Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprentice

NEXT STEP TRAINING LTD

Altrincham (WA15 7AL)

Closes in 18 days (Tuesday 26 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 7 August 2025

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Summary

Being an apprentice at NextStep Training means earning while you learn, gaining hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications. You'll receive expert training, personalised support, and a clear pathway to career progression. Enjoy discounted travel, exclusive discounts at over 350 retailers and reduced council tax.

Wage

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Pay will increase after the first 12 months of the apprenticeship.

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, varied shifts between 6:30am - 6:00pm No weekends.

35 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 27 August 2025

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

- Assist in planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities
- Promote learning through play in line with the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework
- Create a safe and stimulating environment

- Help maintain clean, safe, and welcoming learning spaces
- Follow safeguarding and health & safety procedures at all times
- Observe and monitor children's progress

- Record observations and contribute to assessments and development plans
- Share relevant information with senior staff and parents as needed
- Promote positive behaviour and social skills

- Encourage kindness, sharing, and respectful behaviour
- Use positive reinforcement and model appropriate conduct
- Assist with daily routines

- Support children during meal times, toileting, dressing, and nap times
- Help establish consistent routines for comfort and stability
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and parents

- Communicate effectively with team members, children, and families
- Participate in staff meetings and training sessions
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism

- Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow data protection policies
- Follow nursery/setting policies and procedures

- Adhere to guidelines for safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and diversity
- Support in ensuring the setting meets regulatory and quality standards

 

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. 

Where you'll work

101 Thorley Lane
Timperley
Altrincham
WA15 7AL

Training

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

Training provider

NEXTSTEP TRAINING 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

As an apprentice, you'll receive regular training alongside your job to help you develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for your role. At least 20% of your working hours will be dedicated to off-the-job training, which includes study time, workshops, and learning activities. You'll be working to complete the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, which will include any required Functional Skills in English and maths.

Training is delivered either online or in person at our training centre in Hackney, offering flexibility to suit your needs. You'll be supported by experienced tutors and assessors throughout your apprenticeship, ensuring you stay on track and successfully complete your qualification.

Requirements

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Candidates will need to pass a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check for this role.

About this employer

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 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship opens the door to a wide range of opportunities in the Early Years sector. With this qualification, individuals become fully qualified practitioners, capable of working independently with children in nurseries, preschools, and reception classes.

As they gain experience, they may progress into more senior roles such as:

Senior Practitioner or Room Leader - overseeing a team within a room, leading planning and observation, and supporting less experienced colleagues
Deputy Nursery Manager - supporting the nursery manager in daily operations, compliance, safeguarding, and staff development
Nursery Manager - leading the entire nursery setting, ensuring high standards of care and education, team performance, and regulatory compliance
To support continued growth, NextStep Training offers the following advanced qualifications within Early Years:

Level 4 Early Years Advanced Practitioner:

Ideal for those who want to specialise in areas such as SEND, safeguarding, or early language development. This course enhances practice and supports progression into leadership
Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner:

Designed for experienced practitioners ready to take on leadership roles within their settings. It focuses on leading day-to-day practice, mentoring staff, and contributing to strategy and curriculum development
Both qualifications can be delivered flexibly, either online or in-person, and include dedicated support from our experienced tutors and safeguarding officers
Further progression can include:

Moving into school-based roles such as Teaching Assistant or SEND Support
Becoming a Trainer, Assessor, or Mentor for apprentices
Pursuing a Foundation Degree or BA in Early Childhood Studies, leading towards Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Our structured training and support ensure that every apprentice has a clear and achievable pathway to long-term success in the Early Years sector

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NEXTSTEP TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000335937.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Tuesday 26 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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