinking nursery situated in central Dronfield. Our nursery and preschool boasts 6 Qualified Teachers, a Speech and Language Therapist and an experienced staff team, to ensure your children receive the highest quality of care that optimises their development. With extensive experience in education ranging from 3 months – 11 years, we truly understand the value and importance of outstanding learning opportunities.

Our staff provide a caring and nurturing environment, where children are encouraged to explore their surroundings, develop their imagination and broaden their understanding of the world. Children are empowered to develop their creativity and become independent, motivated and enthusiastic learners. Little Feet nursery offers a safe, secure and inclusive environment. In our homely and welcoming nursery, we deliver care to children from the age of 3 months to school age. Our qualified teachers and experienced staff team intellectually stimulate, nurture and challenge each and every child, taking into consideration individual needs and interests.

https://littlefeetnursery.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Progression to Level 5 Room Lead / Supervisor. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021536.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Friday 17 April 2026 at 11:59pm)