Early Years Apprenticeship

Summary

Enjoy regular team events, free or discounted travel, exclusive discounts at 350+ retailers, and reduced council tax once registered as an apprentice. You’ll also receive 28 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays), company pension, rewards and incentives, plus a clear, structured career pathway.

Wage

£13,741 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 practitioner (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday, varied shifts between 6:30am - 6:00pm. No weekends.

35 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 2 July 2025

Duration

1 year

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

Training:

Your full role and responsibilities will be set out by your employer.

NextStep Training will provide you with all of the on-the-job training you need to up-skill in your role, and your 20% off-the-job learning will be incorporated as part of your working day.

You will be working towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, which includes:

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid
Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)

Qualifications required:

Knowledge of the statutory framework for the EYFS and regulatory requirements – Desirable
Fluent in written and spoken English – Essential
Passionate about learning and developing into a new role – Essential

Skills required:

Great communication skills
Excellent organisational skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Creative thinker
Passionate and reliable

Where you'll work

Lavender Pumphouse
Lavender Road
London
SE16 5DZ

Training

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

College or training organisation

NEXTSTEP TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Support babies and young children through a range of transitions.e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling
Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Identify risks and hazards in the work setting and during off site visits.relating to both children and staff
Demonstrate skills and understanding for the prevention and control of infection, including hand washing, food preparation and hygiene, dealing with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
Use equipment, furniture and materials safely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and setting’s requirements.
Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
Promote health and wellbeing in settings by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy and balanced meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning/complimentary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty/toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
Communicate with all children in ways that will be understood, including verbal and non-verbal communication.
Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
Use a range of communication methods to exchange information with children and adults.
Work with colleagues to identify and plan enabling environments, activities (both indoors and outdoors), play opportunities and educational programmes (both adult led and child initiated) to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, sharing results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory framework and setting’s requirements.
Use learning activities to support early language development.
Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
Support the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing (the graduated approach) of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
Use feedback, mentoring and/or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
Work alongside parents and/or carers and recognise their role in the baby’s/child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the baby’s/child’s care, play, learning and development.
Demonstrate how to share information with parents/carers about the importance of healthy balanced diets, looking after teeth and being physically active.
Support babies and young children through a range of transitions.e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling
Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Identify risks and hazards in the work setting and during off site visits.relating to both children and staff
Demonstrate skills and understanding for the prevention and control of infection, including hand washing, food preparation and hygiene, dealing with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
Use equipment, furniture and materials safely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and setting’s requirements.
Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
Promote health and wellbeing in settings by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy and balanced meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning/complimentary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty/toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
Communicate with all children in ways that will be understood, including verbal and non-verbal communication.
Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
Use a range of communication methods to exchange information with children and adults.
Work with colleagues to identify and plan enabling environments, activities (both indoors and outdoors), play opportunities and educational programmes (both adult led and child initiated) to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, sharing results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory framework and setting’s requirements.
Use learning activities to support early language development.
Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
Support the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing (the graduated approach) of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
Use feedback, mentoring and/or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
Work alongside parents and/or carers and recognise their role in the baby’s/child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the baby’s/child’s care, play, learning and development.
Demonstrate how to share information with parents/carers about the importance of healthy balanced diets, looking after teeth and being physically active.

Your training plan

Training is delivered through a flexible combination of in-person sessions at our training centre and online learning with our experienced tutors. Apprentices will use the Laser Learning platform to complete and submit coursework, monitor their progress, and stay engaged throughout their programme. Attendance for monthly lessons is required.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Organisation skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

About this company

Next Step Training Ltd is an apprenticeship and skills training provider, funded by the Department for Education, delivering apprenticeships in London and across England. We have been in operation since 2012 and during this time have built an established reputation as a reliable and employer-led training provider. We work together with employers and individual learners to design and deliver training programmes that meets both learners and their employers’ needs. Our goal of is to empower as many individuals as possible to reach their full potential, helping them on their journey to find meaningful career that is rewarding. We help to empower businesses with industry-expert staff so they can provide the very best learning experience to their workforce to perform better.

After this apprenticeship

Completing a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship is a valuable first step into a rewarding career in the Early Years sector. This qualification allows individuals to work under supervision in settings such as nurseries, preschools, and reception classes, supporting the care, learning, and development of young children.

After gaining experience and confidence, individuals can progress into more advanced roles such as:

Level 3 Early Years Educator – allowing practitioners to work more independently, take the lead in planning and observations, and support the development of key children.
Room Assistant or Key Person – working more closely with a small group of children, supporting their learning journeys and liaising with families.

To continue their professional development, NextStep Training offers the following progression routes within Early Years:

Level 3 Early Years Educator
This nationally recognised qualification enables practitioners to become fully qualified and take on greater responsibility within the setting, including key person duties and curriculum planning.
Level 4 Early Years Advanced Practitioner
For those who want to build specialist knowledge in areas such as SEND, safeguarding, or early language development, while supporting best practice in their setting.
Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
Designed for experienced practitioners looking to move into senior roles such as Room Leader, Deputy Manager, or Manager. The course focuses on leadership, mentoring, curriculum development, and strategy.

All our courses are delivered flexibly through a combination of in-person and online learning, with personalised support from qualified tutors and safeguarding officers.

Further career progression may include:

Transitioning into school-based roles such as Teaching Assistant or SEND Support

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: